8 Silliest Things People Say When I Tell Them I Don't Want Kids

[SheilaT]

186. I cannot begin to imagine having a child

who would throw a temper tantrum in a store.

I do have two children, grown now. Once, and only once was there a temper tantrum. Younger son, in a craft store. I knew I was pushing his patience. He did NOT throw things around, just threw himself on the ground, crying and stamping his hands and feet. I backed away a bit. Two women, about twenty years older than me, came close to my son, then looked around for the mother. The spotted me and then said, "We're so glad we're passed this!" They did not make me feel as if I were a terrible mother, but just as a mom whose kid had misbehaved.

Important thing here is that I let the tantrum play out, finished my shopping and went home. I remember this so clearly because it was the only time it happened.

I actually find this commercial offensive, because this kid, if this were a real situation, would not behave like this if he weren't ultimately rewarded for this behavior. It's not that you need to use condoms, it's that you need to raise a kid right from the very beginning, setting limits, making clear what is appropriate behavior, and so on.

Of course, if you don't want kids in the first place, start with condoms.