Cameron Diaz: ‘We don’t need any more kids. We have plenty…’

stella mccartney home 070609

Cameron Diaz is speaking out about motherhood, and whether she ever wants kids. This comes from a new Cosmopolitan interview (excerpts via The Daily Mail). Cameron seems relatively ambivalent about motherhood at this stage in her life – she says she doesn’t know “what’s going to happen… I could end up adopting half a dozen kids, or I could end up being the next Octomom.” She also speaks out on the shifting societal standards set for women – whether women still feel like they can’t admit publicly that they have no interest in being a mother. Then Cameron says, “We don’t need any more kids. We have plenty of people on this planet.” Yikes. I’m sure there will be people who violently agree or disagree with her, but if Cameron really feels that the planet is overpopulated, why is she leaving her options open to have biological children?

Hollywood star Cameron Diaz has spoken out in defense of women who don’t want children. The 36-year-old Hollywood actress said there were already enough people living on the planet.

But she also said she was not ruling out having children herself.

Diaz told Cosmopolitan magazine: ‘I think women are afraid to say that they don’t want children because they’re going to get shunned. But I think that’s changing too now. I have more girlfriends who don’t have kids than those that do. And honestly? We don’t need any more kids. We have plenty of people on this planet.’

On whether she wants children of her own, Diaz said: ‘I never say never. I don’t know what’s going to happen.’

‘I could end up adopting half a dozen kids, or I could end up being the next “octomum”.’

Speaking about potential boyfriends, she added: ‘What’s changed from 10 years ago is that now I want a man who knows who he is. Someone who understands himself, has already dealt with his issues and who can say: “I see where I’ve been foolish before and I’m not going to be like that again”.’

The full interview appears in the July issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, on sale tomorrow.

[From The Daily Mail]

I find myself slightly identifying with Cameron – at this stage in my life, I’m pretty ambivalent about motherhood too. But I know for sure that I don’t ever want to be another Octomom, and I don’t want to adopt a dozen kids. I think Cameron’s correct when she points out that many prominent women feel that they can’t admit that they don’t want to be mothers, or that taking time off from their career isn’t in the cards, et cetera. It doesn’t really matter to me, but it sure upsets a lot of people.

Here’s Cameron at the eco garden picnic and screening of ‘Home’ held at the Stella McCartney boutique in Los Angeles last Friday. Images thanks to WENN.com .

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61 Responses to “Cameron Diaz: ‘We don’t need any more kids. We have plenty…’”

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  1. audrey says:

    that quote actually makes me like her.

  2. jenn says:

    On a completely shallow note, Cameron is looking rough. Too much sun, I think.

  3. GimmeABreak says:

    Never been a fan, but “AMEN, honey!” Way too many breeders out there.

    AND you’re not allowed to get all breeder-like and start commenting on how it changed your life having kids and how wonderful they are. FYI…it changes everyone else’s life around you in restaurants, too!

  4. Annie says:

    She makes a good point about the planet already having too many people…but still, I find something annoying about that statement, no matter who makes it. I mean, there should be a limit, but many of us want to have our own biological children. It’s a need and a right because then you start to go down to who gets to and who doesn’t deserve to etc.

    That is to say of course, that there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with adoption. And that these children are just as special.

  5. mxml says:

    is it really that taboo for women to say they don’t want kids?

  6. Kathy says:

    Speaking from experience, as I can’t have kids due to cancer, the reason Cameron has more friends who don’t have kids than ones who do is not because societal norms are changing, it’s because Moms grow away from their women friends who don’t have kids. It’s sad, but it’s just the way it is. There’s not much in common, anymore. I’m sure Cameron has found it annoying when one of her Mom friends talked about their kids’ full diaper like Jesus had shat in it. I’m also sure her friends’ with kids find it annoying when she opens her mouth. At all. Let alone when she rings forth about a subject such as this.

