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Comment by lampe3 | Hacker News Reader

Because there is nothing more beautiful than a baby smiling at you just because you look at her/him?

I get that with nieces and nephews. And the crying. And the diaper changing. And the sullen teen angst. And pretty much every other experience.

Babies cry, that is how they communicate. Yes you have to change diapers, it's not that hard. Waking up at night every 2 to 3 hours because the baby wants to eat. Yes teens are teens and?

Pretty much life as it always was... Sounds to more like people are stuck in a comfort zone Or in a TV world of the 80s/90s with sitcoms like full house.

You’re mistaking my covering of the entire baby experience (sans childbirth) as disliking those things. They’re just baby things.

My point is, I can get the full experience (namely the called out smiling) without them being mine.

It sounds to me like you should have gotten a puppy instead. Cheaper, cuter and can learn not to shit everywhere in 14 days or so.

Okay sorry got the wrong.

I can tell you from experience, it is different if it is your own child.

And yet, I don’t feel any lack. I have two nieces who call me “Dad” because their own don’t love them. I have helped three nieces and nephews reach adulthood. I have another nephew who was just born and giggles at my voice.

And, as much as I don’t have the experience to say how my life would be different with a child, you appear to lack the experience to know how your life would be different without a child.

I have over 25 years of childless adult life, an experience many of my parent acquaintances don’t - can’t - have. It’s been a fulfilling life.

If they call you dad, and you helped raise them, you are a father. Adopting kids isn't being childless.

I didn’t adopt them, they still lived with their single mother.

That said, I appreciate the sentiment. Thank you. :)

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