Animal Lovers That Dislike Children

[Dogsfevr]

I went to the Big Dog Day Out at KCC Park a while ago and I noticed a real difference in the 'vibe' I got from people because I suddenly had a kid in a pram. I can't really explain it, but it was weird.

Anyway, children are individuals so it makes no sense to me to 'not like children' unless you 'don't like humans' in general.

So the vibe from your post is many of us on here are human haters ?? So we can also have the same weird feeling you did because we don't wish to have a child or prefer to not be around them when there is an option ??

[hortfurball]

In the days where it took a village to raise a child, the adults had the right to discipline the child, and could hug or comfort a child without being accused of inappropriate touching, so we have created this 'secular, self absorbed society', and it is reflected in the behaviour of today's children to a great degree, which just makes people want even less to do with them.

yes

Yes. And I think this is where the lack of respect for todays society elders, teachers, parents etc. comes about.

I'm certainly not saying it is anyone elses responsibility to raise someone elses child, but everyone a child comes into contact with from the sales assistant who serves their mother when mum is buying them school shoes to the teacher who stands in front of them each day, has an impact that will fashion their thinking and shape who they are, regardless of whether that person likes kids or not.

Unfortunately the lack of respect for today's elders, teachers etc is supported by the fact that those figures have no authority over children anymore.

Teacher "Sit down and pay attention to the lesson"

Child "You can't make me"

Teacher thinks "Thirty years ago I could have"

(we've swayed slightly off topic here)

I may not be fond of spending time with children and will readily admit it, but your child will never be negatively affected by an interaction with me (unless they ask me outright "Do you like children?" in which case I'm most likely to answer honestly with "Not really.") Just today while walking Ella, a little girl saw us, said "dog!" and moved away. I could have completely ignored her and kept walking, but instead I said in a friendly voice, "It's ok, she likes children, she even plays chasey with them." (inherent instinct for dog advocacy I think.) Of course once I was out of earshot I joked quietly to OH "and then catches them and EATS them!"

[BlaznHotAussies]

a long haul flight is the LAST place any parent wants to be with a child :laugh: Really, 14 hrs on a plane with not being able to get up and no space is absolute torture with kids the only reason I do it is to visit family, even then it is only when I have to go (organised Christmas, weddings).

What I am amazed at is that people in playgroup are talking about camping with little kids - that comes pretty close on the torture scale to me :laugh: but NOTHING is worse than flying with kids.

....crying baby in a Cinema! That where I lose it.

Hahaha so true :p

I was sitting next to this little kid at the movies once (she? was probably about 2-3 and it was The Muppets Movie.) and it kept touching me!!!!! had sticky/slobbery hands and I was sitting RIiiiiiiight on the other side of my chair trying to stay out of her way

Wasn't crying, but it was DEFINITELY distracting and uncomfortable.

[kezzzza]

Generally I'm not a kid person but on my first plane flight I was seated next to a kid about 8 years old. I was a little scared but seeing this kid just sitting there drawing and not worried about the flight made me alot less nervous. I figured if it doesn't bother her what am I worried about. This was probably the longest time I've spent next to a kid.

Still hasn't changed my mind about kids. I don't hate them I just prefer not to be around them.

[PuddleDuck]

I spent a good 15 years of my life saying I never wanted kids, only dogs and horses. I was absolutely adamant. When I turned 28 the desire for a child knocked me off my feet and now we have a baby girl. Before she came along, our dogs were our 'children' and got showered with toys, treats, and unlimited attention at their whim. We planned around them and made anthropomorpholical (sp?! And possibly i made up a word!) excuses for their behaviour, good or bad.

Now, our daughter is our child and is the light of our lives. The centre of our universe shifted the moment we held her. We still adore our dogs, but they are our dogs and our treatment of them and expectations of them match this. They want for nothing, but they know where they fit into our family. I believe they are far happier (and their behaviour certainly indicates so) and I think I have a far better relationship with them now.

As someone that hated when people said 'you don't know what you are missing' I can see it from both sides. IME nothing, NOTHING, has ever come close to the joy and fulfillment I get from my child. I wasn't a kid person really, though I preferred babies to little bratty chatter boxes! I would be happy to have many more children now. I think the people who say 'you don't know what you are missing' fall in to 2 camps, people like me who are amazed by the joy of it, or people who feel better and validated knowing others are making the same decisions as them, be they for the right or wrong reasons. I know people who would have been better sticking to dogs, or really, goldfish. Or pet rocks. I admire people that regardless of their decision are confident in themselves enough to know the decision they have made is right for them. Having kids seems to be an accepted social norm. But there are always going to be people that feel a 'norm' is not right for them and good on them for recognizing it! It doesn't hurt me in any way for you not to have kids, any more than it doesn't hurt me if gay people marry or your dog has a bigger wardrobe than you. If it makes you happy, thats all that matters.