  7. Scorpiogal says:

    Wow- she looks way older than her years with those sunken eyes and crow’s feet! That’s the price you pay when you’re a fair complexion but insist on tanning constantly…

  8. TinaWithPom says:

    I think it’s hard for some women to come right out and say that they’re either ambivalent about having children, or that they simply do not want children. This is especially true for some of my friends who are Christian and attend church; so much judgment is passed on them by other members of the congregation, from disapproving, but benign, tongue clucks to rather vicious insinuations. Then again, I live in a community where it seems like every fourth woman is either pregnant and/or already has a young child in tow.

    I’m definitely in support of adoption. Even though my husband and I already have biological children, if our finances allow it, we will adopt. Giving a loving and secure home to a child already born seems… right. Again, this is my own opinion. Feel free to disagree.

  9. HEB says:

    I think she’s just scraping up things to say because people keep asking her this over and over again

  10. Menace says:

    What a bimbo. If she really believes that the earth is overcrowded, she shouldn’t even consider having kids. Adopting, sure, but popping them out Octomom style? Never.

    I’m not seeing a huge taboo against women who don’t want kids. If someone doesn’t want them, fine. Who cares?

    Though the idea of this airhead reproducing is a tad scary.

  11. Lisa says:

    Well, I liked her before, but like her even better now. It really annoys me that women judge other women so harshly for having the balls to admit they don’t know if they want to have children…..I remember feeling like that too….At least she’s honest enough to admit it…

  12. Lex says:

    correct me if i’m wrong, but ohhh let’s say about six years ago one ms. angelina said something reeeeally similar. She was all about the adopting, and how with so many parentless kids in the world she’d never have her ‘own’ kids- and then along came brad.

    Just saying that it seems ones choices about children evolve as your position in life evolves. I could definitely see cam changing her mind if her situation changed. But one way or the other- if the means are there and its something you are truly interested then the more the merrier

  13. Momof3 says:

    I love my kids, work to provide for their support, insist they behave in public, help them do well in school and fully expect them to be contributing members of society.

    I respect women who chose not to have children, but I can not tolerate women who have children they can’t or won’t provide for or take care of. Being a mother is more then spawning a litter of snot-nosed miscreants that the rest of society is forced to support.

    It’s not the number of kids in the world – it’s the lack of mothers and fathers who actually take care of children!

  14. Annie says:

    Oh, I have no issue with a woman who says she doesn’t want kids, I know a ton and to each their own, for me it was the population control comment.

    And I definitely see the argument about not having much in common when your friends all have kids and you don’t.

    For me, it’s more like, I have a dog and like he’s my baby! So I don’t have a strong desire to party and I’m always telling stories about him, and my friends who don’t have that, who still want to party and stuff, we don’t talk as often, but the friends who are on the same page as I am, we’re always gabbing on, perhaps for hours about our dogs and things we did that day with said dog. LOL

  15. wow says:

    what she said wouldn’t be be so stupid sounding, if she was 14, or even 24.

    She’s 34 for sh*t’s sake, hasn’t she thought it out further than making contradicting statements like this?

    I like that she’s a free spirit type, but damn, she comes off as shallow and stupid sometimes.

  16. TinaWithPom says:

    Annie – lol! Even WITH kids, I totally relate to bonding over dog stories. We have a pomeranian and a boxer, and I can bore (dog-less) friends to death with my dog stories.

    Momof3 – I agree. I’d add “financially insolvent women who continue to have children with deadbeat husbands” and “families who completely fund their lifestyles on CREDIT, and have debt to their ears, but continue have children” to the list.

  17. Melissa says:

    People will often say that they don’t want something when they are actually afraid that they CAN’T have it. Now in another ten years, if she is still childless (by circumstance or choice)she can say, “I never definitively said I WANTED kids.”

  18. Melanie says:

    I actually just stumbled on a website about this exact motto. It’s http://www.vhemt.org/index.htm#top

    There’s lots of arguments as to why people shouldn’t be having kids and goes so far as to say we should let ourselves become extinct for the good of the world.

