What's the bare minimum (rephrased)
 

This is the philosophy forum, FFS.

Rephrased for the overly pedantic and those who just can't seem to play along:

What is that bare minimum standard of living that you want for your children?

The answer cannot be "what ever they want".

If you don't have children, use your imagination.

That's easy. I want them to have far more than the bare minimum.
I want them to have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, healthy food to eat. I want them to have an education through college. I want them to have healthcare if they get sick, and healthcare to keep them from getting sick.

I want them to have clothes that fit, look good, and keep them comfortable. I want them to have shelter.

I want them to have a community that values them. I want them to have more than just drudgery to look forward to. I want them to have libraries and museums and playing fields that they can use. I want them to have freedom when they get older. I want them to have opportunities when they are older. I want them to be loved and have friends.

they want a PS3 and their own display to play it on

What is that bare minimum standard of living that you want for your imagination?

If I had kids, I'd want them to struggle and to find their own way.

My imaginary kids are bright, resourceful, and strong. I don't smother them and imagine illnesses upon them. I don't buzz around every single aspect of their lives like a helicopter. I help them through their failures and celebrate their successes, but I don't imagine that their experiences are all about me.

My imaginary kids will learn a work ethic, and won't lay around the house whining and crying about some nanny-boo-boo some other kid or teacher subjected them to and expect me to swoop in and wring my hands and bitch. They will learn to deal with problems without my constant intervention.

My imaginary kids won't value possessions above all else, with little to no role in obtaining those possessions.

So my imaginary kids will make it through whatever life down the road either presents to them or denies them. They'll be just as happy swimming in the old quarry as they will be playing Super Duper Nintendo Gotta-have War Face 5. Probably happier.

They'll know that Johnny Mo Mo's Extremely Indulgent and Skittish parents aren't doing Johnny Mo Mo any freaking favors.

Of course, every imaginary child is different, so your mileage with your imaginary child may vary.

I think that's pretty much in agreement with what I said.

Absolutely. Great minds, and all.

If I had children I'd want them to be confident to the point of being obnoxious.
I'd want them to get everything they wanted, whether by hard work, negotion or subterfuge. I'd be proudest if it was a mixture of the three.
They wouldn't care what strangers thought about them, or ever doubt that they were loved.
And I would descend like an avenging angel if they were ever out-maneuvered; we would stand as a family against the world if necessary.

Oh and we would know how to argue passionately without spite or (metaphorical) internal bleeding.

I borrow the Addams Family motto - Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

I'm not saying I believe the above is how children should be raised.
I'm just saying that is what I want for mine.

Be grateful that I decided to remain barren.

SG's kids are a pain in the butt.

Little liars.

My imaginary kids don't like her imaginary kids.

I sold my kids to the gypsies for the bare minimum. £85 each.

As written above, they'd be monsters :)
But even I know you don't get the outcome you wish for when it comes to children.
You get what you are given and do the best you can.

For the children in my class I wish that this year they take away a feeling that the adults have been fair. That good behaviour warrants praise and bad behaviour is unacceptable. And they have a pleasure in academic achievement, from moving up a level on Awesome Addition, to getting a high five for another word wall conquered, to moving up another level in reading. And that other achievements are recognised, like getting housepoints for good manners in the corridor or being singled out for praise in PE or singing.

Some of our lower ability children will never excel academically.
We have children in our classroom that are unlikely to ever live independently.
But I think it's important to allow every child a chance to shine. Which is not about lowering standards, but boosting self esteem and still pushing children to be the best thaey can be.

One of the lads I read with has come on so well in the last few months.
He still struggles.
He still does not read at home. Ever. Sigh.
But he looks forward to our daily reading sessions and now recognises so many words by sight (as opposed to guessing/ sounding out words he should be familiar with like "it" or "he")

I bribe him with stickers for each wordwall completed.
His favourites have a picture of Diz on them.
I am creating a future army of cat lovers.

Yeah, because, um, my kids are IMAGINARY.

