I have so much respect for all of you!!!

jloewe

jloewe

Cathlete
It is near impossible for me to feel sorry for myself for struggling with this burned out feeling I am dealing with. I don't have the obligations of raising a family, most of you do, and I applaud all of you for your dedication and commitment.

I could never do what you do, and you not only workout, you workout with Cathe!!!!

I was never cut out to be a parent, in my opinion, it's the single most difficult job there is, and probably the most rewarding. I'll never second guess my decision not to have children, but that doesn't mean I don't have the utmost respect for all of you that do.
 
That was such a sweet post Jerry! Thank you for that and I'm sorry you're feeling burned out. Take care of yourself--
 
jloewe said:
It is near impossible for me to feel sorry for myself for struggling with this burned out feeling I am dealing with. I don't have the obligations of raising a family, most of you do, and I applaud all of you for your dedication and commitment.

I could never do what you do, and you not only workout, you workout with Cathe!!!!

I was never cut out to be a parent, in my opinion, it's the single most difficult job there is, and probably the most rewarding. I'll never second guess my decision not to have children, but that doesn't mean I don't have the utmost respect for all of you that do.
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Another childless (by choice) person here...and ITA with ya Jerry! I scratch my head in wonder as all these fine peeps do it all every day....Having said that- Dont sell yourself short! YOU have accomplished & overcome your own stuff.... Heres a pat on the back for you! Lets face it- we all have full lives...just sometimes filled with different things. I think you deserve a round of applause!
 
And to top it off you are right in the path of Hanna!!! I was gonna ask you to go over and put my porch furniture inside, but figured you were too burnt out. If you see some green furniture floating around near the Crest, just toss it in the back of your car.

I'm home with my 2 little boys for the weekend (hubby is away) and there is NO WAY in you know what that I was driving down there to put things away.
Stay safe and away from the winds!!!!
:eek::eek::eek:

ellie
 
This thread was a nice treat to read ~ thanks for the kind words. :)

My niece has decided to remain childless, and I'll tell you guys what I tell her: I have a HUGE amount of respect for those who choose that path for themselves. It requires some serious thought and respect for the task of parenting, something I've seen some parents sorely lacking.
 
I don't have kids either...by choice... and don't plan to. I definitely second Jerry's comments though. I watch one of my friends who has a 5 yr old and twin girls (3) and have NO idea how she does it and works full time. People have said to me before that it's selfish for me NOT to have kids. I think it's good to know that you don't want to bring a child into the world when you don't want one (REALLY not trying to sound mean here) so HOW in the world could it be selfish?????
 
I agree with you Jerry. I too have been having a bit of a self pity party lately and it's affecting my workouts in a major way. And not only am I child free by choice, I don't even have a real job! Yes, I work but I pretty much set my own schedule and can take time off whenever I want. The people who have kids and jobs and still find the time and energy and discipline to workout with Cathe are amazing.

Kim - I got the "you're being selfish" for years. I was also told I would change my mind and that it wasn't too late. Never did though. I knew from when I was a child that I didn't want kids. Didn't even like playing with dolls. Luckily people stop bothering you about it after you turn 45.
 
Awww Jerry! You are such a sweety;)

We all go through periods of feeling burned out, kids or no kids. It is just great that we can all come together here to lean on eachother and get support.

Take care!

JJ
 
Jerry. Oh, JERRY! THANKS so much! I wish I could give you another Cape May Vactation Hug!!! Thank you for sharing that with us.

I have to admit, that up until about 6 months ago, I KNEW with 110% of my being that I wanted another child. KNEW IT! To the point where I was jealous of my 40 year old friend who 'accidentally' got pregnant. However, I started watching my neices (ages 8 months and 4 yrs) and I have to say.....what was I thinking? I realized quite quickly that my lifestyle and our (my 2 boys and I) habits just aren't conducive to having a baby in the house! I realized I was wrong...thank goodness before it was too late.

ANYWAY....

THANKS, Jerry! You ROCK! Now, grab your umbrella, and your wife, and have a nice evening!

Gayle
 
I agree with you, I have kids but I applaud women who decide not to have children as well. We are women first, mother and motherhoods is just another title. In a few years my children will be leaving the nest. Will I be moaning and groaning? Ahh,no. I already have plans for their rooms.

It is not being selfish in the least bit, to forgo motherhood. I think we have "idolized" family and motherhood too much. Women of today have so many choices and pave (and pay) their ways.
 
netsnotes16 said:
I agree with you, I have kids but I applaud women who decide not to have children as well. We are women first, mother and motherhoods is just another title. In a few years my children will be leaving the nest. Will I be moaning and groaning? Ahh,no. I already have plans for their rooms.

It is not being selfish in the least bit, to forgo motherhood. I think we have "idolized" family and motherhood too much. Women of today have so many choices and pave (and pay) their ways.
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I've got to know. What are you going to do with their rooms?
 
jloewe said:
It is near impossible for me to feel sorry for myself for struggling with this burned out feeling I am dealing with. I don't have the obligations of raising a family, most of you do, and I applaud all of you for your dedication and commitment.

I could never do what you do, and you not only workout, you workout with Cathe!!!!

I was never cut out to be a parent, in my opinion, it's the single most difficult job there is, and probably the most rewarding. I'll never second guess my decision not to have children, but that doesn't mean I don't have the utmost respect for all of you that do.
Click to expand...

Yeah what he said.
 
Kimenem said:
I don't have kids either...by choice... and don't plan to. I definitely second Jerry's comments though. I watch one of my friends who has a 5 yr old and twin girls (3) and have NO idea how she does it and works full time. People have said to me before that it's selfish for me NOT to have kids. I think it's good to know that you don't want to bring a child into the world when you don't want one (REALLY not trying to sound mean here) so HOW in the world could it be selfish?????
Click to expand...

I don't think it's selfish at all.

To be perfectly honest, (and I might get flamed for this) I think it's selfish to bring a child in to this world. Look at the world today. There's more bad then there is good, and it's only going to get worse. I know some will say it's all in the way you raise them, but I see it differently. JMO.
 
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Weeeell, to claim either choice is selfish across the board is way too general.

Jennie, if you think this world holds more bad than good, I'm afraid that might become a self-fulfilling prophecy. There's a cool parable about this topic, but darnit...I can't find it. And I'm terrible at paraphrasing. :)
 
Laughingwater, I think the parable goes something like this:

A stranger walking to a new town came upon an old man. The stranger asked the old man, "Tell me, what kind of people are in your town?" The old man asked back, "What kind of people were in the town from which you came?" The stranger replied, "Terrible . . . they'd steal the shirt right off your back." The old man then told him, "That's exactly the same kind of people you'll find here."

Another stranger then came walking to the new town and came upon the old man. This stranger asked the old man, "Tell me, what kind of people are in your town?" The old man asked back, "What kind of people were in the town from which you came?" This stranger replied, "Wonderful . . . they'd give you the shirt right off their back." The old man then told him, "That's exactly the same kind of people you'll find here."

Takes all kinds to make a world. Jerry, I too am contentedly child-free by choice, and I too highly value the friends I have who are parents. I'm lucky in that none of my parent-type friends have ever tried to pressure me/DH into having children, nor have any of my family, although most have had children themselves.

Hope the burn-out cools, Jer, and you jump back on the Cathe-wagon refreshed and renewed!

A-Jock
 
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