    It also makes an obvious but interesting point that not having a child is equal to saving 100% of 72 years worth of pollution.

    It’s worth a glance.

  19. Call Me Al says:

    I kind of feel sorry for her. She seems self-absorbed and I can’t say I wouldnt be if I were her. She was gorgeous but seems to have messed it up with some plastic surgeries and too much sun.

  20. wow says:

    Totally agree with Cameron. Good for her for stating it too. Some of the women who physically have babies can be annoying when they harp on their friends by asking “when are you going to have one?” I seriously feel like telling them “Probably around the same time your divorce is finalized”. Its just too personal of a topic. Gah!

    Sometimes women take it too far!

  21. I totally agree with Cameron. I’m very ambivalent about motherhood and the thought of reproducing at this stage in the game seems so . . . selfish (hormonal surges not withstanding).

    Momof3 = Right on. You’re statement completely supports my logic, and I couldn’t have said it better, myself.

  22. Neelyo says:

    Thank goodness she said it. When an actress hits a certain age in Hollywood, say 21, the media starts asking them over and over when they’re going to have children. I think i’m sick of it, i can’t imagine how they feel.

    Most celebrities are about as qualified as a crack addict to raise a child. They shouldn’t be encouraged to breed.

  23. the original kate says:

    there is a tremendous amount of pressure on women to have children. i chose not to have them, and all through my 20s i heard from complete strangers that i should, or that i would change my mind. well, i didn’t and i haven’t. now that i am in my late thirties the pressure is even worse: “hurry! you only have a few more years left!” so insulting…like a baby is a prize to be won at a raffle or something! this is a choice i have thought about carefully. i don’t like kids that much and the idea of squeezing an 8 pound baby through my vagina does not appeal. if i were to have kids i would adopt because i believe there are too many people on this planet. our resources are finite and are stretched to the limit at the moment. we need to adopt more children and stop breeding. and i don’t get the whole “but i want to have my own” line that so many people use. isn’t an adopted child your own? can’t you love it as much as if it were yours biologically? if not then maybe you are having children for the wrong reasons.

  24. bob lawblaw (nony) says:

    hmm, my comment went to dumb halo scan for some reason.

    I am pretty ambivalent to birthing children as well. Everyone told me I’d change my feelings when I got married…turns out, not so much.
    My husband and I have three dogs that are our family, or fur-babies if you prefer, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

    I could see us one day adopting, but is it so crazy that we don’t want the same race? We checked it out online and most adoption agencies frown upon inter-racial adoption. I guess I can see their archaic concern, but it’s exactly that, archaic. Realistically, we could adopt a baby girl from China, before an African-American baby boy, this seems fundamentally wrong to me.

    Maybe someone else with actual experience can shed some light on this for me.

  25. Of course there are exceptions (Octomom) but if she’s talking about bio-kids, it’s not only what she wants. You have to find the right father. I’m neither totally for nor against having kids myself. My boyfriend is a wonderful father but doesn’t want more kids so that kind of makes my choice easy. While we both have working parts, I’m not about to get myself knocked up by someone who isn’t 100% into having a new baby friend.

  26. happymom says:

    I have 4 dc myself-but I never understand why anyone pressures or judges those who decide (for WHATEVER reason) not to have children. It’s a huge commitment of time/energy/finances to raise kids. If people want to have none, or adopt or have a combo of bio/adopted children-it’s THEIR choice.

  27. wow says:

    why do people compare their pets to children?

    I mean, are people serious when they say this, or is it kind of a tongue-in-cheek comparison?

    Or like, a way to play ‘make-believe’ without the diapers or emotional commitment?

    I’m serious, by the way, no offense meant…

    It’s just I’ve never heard people who actually have children do this.

  28. Annie says:

    You’re right. There’s no comparison between pets and children.

    Pets don’t talk back.

  29. VioletGirl says:

    And, don’t forget, that you can sell the offspring, too, Annie!@!