:blunt:

Yebbut, your imaginary kids weren't called monsters.
Mine were.
I had to defend them!

My imaginary kids have the skills to defend themselves. ;)

Your imaginary kids would buttfuck mine in the mouth.

My imaginary kids have developed problems with their self-esteem. How? I did everything I could!

This could be a great board game. You draw a card to see what fates befall your imaginary children, then you have choices like: seek psychiatric help, ground them for 3 weeks, chain them to a radiator in the attic, or have another one and hope it turns out better. :lol:

Argh don't. Without too much info, there is a newborn we all raised our eyebrows at in the staffroom.
I mean bless her for trying, but the last three have behavioural and educational issues. That's some kind of optimism.

My kids are completely self-centred and outside of my family they will tread on as many heads as need be to get what they want. They are certainly not plagued by empathy. I base them on a couple of people I know who fast outstripped any financial success I had in my life. One of whom was a potential father. Last I heard of them they were very happy in their lives.

Sadly, this is a game breeders play all the time.

Are you sure it wasn't an accident? Most women will outwardly try to make the best of it, even if they are shit-ass terrified.

Yeah. Once the initial shock and panic is done with you'd surely just start focusing on the good stuff. By the time you're in the staffroom talking to colleagues, you've already got it sorted in your head to a degree I'd think.

Posts in thread: 21

Serious posts by a person who actually has children: 1.

I think the first thing parents learn is that parenting is hard.

I'm teaching my non-imaginary kids that you don't get hand-outs or free rides in life, so basically your bullshit setup still sucks as much as it ever did, even with your weak "appeal to people loving their kids" ploy. How about just come out and say it--we're not stupid enough to be "tricked"

ORLY? No! You don't say.

That's why my children are imaginary.

Jokes, peeps. They make the world go 'round.

Absolutely. It's also easy at times. And sometimes it's fun. And sometimes it sucks. It's a mixed bag.

The parent isn't staff. We heard indirectly that she was "trying" but weren't sure whether to believe it until she started showing. And those of us who have no direct contact with her only heard after the birth.

Rereading what I wrote I do feel a bit mean.
I didn't know the eldest, but I have worked with the other two. In fact I was working with one of them today. He is a great boy and it's not up to me to suggest someone should or shouldn't be born.

I think there's a bit of defense mechanism going on...well, for me anyway. Childless women tend to be judged as meaningless, cold, selfish, and having no real purpose on the earth.

It's one of those things where you can be damned if you do or damned if you don't.

For my part, I cannot imagine being the sort of person who could work through such difficulties, but thank FSM there are such people. And it's a beautiful thing to want more children, though not often understandable to me...but I see a lot of parents who maybe shouldn't be parents (I know, it's not for me to say) and I see the grown results of neglected, abused, and unloved children.

As anything, there are a million situations and a million reasons.

I can only guess that I would have stepped up to the plate if need be. I daresay I would have been a good mother. It just wasn't in my mind and it wasn't in my cards.

*shrugs*

Lending credence to nothing.




By not responding to this post, all registered dwellars are consenting to send me their life savings. Ha ha, I'm gonna be rich!!

Being a parent certainly has it's ups and downs.
Being a grandparent is better - you can send G-kids home when you want.

The term "childfree" is a new concept for me... my mind immediately went to:
What's the alternative ? "childencumbered", "childchalleneged"

Likewise "childless by choice" takes my mind to "parent by accident", "parent by JimBeam"

Maybe not a board game, but it could become a party game or on customized T-shirts.

Minimum?

3 bedroom bungalow with small yard - reasonable furnishings - probably used.
2 working economical cars
1 TV in the family room
1 computer
Everything in the house works.
Enough money to put a little into savings.

I suspect the Zings will do much better than this, but this describes, I think, a modestly successful family.

Others of their generation may not fare so well. We are headed into a global economy. Unless that changes, our kids will be in competition with Indians, Koreans, and Chinese that can work for much cheaper.

>What is that bare minimum standard of living that you want for your children?

What's your answer, Spexx?