JMHO :)

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I like to take these on long haul flights

http://www.amazon.com/Bose%C2%AE-QuietComfort%C2%AE-Acoustic-Cancelling%C2%AE-Headphones/dp/B0054JJ0QW/ref=sr_1_1?=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1330775085&sr=1-1

There are worse things to be stuck next to on a plane than a small child - screaming or not.

Like someone with an infectious disease. And being stuck there until quarantine give the all clear that someone has not been hanging out with sick chooks.

[Guest Tess32]

I said, kids are as individual as any other human, so it makes no sense to me to say "I don't like children". It's like saying "I don't like men" or "I don't like women". It isn't logical. They don't all act the same, have the same personalities. If 'disliking kids' is based on the fact they poo in nappies and therefore smell for about 5 minutes of their day, then well...I just call that shallow.

[Guest Tess32]

I spent a good 15 years of my life saying I never wanted kids, only dogs and horses. I was absolutely adamant. When I turned 28 the desire for a child knocked me off my feet and now we have a baby girl. Before she came along, our dogs were our 'children' and got showered with toys, treats, and unlimited attention at their whim. We planned around them and made anthropomorpholical (sp?! And possibly i made up a word!) excuses for their behaviour, good or bad.

Now, our daughter is our child and is the light of our lives. The centre of our universe shifted the moment we held her. We still adore our dogs, but they are our dogs and our treatment of them and expectations of them match this. They want for nothing, but they know where they fit into our family. I believe they are far happier (and their behaviour certainly indicates so) and I think I have a far better relationship with them now.

As someone that hated when people said 'you don't know what you are missing' I can see it from both sides. IME nothing, NOTHING, has ever come close to the joy and fulfillment I get from my child. I wasn't a kid person really, though I preferred babies to little bratty chatter boxes! I would be happy to have many more children now. I think the people who say 'you don't know what you are missing' fall in to 2 camps, people like me who are amazed by the joy of it, or people who feel better and validated knowing others are making the same decisions as them, be they for the right or wrong reasons. I know people who would have been better sticking to dogs, or really, goldfish. Or pet rocks. I admire people that regardless of their decision are confident in themselves enough to know the decision they have made is right for them. Having kids seems to be an accepted social norm. But there are always going to be people that feel a 'norm' is not right for them and good on them for recognizing it! It doesn't hurt me in any way for you not to have kids, any more than it doesn't hurt me if gay people marry or your dog has a bigger wardrobe than you. If it makes you happy, thats all that matters.

JMHO :)

Great post :)

[Muttaburra]

There's nothing wrong with children (of course) They can pose a problem to dog owners if not properly educated. I've had children run up and slap my dog for no good reason, luckily he was not reactive to this kind of approach. For me the bottom line is, if your dog is not proven to be "child-proof", don't expose them to this kind of interaction. Many dogs can be child proof, some are sensitive, so need some help/training if that is not possible then keep your dogs away from any situation where they may not cope.

[anniek]

oh dear - I am obviously very shallow

[BlaznHotAussies]

oh dear - I am obviously very shallow

Ditto

[Rebanne]

There's nothing wrong with children (of course) They can pose a problem to dog owners if not properly educated. I've had children run up and slap my dog for no good reason, luckily he was not reactive to this kind of approach. For me the bottom line is, if your dog is not proven to be "child-proof", don't expose them to this kind of interaction. Many dogs can be child proof, some are sensitive, so need some help/training if that is not possible then keep your dogs away from any situation where they may not cope.

What??? No way I am going around slapping my dog just so he doesn't react if some feral kid does this to him. I'm more likely to slap the kid.

[BlaznHotAussies]

There's nothing wrong with children (of course) They can pose a problem to dog owners if not properly educated. I've had children run up and slap my dog for no good reason, luckily he was not reactive to this kind of approach. For me the bottom line is, if your dog is not proven to be "child-proof", don't expose them to this kind of interaction. Many dogs can be child proof, some are sensitive, so need some help/training if that is not possible then keep your dogs away from any situation where they may not cope.

What??? No way I am going around slapping my dog just so he doesn't react if some feral kid does this to him. I'm more likely to slap the kid.

Hehehe good point!

Back when I was young (so not really that long ago ;) ) you asked before you pat the dog. Not blame the owner for not warning you when you run up to the dog and scare the crap out of it. I mean pat it. Some dogs are good with kids, some aren't. Just like some humans

[poochmad]

Great post, Puddleduck.

[LizT]

I said, kids are as individual as any other human, so it makes no sense to me to say "I don't like children". It's like saying "I don't like men" or "I don't like women". It isn't logical. They don't all act the same, have the same personalities. If 'disliking kids' is based on the fact they poo in nappies and therefore smell for about 5 minutes of their day, then well...I just call that shallow.

But there are people out there who say "They don't like men, or they don't like women". It is probably not illogical to them, and not a concern to anyone unless it impacts on there day to day life then, I'd say it's a problem.