  30. bob lawblaw (nony) says:

    @ wow

    My sister says that she has two human children, and two canine children.

    I’m sure plenty of people do it, you’re maybe just not into animals as much as humans. No offense meant.

    BTW when you say things like “playing make-believe” and “people who actually have children”, that sounds pretty condescending and offensive. Some people may view their pets as their children because they are physically unable, and adoption is too expensive.

    Besides, no matter how many times I yell at my Schnauzer to stop peeing on my favorite rug, I know she won’t stab me while I’m sleeping.

  31. cockadoodle says:

    don’t want kids. i’m sick of people nagging us about kids. if you don’t want them don’t have them. if you want them have them. but people shouldn’t have them because they think they should. also if you are going to have them, teach them how to behave in public. also screaming kids on planes should be outlawed. i’ve met some really well behaved sweet kids but there are so many that are absolute terrors. i’ll stick with my cute kitties.

  32. Ned says:

    She should leave her options open, since she might change her mind, and the window of opportunities to have children will be closed forever.

    It is very sad when a woman who has the means to support and raise children is thinking about the planet, while people who can barely support themselves keep having children they neglect and barely see or support.

    We don’t need more children who are not being cared for, but that’s not going to happen if Cameron would decide to have children.

    I actually think she would be a great mother.

    She is thinking about the responsibility that comes with that, and that’s the right mode of thinking.

  33. the original kate says:

    “You’re right. There’s no comparison between pets and children. Pets don’t talk back.”

    amen, annie! pets also don’t call you to bail them out of jail, flunk out of college, move back home with their kids, constantly ask you for money, and put you in an old age home. LOL.

  34. Codzilla says:

    Oh, and you can’t leave children at home alone when go out to the clubs. And barring special circumstances, pets don’t require round-the-clock care that translates into countless sleepless nights, etc. As a proud Mom to both children and multiple pets, I can say without question that human kids are in a different universe when it comes to care and commitment. Which is why people who don’t want children should follow their hearts, rather than bow to societal pressure and end up miserable and overwhelmed.

  35. MJ says:

    Sorry, but the planet truly IS WAY over-populated already. Any scientist or researcher on the subject will tell you the Earth can really only properly sustain itself with about 2 or 3 billion humans, max. We should NOT be pumping out more and more babies recklessly with no plan of population control in sight. It’s irresponsible.

  36. Cinderella says:

    I think Cameron’s situation is more like she wants children, but she can’t find anyone to start a family with her.
    Look back at the guys she’s dated, and seriously, were any of them father material?? Matt Dillon, Jared Leto, Justin Timberlake, Criss Angel??

  37. PJ says:

    When Cameron said ‘I think women are afraid to say that they don’t want children,’ I think she was talking about herself. She’s afraid of a negative reaction from the public if she came out and said she didn’t want a baby.

    The celebrity media is deeply into kids–constantly photographing celeb kids, baby bumps, and following the lives of celeb babies (Suri and Shiloh turn 3!) For a celeb, all you have to do is go to the store with your cute baby in tow and it’s automatic good publicity.

    Would anybody take pictures of Jennifer Garner if she didn’t have little Violet, one of the cutest kids ever? I think not.

  38. PJ says:

    Hideous makeup, by the way. This new look of bright red lipstick and understated eyes is really in at the moment, but it’s unflattering even on gorgeous women like Cameron & Angelina. If they can’t look good in it, who can?

