Ask The (relatively) New Dad.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by JohnT
This one came from my wife.

Next!

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Rogan Josh
Is there something special you are supposed to do (other than the obvious).

Have sex on day 14 of her cycle. And you have to just enjoy it, not keep thinking "I've got to make a baby, I've got to make a baby..." the whole time. All that does is distract you from getting the job done; if you're trying too hard (no comments, people) it never seems to work. Have a couple drinks first and just enjoy yourself.

3 for 3 using the above.

[Paul Hanson]

So, what on earth possesses people to have children? I'm the oldest of four, and I get the impression from my parents that me and my younger siblings are a constant source of anguish for my parents. Which begs the question; why did they decide to have us? What is it about children that is so fantastic that it cancels out all the crap you have to put up with from them?

[Stuie]

Stupid back button on the stupid browser results in stupid double post minutes later.

[ricketyclik]

Originally posted by Paul Hanson
So, what on earth possesses people to have children? I'm the oldest of four, and I get the impression from my parents that me and my younger siblings are a constant source of anguish for my parents. Which begs the question; why did they decide to have us? What is it about children that is so fantastic that it cancels out all the crap you have to put up with from them?

You get to harangue them about what pains in the asses they are.

[Rogan Josh]

Originally posted by Stuie
Have sex on day 14 of her cycle.

I was counting that in 'the obvious'.

And you have to just enjoy it, not keep thinking "I've got to make a baby, I've got to make a baby..." the whole time. All that does is distract you from getting the job done; if you're trying too hard (no comments, people) it never seems to work. Have a couple drinks first and just enjoy yourself.

3 for 3 using the above.

Hmm, yes - I do tend to be motivated by the baby rather than the sex nowadays. Next time I will try the drinks. Thanks

[Stuie]

Not necessarily obvious to some; I thought "obvious" was more along the lines "You have to have sex with your wife." My wife and I tried for almost two years before having our first, so I know what you're going through. Finally happened for us when we were moving across country in a U-Haul and decided to "de-stress" one morning in the hotel room. Getting pregnant was the furthest thing from our minds. And BAM, it happened.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Straybow
Should "outies" be illegal? They are kinda freaky lookin' and somebody could lose a lunch.

Not really.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Stefu
Are 'Toolio' and 'Kakinston' good baby names?

Toolio: with a name like that, you know your child is going to sing "...Been spendin' most of our lives, living in a Finnish Paradise..."

Kakinston: You want to name your kid after a third world country?

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Paul Hanson
So, what on earth possesses people to have children? I'm the oldest of four, and I get the impression from my parents that me and my younger siblings are a constant source of anguish for my parents. Which begs the question; why did they decide to have us? What is it about children that is so fantastic that it cancels out all the crap you have to put up with from them?

Well, remember that cute, adorable Sophie is but 16 months old, so a lot of the "irritating" things she'll do haven't been done yet.

I can't speak for your parents, though I am sorry you feel that way.

As for us, it was just kind of like "Well, I guess we're ready to have a kid." We put it off for a while (Sophie was born when I was 34, mommy 32) so that we would be able to raise her in the manner in which we see fit (meaning with a stay-at-home mother and no daycare except for the occasional "mommy's morning off" programs).

The weird thing is, Paul, is that we just don't love Sophie, we've fallen in love with her. I really have no concept of feeling "anguish" towards her... but then, like I said, she's just a baby.

[MRT144]

john, wait till shes 16 and seducing guys like me

[Spiffor]

Will you give her a sibling ?

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Rogan Josh
I have a question.

How are you supposed to make babies?

My wife an I have been trying for almost 2 years now with no success. Is there something special you are supposed to do (other than the obvious).

Like Stuie said, you're better off relaxing and, well, enjoying the ride. I've heard a lot of stories like Stuie's - parents are stressed about having a kid and it doesn't happen. Then, something else happens in their lives to take their mind off the issue, and BAM! Rugrats galore. And, as far as this particular issue is concerned, I never heard about parents stressing about having subsequent kids after they've had the first.

Think of it this way: you've been trying for two years, but what that really means is that you've only had (so far) 24 chances.

If it is a big worry, why not schedule some fertility tests for you and the missus?

Good luck!

[JohnT]

Btw, Rogan, Laura and I never worried* about if she could or couldn't even though the missus had a couple of bad bouts with endometriosis.

*Well, I never worried. Laura worries about everything.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Spiffor
Will you give her a sibling ?

We don't know. The usual cliched and likely dichotomistic emotions are prevelant in our house: "Sophie is sooo good, you know we're going to get burned with #2." "But having a sibling would give Sophie a regular playmate." "But now she gets as much attention as she needs" "Well, I had siblings and I turned out OK"* "Yeah, but I was an only child and I turned out better"**

If we do have number 2, it won't be for another year or so unless the birth control fails. (Raps repeatedly and loudly on wood!)

* said by me.
** said by Laura. With a smile, of course.