This guy could be my husband (without the whole create to carry on the family line thing. Smiths =/= Rothschilds).

I wish my husband could tell me definitely whether he wants kids or doesn't want them. I, too, can be persuaded, even though it would mean giving up a lot of what I want in life. (let's face it, private schools are expensive and public schools in San Francisco are NOT an option).

I already have an 11 year old from a previous relationship, and I'm afraid my husband's going to stay in the grey area until my eggs expire (I'm NOT having a kid when I'm 40). Like Piper, I have the occasional worry he'll suddenly wake up, decide he wants kids, and leave me for a younger, more fertile woman.

I like how the author captured the whole back and forth of this monumental decision.

Most of my friends have children, and have taken on that enormous responsibility with no true regret. Having said that, there are those of who chose not to bear children. I am now 45, and have never, not for one moment, regretted my decision. The Dr. Lauras of the world are either scratching their heads, wondering what is wrong with me, or else calling me "selfish." Both camps are wrong. While most of my friends are busy raising kids and earning a living, I come home from work and care for the 60+ animals that I have rescued. Most were in extremely dire circumstances when I got them, and let me tell you this: While raising kids is a very rewarding experience, saving these animals is rewarding, too. Like parents, I have a true sense of purpose, and I feel good about myself. I have many four footed friends that think the world of me-- just because I care for them and am their friend. I don't ask for this type of devotion, they freely give it--even (most of) the cats. It's unbelievable. Sometimes with the horses it takes longer; when I first meet them I have a one-sided conversation with them, and it goes something like this: "You've had a hell of a bad life so far, but one day you'll be happy again. You may even come to like humans." Then, slowly but surely, the day comes when they nicker as we approach them, and they don't run away. And the best part of all is seeing that their "dead eyes" once again have life to them.

The point is this: Having kids is not the only way to give yourself a sense of purpose. Find a cause, and jump in, you won't regret it. I think the whole reason we are here is to learn, enjoy the good things around us, and to leave this world a better place than when we entered. Who better to take on this task than Larry?

Another little reality check: a guy who waits EIGHT YEARS to decide you are worth marrying is already revealed himself as very, very ambivalent. It doesn't take an adult eight years to decide if you are "the one" or not.

1) "Waiting" for 8+ years is fairly common in other countries. Not in the trigger-happy US, for sure.

2) Maybe it was Piper who also wanted to decide. It's pretty silly to assume that all women want to marry as soon as possible/feasable and that all will say "yes" when you ask them.

Adoption has always, since I was young, always been the one thing that made sense. There are people who want to be parents. There are children who need parents. Why not bring them together?

I don't want children, my husband respects that. However, he's got mad mentorship skillz, and he really should be working with Boys/Girls club or Scouts. I prefer helping older kids -- I work at a college because I like the transition from adolescent to young adult. Anything younger just confuses me.

If I eventually want kids -- I know they're out there.

I was being a little facetious when I said "genetically inferior", but only a little. Genes exist to reproduce themselves, those that don't leave room for those that do. Your genes built your body to make more genes, but the mix might not have come out right. I live in a very Mormon area, where a woman who has only two or three children is pitied. I dont't want the Mormons to take over the world, so do your duty and get with it. As far as the athletic and intellectual ability goes, it has been scientifically documented. As for the sexual ability, it is merely a personal observation, but I believe it. Now I've got to go upstairs and take care of 64 year old wifes sexual needs before she gets really antsy.

I am really looking forward to taking my grandchildren sailing, hiking, XC skiing, etc.

So, I got married a few months ago to a woman I have been with for nine years. I just turned 35, she'll be there in a few months.

I could have written this article. Changed a few names, sure, but we did it, met in one city, moved to new york, moved to los angeles. working great jobs, have great friends, do basically whatever we want to do.

over the past year or so, we have noticed, of course, that our friends are starting to have kids. more and more often, it seems, at least one woman at the party is drinking iced tea or saying she'll have a drink "later". we notice this, we smile, and then, when we get home, we moan about how we are never going to see HER again...

my wife's got some frogs, which seems to make her happy. of course she wants a bearded dragon now--two, actually, they like to have another around--which some might assume is just her subsituting for wanting kids...but really, it's not. she just likes little animals.

what's frustrating though, is that we are both basically the same "percentage" as far as wanting kids go. we have a lot of debt to pay off, and don't own a house yet, so we have several reasons for wanting to put it off...but we both quietly understand that, ugh, the clock is ticking.

and we're not sure what to do at all. we would be great parents...it's hard. gwen stefani sings something to the effect, the older I get, the more selfish I get...and it's true. we have been together so long and enjoy our life parameters so much that having a kid...well, it just seems like it would "ruin" everything as opposed to "changing everything for the wonderful-er".

I am really looking forward to reading what happens a year later and all the posts about this. I bet there are lot of people out there who read this article with nodding heads...