  39. Laura says:

    I think it’s funny how you may defend her but brangelunatics say it was jen’s fault for not having children with brad and therefore it was her fault her marriage failed.

    tsk tsk

  40. lrm says:

    okay,but she [nor you] do not have to shun child bearing b/c ‘there are too many people on the planet’,as though others should not make that choice.
    And,yea,I have one child,and I planned it and am thrilled!!!
    It’s true,you do end up by default gravitating towards other parents/families-but that’s just inherent. The same way you say,gravitate towards other people who lead a similar lifestyle or have similar interests.
    That said,I also have plenty of friends who do not have children,or even whose children are fully grown. i just don’t spend every weekend with them anymore….
    Either way,there’s no need for CD to justify her reason by condemning [indirectly],other women’s choices.
    Please,women,I’m happy for your choice to not be a mother; be proud of it,be where you need to be. But don’t be the ‘population police’,as though those who choose to have kids are ignorant ‘breeders’. [nice term,whoever said that].
    And while we’re at it,DO NOT act like your dog is the same thing as my child. Total side note there,but honestly,if you treat your dog as though it’s your child,that really shows there is an inherent subconscious need/desire to parent. It’s innate,perhaps.
    But that’s the part that gets me-this dog madness,and acting like kids are parasites.
    Um,if you feel your dog is better than having a child,it actual reveals that you have innate parenting drives.
    Oh,and children are the same species as adults,for god sake.

    Main point: Live and let live. Don’t project your issues onto me,same way women/celebrities who are childless by choice wish to be free of others’ projections.
    Works both ways.

  41. westindya says:

    for the people who are taking offense… she doesn’t have to decide right then and there if she wants kids. who knows how she will feel 10 years from now. HOWEVER, she has to right to say she does not want to biologically have kids and that there are plenty of children on the planet who need a home without her adding one to the equation.

    if you feel the need to have a biological child, then get on with it. if not, so be it. one is not better than the other. it’s a matter of personal choice.

    as a CF (childfree woman) in her 30’s i am so SICK of everyone have an opinion about people breeding. if people really cared so much crap like Octomom would not be happening. ugh.

  42. whatever says:

    I agree w/her and I love her for saying it. No more John and Kates or Octomoms! Why do people think their genes are SO great? Just adopt if you want that many kids.

  43. orion70 says:

    “I think Cameron’s situation is more like she wants children, but she can’t find anyone to start a family with her.”

    Why do people always assume that women such as this “just haven’t found the right man”, or will change their minds as soon as a white knight blazes in to set their loins afire with maternal urges ? I know a few childless couples, and I can honestly say they ARE with the right man, and are very happy together.

    I don’t have kids myself, but people really don’t think sometimes when they’re constantly harping on a single woman or a couple about why they haven’t had kids yet etc. Even choices aside, some people can’t have kids, and shouldn’t have to defend that to people (or discuss it). I know a couple as well, who had problems for a few years, including miscarriages, until they had kids. People were constantly doing the “hey, why haven’t you guys had kids yet?” or “c’mon, time to get cracking!” sort of comments, all the while this couple were silently suffering through miscarriages. People REALLY should think through what they’re about to say.

    I agree that the world is busting at the seams, people wise, but there are many many reasons for this, including increased births.

    As an aside, I know you can’t compare kids to dogs, but it sure gives you some idea about whether you’re up for the task of taking care of ANY living being besides yourself. And you guys must have some mighty healthy animals if you’ve never had a few sleepless nights with one. If you can still go to work with a smile after being up all night with a puking / shitty dog, well then, maybe you are allowed to breed, 😀

  44. HashBrowns says:

    I can see comparing a pet and a child in the sense that you care about a child and a pet in the same way.

    Some people don’t see pets as family members and that is their prerogative.

    My dog gets Christmas presents, has his own spot on my mom’s bed, has a birthday party every year complete with dog treat “cake” and presents, rides with my mom whenever she leaves the house and has his own language of telling us when he wants something (to go outside, to get treats, to hop up on the couch and such).

    My family have always cared for our pets above and beyond what is necessary for them to merely survive. My younger sister was literally depressed for the day and a half that the dog went missing (he was hiding from the gardeners who let him out of the backyard) and was in tears when he came back.

    I don’t know what it’s like to have a child but my mom sure does and she told us that for certain people, having a pet is equivalent in terms of love and protective instinct anyway, to having one’s own child. And there is no reason to begrudge someone the right to love an animal like they would a human child.

