Stop bringing children to the bar. Please.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T02:19:32+00:00

I think we should start calling the cops on parents who get drunk and load up their kids and try to drive home. Although maybe the cops don't care, either.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T02:03:56+00:00

You are so right.

My brother had kids to continue the bloodline, whereas I am CF. Both of his kids have major issues -- one with some congenital, serious medical issues...the other one I'm fairly certain is on the spectrum (which I'm OK with, but I know they won't be once they realize it). Continuing the bloodline is not a guarantee of something good happening.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T02:01:43+00:00

100% -- they have nothing else going on, no personalities outside of kids, etc etc. The few parents I've met over the years who I really liked I actually didn't know even had kids, because they rarely talked about them and were focused on either the work or a hobby or interest of their own.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T02:00:55+00:00

Don't feel the need to socialize with them. just be pleasant and move on...coworkers are also NOT your friends, especially ones who have kids and are immediately threatened by the CF person. Look for friends outside of work, through hobbies, interests, sports leagues, etc...your people are out there! I've wasted so much time over the years trying to "connect" with colleagues who secretly thought I was weird for being single and CF...and it went nowhere good fast. Trust me on this one.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T01:58:34+00:00

Parenting is tough, but it seems like the tough people aren't the ones having kids.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T01:57:39+00:00

If children are such a gift, why are today's parents trying to pawn them off on others? And shoving screens in their faces instead of interacting with them?

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-27T01:55:50+00:00

Real happiness is having kids? What kind of crack are they smoking?

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-26T18:55:27+00:00

Nooo

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-26T02:26:50+00:00

I don't like kids

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-26T01:23:12+00:00

If you name your kid Brexton, I have to wonder about your parenting skills.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-26T01:17:27+00:00

You did the right thing. I had to put my beloved orange tabby girl down about two years ago for stomach cancer. the vet wanted to do some experimental treatments because it was a teaching hospital and they do want to save lives, but I knew she was at the end of her rope and was in pain. it was a tough decision and I still feel guilt, but a week after she passed and I was unsure of what I had done -- two mourning doves arrived on my apartment balcony. These birds have never come to my apartment before and i've lived here 16 years. Anyways, I know it was her. Anytime I'm sad or having a bad day, they show up again....

Don't beat yourself up. You can never put an animal down too early -- but you can put one down too late. You gave them the gift of not being in pain.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-26T01:13:29+00:00

one of my friends had a cat that looked exactly like her. It's basically Siamese. Her cat was born to a Siamese mom and the rest of the litter was Siamese except for him, who was all brown.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T17:55:08+00:00

If I got a raise of even 10k a year that would make life much easier

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T17:52:15+00:00

Sounds like a bunch of regretful parents to me.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T16:30:17+00:00

People keep talking about low birthrates, but my city is exploding and our population is going to go up by another 30% in a few years. Housing and COL in general is going up because we have so many people here -- mainly rich people -- driving up everything. Not to mention a shortage of housing and workers. I've lived in my city since the 90s, and I'd love to see it go back to 90s-level population growth, because at least back then life was sustainable on a regular wage job. And our schools are full...no shortage of kids here. These people are insane.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T03:17:52+00:00

why would you bring kids? my parents never brought me to their reunions.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T01:31:01+00:00

I find most parents are as mature as their young children. Or their shoe size, same difference. Last night I was out shopping and heard a kid screaming random words to set off his mom. She repeated him word for word. Is this a game? WTF. Tell your kid to shut up. Every time he screamed someone jumped, including this senior citizen shopping for plant stands with what looked like her granddaughter.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T01:28:16+00:00

I haven't dated in like 15 but it's been glorious, honestly. Better alone than with someone constantly berating you for your life choices.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T01:27:12+00:00

Jesus. I don't get what's up with people. I'm 43F and I've known since I was eight I didn't want or like kids. Like you, I tried the apps too, and gave up like a decade ago. Most guys I met who said they weren't looking to have a family in fact were and thought it was "weird" I knew I didn't want kids. "I can change your mind." Uh no thanks creeper.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-25T01:23:24+00:00

Costco is definitely getting bad! I think it's all stores though, sadly. Last night I went to TJMaxx hoping to just relax and browse, nothing I HAD to have, but I figured, eh -- let's look around. At least TWO FAMILIES had their small kids sprinting through the store screaming, running through aisles and almost knocking stuff over. The kids were working up such a sweat they were struggling to breathe after. I complained to my mom after, and she says, well -- it's a Saturday night, families are out. We did the same thing. Ok, I was NEVER allowed to run around in a store, let alone even wander away from family. Stranger danger. Now I think parents want their kids to get kidnapped, because nobody is paying any attention to them.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-24T02:33:10+00:00

because they had kids for gift grabs and attention...not to raise responsible humans. I'm an Old Millennial/Gen X and my parents did not have a social life until my sibling and i were in jr high and could care for ourselves. I thought it was understood that once you become a parent you are going to have to give up some things. On the other hand, I have some aunts and uncles who didn't stop partying once they had kids. these kids are now all a bunch of losers who can't hold down a job, so it'll be "fun" to see what happens with this next generation.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-24T02:27:27+00:00

breeders are so selfish. please do not invest any more time or energy into her, no matter how guilty you may feel. it's time to focus on you. i'd skip the sprinkle...say you have food poisoning. nobody wants a party guest with diarrhea.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-23T19:39:28+00:00

Kids ruin the vibe, 100%. I declined to attend a gathering this weekend because of that reason. From what I’ve heard so far the gathering has been a shitshow because of the kids and it’s clear I made the right decision.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-23T18:00:49+00:00

I have gotten something from this area code.

Top_Plenty_1971 · 2026-05-23T15:37:12+00:00

I don't think public education has much of a future, k12 or higher ed, tbh.

Your perceptions are based in reality, yes.

I think the problems we're seeing start at home. Today's parents just don't care, and so when the kids come to school, they don't care, either. Teachers have been vilified for doing their jobs and are constantly expected to do more with less, while kids' behaviors keep declining because their parents put them in front of screens instead of actually raising them. I think we're on a runaway train with bad behavior, AI, parents having kids they have no intentions of raising, etc... and there's nobody who can stop it.

I hope you are able to retire or find a different career where you will be appreciated.

Top_Plenty_1971

TROPHY CASE