BTW,I have to say this thread has had some major twists and turns and you lot would all make for great (and very interesting) conversation at a dinner table or party! (but leave the kids at home ;) )

[LizT]

There's nothing wrong with children (of course) They can pose a problem to dog owners if not properly educated. I've had children run up and slap my dog for no good reason, luckily he was not reactive to this kind of approach. For me the bottom line is, if your dog is not proven to be "child-proof", don't expose them to this kind of interaction. Many dogs can be child proof, some are sensitive, so need some help/training if that is not possible then keep your dogs away from any situation where they may not cope.

What??? No way I am going around slapping my dog just so he doesn't react if some feral kid does this to him. I'm more likely to slap the kid.

Oh Rebanne you know that wouldn't child proof a dog anyway, only make it hand shy and screwed up!

[raz]

There's nothing wrong with children (of course) They can pose a problem to dog owners if not properly educated. I've had children run up and slap my dog for no good reason, luckily he was not reactive to this kind of approach. For me the bottom line is, if your dog is not proven to be "child-proof", don't expose them to this kind of interaction. Many dogs can be child proof, some are sensitive, so need some help/training if that is not possible then keep your dogs away from any situation where they may not cope.

Urm are you sure you're in the right thread, Mutta? This topic was covered in the burning building trainwreck of a thread.

It sure has been a week for interesting turnarounds.

[Steve]

I have 8 kids and 13 with one on the way grandkids so I guess most would think I like kids - and I do if they are under control and respectful. I don't mind a baby crying or a toddler having a chuck as I see this as part of being a parent and most times out of control but throwing food at me, kicking my chair,pulling my hair, coughing on my sneeezing on me being able to run wild in a restaurant etc drives me nuts and I dont believe I'm any worse at being tolerant at that now than I have ever been. I dont want have to say hello to them or interact with them and go "aren't they cute" I've never appreciated parents who don't teach their children what is and is not good manners and appropriate behaviour in public. I don't even mind that much if its a one off and the parent pulls it in and it doesn't happen again but when its a constant and the kid doesn't give up I could belt them and their parent.

I love dogs too and most of my life revolves around them but the same goes I don't want to have to come home wearing someone else's dog fur on my pants,any more than I wants someone else's kids sticky fingerprints on my clothes,or having them come over "arent they cute' to say hello to me and get a pat when I'm at a coffee shop.I don't want to have to sit with my bag behind my back because the dog likes the smell of it.I dont want to have to be worried about the dog running toward me off leash to race through my picnic is going to do.

It would appear that some dog lovers suffer from the same affliction that some parents suffer from - because they love them and tolerate their poor behaviour they simply expect that everyone else will too. They somehow believe they have more rights than anyone else but I don't think its any worse now than it has ever been. Some parents and some dog owners have always been idiots and not socialised their kids or their dogs and not taken control when they should.

[Clyde]

Back when I was young (so not really that long ago ;) ) you asked before you pat the dog. Not blame the owner for not warning you when you run up to the dog and scare the crap out of it. I mean pat it. Some dogs are good with kids, some aren't. Just like some humans

Back when I was young, we didn't ask - but if we got bitten we got over it and learned our lesson.

[LizT]

I have 8 kids and 13 with one on the way grandkids so I guess most would think I like kids - and I do if they are under control and respectful. I don't mind a baby crying or a toddler having a chuck as I see this as part of being a parent and most times out of control but throwing food at me, kicking my chair,pulling my hair, coughing on my sneeezing on me being able to run wild in a restaurant etc drives me nuts and I dont believe I'm any worse at being tolerant at that now than I have ever been. I dont want have to say hello to them or interact with them and go "aren't they cute" I've never appreciated parents who don't teach their children what is and is not good manners and appropriate behaviour in public. I don't even mind that much if its a one off and the parent pulls it in and it doesn't happen again but when its a constant and the kid doesn't give up I could belt them and their parent.

I love dogs too and most of my life revolves around them but the same goes I don't want to have to come home wearing someone else's dog fur on my pants,any more than I wants someone else's kids sticky fingerprints on my clothes,or having them come over "arent they cute' to say hello to me and get a pat when I'm at a coffee shop.I don't want to have to sit with my bag behind my back because the dog likes the smell of it.I dont want to have to be worried about the dog running toward me off leash to race through my picnic is going to do.

It would appear that some dog lovers suffer from the same affliction that some parents suffer from - because they love them and tolerate their poor behaviour they simply expect that everyone else will too. They somehow believe they have more rights than anyone else but I don't think its any worse now than it has ever been. Some parents and some dog owners have always been idiots and not socialised their kids or their dogs and not taken control when they should.

Yes, I do see that there are far too many factors involved to simply say "I like or dislike children" or a great many other things for that matter. Like most things in life I believe it comes with 'terms and conditions'.

Edited March 3, 2012 by LizT