    Some people, like my family, are emotionally committed to our animals. My mom is emotionally committed to the dog just like she’s emotionally committed to us. He goes to the dentist, he goes to the vet, he gets groomed, he has birthdays, he gets love and affection constantly and we’re always teaching him new things. If he were to die (too early, he’s about 6 years old), my mom’s world would end; all of our worlds would end, at least for awhile.

    And on topic: It is not contradictory to say that the world is overpopulated but you might want to have your own kids some day. I think she was just “stream of consciousness” talking and a bunch of thoughts about children and having kids came out without much thought given to what she was actually saying.

  45. Aspen says:

    I’ve never had judgment for women who don’t want children.

    They sure seem to have a lot of bitter resentment towards me, though, and the hostility they show my daughter in public is inexcusable.

    My daughter was four, and I had her sitting with me in a library. She was silently sitting and turning the pages of her borrowed book while I filled out some forms at a table with her. During the 10 minutes we were there, several grown assed people came by and gave my little girl dirty looks, and one of them actually looked at me and said in a loud voice, “The KIDS room is over there,” and pointed. The librarian heard and came over shortly afterward to tell me there was no problem with my kid sitting with me.

    The idea that someone would be irritated to rudeness simply by the SIGHT of a child disturbs me. People like that have issues.

    There are other examples, but I’ll refrain. I never allow my child to misbehave in public. EVER. Never have. I still have to put up with sighing, nasty stares, and snide comments on a pretty regular basis from women (it’s always women) who hate children and don’t think they should ever have to see any out in public.

    As to the fertility harrassment, I think that women without kids should tolerate their families’ interest to a reasonable degree because their families have an investment in you. They want you to give them grandbabies, and they have dreams that involve your reproductive future. Treating them with contempt is way more rude than a few passing comments from time to time about when you’re gonna get pregnant.

    From the general public or from people who don’t know you well…it’s rude, and you should humble them whenever they presume to put you on the spot about having kids. Ans don’t let ANYONE tell you that you’re selfish for not wanting any. Get in their faces and say, “Why on EARTH would you say such a thing to me?” if you get that kind of treatment. Calling rude people up short generally makes the point and almost always shuts them the hell up.

    ———————
    I used to BE the one that didn’t want children. My husband and I experienced a double-method failure of some kind and I got knocked up at the age of 28.

    I love my daughter and like being a mom. I never planned it and never would have.

    His family used to call me selfish behind my back because they knew I didn’t want kids, and that really hurt my feelings. I still don’t like them…mostly because of that, but you can imagine that people like this gave more than one reason.

    I’ve experienced hostility on both sides, and trust me, the crap you catch for HAVING kids is way more venomous than the crap you catch for not having them.

    Just be nice to one another. Be NICE to the kids who are being well-behaved. It’s not like smiling at a child who’s being good is going to rub fertility cooties on you.

    Smile at a mother who handles a discipline situation in public well, and remember that mothers don’t always have the choice to leave their kids home when they shop, run errands, or just walk around outside. That child is a member of your society whether you like it or not…and being mean to that child’s mother makes you a horrendously callous person.

    Yes, it does.

    I have ZERO judgment for women who don’t want kids, but when they start showing contempt for the very existence of my child, I feel like suggesting they either go to therapy and get their “kid/mom” issues dealt with or stay inside and keep their grumpy asses out of society.

  46. Orangejulius says:

    Hashbrowns, that’s more than I do for my animals and I’m pretty sure I spoil them very much, but you’re right in that everyone has the prerogative to make their animals as much a part of the family as they feel like.

    And, of COURSE it’s an innate instinct for people to adopt animals as their substitute children. How they choose to fulfill that need is completely up to them as long as it isn’t hurting anyone.

    .

  47. Geebz says:

    Amen to Aspen.

    I am a mother of 1 adorable and well-behaved boy and you would think that he was infected with ebola the way we are treated at some restaurant and other public places.

    What “anti-breeders” fail to realize is that at one point they too were children. Children learn from ALL of us and when you treat a child with hostility just for being here…you teach hate.

    If you don’t want kids, fine. Who cares but you and your family? Really? Random strangers question you on when you’re going to take the plunge? I think not. Sounds like a LOT of issues going on that need to be worked out. Get that help and then stop being an ass.

    Thanks.

  48. orion70 says:

    Aspen, why are you assuming that all these women who are giving your kid dirty looks don’t have kids? Were they wearing an “i’m barren” or “I say NO! to children” sticker on their sweater? Were they branded or something?

    People with kids give kids dirty looks too you know. Think outside the box a little, people do sometimes go to libraries and leave their kids at home, and consequently these people could also have been one of the ones throwing darts your way that day.

    Remember what they say about assumptions.

  49. HashBrowns says:

    @Aspen: I think the trouble with taking your kid to the library, especially one around the age of 4, is that they are very unpredictable. One minute they are fine, the next they are crying about pooping their pants or having to go to the bathroom or they’re booooored or they’re hungry or “look mommmy, look!” or something. There is no excuse for anyone to be directly rude to a child though or to be directly rude to you. I’m just saying that there is a reason and probably others about why having a 4 year old around in a library isn’t the best idea.

    I think moms give other moms dirty looks as well. I used to work at a family friendly restaurant in Berkeley while I went to school and the people who were without kids (whether they didn’t have any at all or they just weren’t there, who knows) tended to be far more cordial with the kids who were running around, making noise, screaming, crying and all that.

    The moms who had children with them who were well behaved always gave the mothers with crying/screaming/making noise/running around kids nasty looks as though they were making them look bad.

    And I’d even seen many many times two sets of parents with quiet, well-behaved children giving each other dirty looks. Now that was bizarre. If someone could explain that one to me, I’d be very interested in why one parent would give the other a dirty look or made a snide comment when they got to my register about the other parent.

  50. cockadoodle says:

    ugh that term “non breeders”. i prefer to think of myself as someone who made a smart choice and didn’t give in to pressure.re: dirty looks i have no problem with well behaved kids in an adult environment. what gets my goat is when parents don’t stop their kids from misbehaving in public and disturbing other’s peace in restaurants etc not suitable for kids. go to chucky cheese, fix your kids behavior or leave them at home.

  51. Giz says:

    …And then there are people who have no business having children. Just because a woman has a uterus, doesn’t mean she should be parent. There are far better woman/men out without uterus’s who would make far, far better parents.

    There are people who want children but for all wrong reasons Some individuals just too lazy and selfish to be parents. Children ARE NOT toys, they are a responsibility!

    Finally, there are people out there who are incredible parents. Parents who manage to raise well-balanced children. They encourage their kid and are supportive of them, but also know where to draw the line, thus sparing the world of more spoiled and obnoxious children.

    I think there is an equal of all in this country.

    I had a former colleague tell me that she loved her children, but hated other peoples children. This, coming from parent. Go figure!

  52. GimmeABreak says:

    I must say I’m surprised at all the comments on this subject.

    Annie: we don’t always agree on things, but we’re are seeing eye-to-eye on this one. Love the furry babies…can’t be bothered with the real ones.

    Honestly, the newborn picture, right out of the womb always kicks in the gag reflex. Kids are cute with they are far away and in low doses. Never said I didn’t like them, I just can’t take too much of them.

    I’ll keep my little white 13 yr.old cat and my 200lb Great Dane couch potato!!! Both of which were rescued.

  53. mE says:

    What an idiot. Doesn’t she know that much of the Western world is reproducing at below replacement levels?

    I couldn’t give a damn if she has kids or not. It is absolutely none of my business if someone decides being a mother isn’t right for them. If she is intellectually honest with herself and knows that motherhood is or isn’t for her, good on her.

    CD comes off as a real idiot.

  54. paranel says:

    I agree with Cameron 100%. Finally you said something smart girl ( just kidding).

  55. Kay says:

    Had it to do over again, don’t know if I’d have chosen to have children. Don’t think women should be judged or looked upon whether they have children or not. That’s not all a person is, a mother or a father.

  56. Aspen says:

    Hashbrowns, you’re probably right, but since I had never had issues with my kid, I knew her well enough to have her there for the few minutes we needed to be there. If she had made a peep, I would’ve moved or left. She’s learned that when she behaves inappropriately for her atmosphere…mommy makes her go home.

    As for your pets….Honey, that is awesome. I treat my beagle like a member of the family, too! She is another baby. I don’t treat her like a human because she isn’t one, but I spoil the crap out of her and she is one of US. I love meeting animal people who love them the way I do.

  57. AliLa says:

    I don’t know if anyone is still reading this thread or not, but for those who are please keep this in mind. If you see a child behaving badly in public, don’t just assume that the parents don’t teach their children good manners and how to behave appropriately. There are other reasons why kids misbehave, one of which is autism. And with autism affecting 1 in 150 kids, there’s a very good chance that the little boy who’s throwing a tantrum in the middle of the mall or grocery store is autistic and doesn’t know that what he’s doing is inappropriate. Trust me, as a parent who is going through this, you the on-lookers, are not the only ones irritated by these tantrums and inappropriate behaviour.

  58. SixxKitty says:

    Is it just me, or does that header pic make her look like Patty Duke?

  59. the original kate says:

    @ geebz: “Random strangers question you on when you’re going to take the plunge? I think not. ”

    so are you calling us liars?

    as for the well behaved vs. ill behaved children debate, i will say i have encountered lovely children that are a pleasure to talk to and i always comment to the eparents about how nicely behaved their kid is. to those parents: a big thank you! but more often than not i have had many meals , movies, ballets, plays and other outings ruined by badly behaved kids and their clueless parents. i was recently at a very upscale, expensive bar with friends at 9 pm and a couple came in with a toddler who was clearly overtired and proceeded to stand up on his booth and screech, ruining the $12 martinis adults were trying to enjoy. seriously…who takes a toddler to a bar? or any where at 9 pm? stupid.

  60. Annie says:

    @ GimmeABreak 😀

    Aspen, I know where you’re coming from (please don’t get offended by my comparison, but as I am 23 and humandchildless, I only have my furbaby to relate with) but yes, every time we go anywhere, people literally JUMP out of his way. Grown adults! I can understand kids being wary (though I think that parents should teach them how to approach dogs, instead of just being scared of them) because really, when my guy is like grinning at you and wagging his stump of a tail, how can you take him for aggressive? I take a lot of time and effort to train my little guy.

    (We recently taught him how to “play dead” and being the drama queen that he is, after I fully taught it to him, he decided to add his own flare. When I say “Bang Bang!” he seriously spins around in a circle, staggers and then falls over.)

    I digress. The bottom line is, it’s appalling to me that people do that, to kids or dogs! When I see a child, I’m like cooing all over them, or waving hello and high-fiving depending on the age. And same with dogs. It’s good for both! SOCIALIZATION! So you don’t have awkward kids/pets.

    Hashbrowns, I’m with ya girl. Went to the farmer’s market yesterday and gave myself a $20 budget for some fresh veggies/fruits. What’d I end up spending half of it on? Organic dog treats for my little man. I ended up walking away with some pesto hummus and baby tomatoes for myself and fatty package of glucosamine enriched dried duck filets. No seriously.

  61. dubdub2000 says:

    @Aspen

    Are you serious?! So now you have a daughter you’ve given yourself “dreams about HER reproductive future”?!

    Lovely, really lovely.

    Now I’ll quote someone who actually has some respect for kids:

    “Your children are not your children.

    They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

    They come through you but not from you,

    And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

    You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

    For they have their own thoughts.

    You may house their bodies but not their souls,

    For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

    You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

    For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.”

    And btw, amen to people on this planet who have the good sense to know that they are not parent material. God knows there are way too few of them.