What are some full filling alternatives to having children?

Question

What are some full filling alternatives to having children?

Answer 1

(sorry you think adoption is sick and sad,but i will try to help you anyway!)

A lot of people become involved with children throughout their jobs.they see this as a way of helping,by becoming a social worker,teacher,coach,etc. many older people nowadays travel overseas to work with deprived children as volunteers. many of the above do this because either (1) they don't want children,but see this as a way to help other children instead

(2) maybe they want children badly,but feel they can feel better by making children their career instead.

Also many people maybe not be in child oriented jobs,but spend their free time helping out with brownies,scouts,etc. a lot of people get a pet as a way to love and care for something else.

Answer 2

You know, if you put it like this, it only emphasizes the selfish basis in all our activities, including having children.  

I think that the focus should be changed from fulfilling oneSELF to doing what's best for others and for the world.  

And that can only come from understanding onerself and one's motivations.

Answer 3

You know, I think many of the things people mentioned are all good, fullfilling things, but nothing could be as fullfilling to me as being a mother.

Answer 4

You asked: What's more fulfilling than "having children"?

How about going beyond the "having children", and instead help to correctly raise children.

Almost anyone can "have children" - it's a highly overrated ability.  But correctly raising children takes a special talent that takes so much more effort, and is sooooo much more fulfilling than simply "having children".  My sister gained so much more fulfillment as a Nanny than did the mother who never spent time with the child.

You want fulfillment - it's well within your reach.  There are innumerable ways you can help raise the next generation in a healthy and selfless way.  Even if you think you hate kids ... given them a chance by volunteering as a big brother or sister or some other way.  They'll change your mind for you.

Answer 5

Group s*x, overly indulgent travel, sleeping until you choose on the weekend, not rolling over on top of your cuddly toddler when they climbed in your bed in the middle of the night, the joy of making it through a hot meal in a restaurant with out having to accompany your precious little bundle of joy to the potty.

There is, however, absolutely no sufficient substitute for the first time they say "I love you, Daddy". It never gets old hearing it either...

Answer 6

pets.

focus on career

travel

going on missions.

volunteering to be a mentor.

Answer 7

There are absolutely not alternatives to having/raising children!  How could there be?  Having/raising children is a way of connecting yourself to the future of humanity, nothing can replace that.  

What I want to know is how anyone who believes in family can think that mastering another language could ever even come close?

Answer 8

in regards to being a positive influence on children without parenting them:

mentoring

becoming an educator

tutor

open up your home as a "safe haven" for lack-key kids

work for a youth agency

donate to a youth agency

serve on the board of a youth agency

host "parents' night out events" and let the children stay at your place for the evening. show movies, read stories and let the kids bake cookies. while mom and dad have a romantic night alone.

volunteer at a school club

i've personally done all of these; and some of my best experiences were seeing these young people grow up, graduate from school and go on to be productive adults.

Answer 9

i couldn't come up with anything for us personally that would be better than being a parent.  so we became parents.

Answer 10

I'm happy without children.  I enjoy creative writing, long walks, my cats, reading, movies, volunteering at the local animal shelter, and having a very clean and quiet apartment.  (-:

And I teach college.  Once the kids are old enough to start their own lives, I'm here to teach them critical thinking--to help them explore their own beliefs, thoughts and opinions.  It can be frustrating, but it's very rewarding too.  I suppose if I enjoyed the company of younger children, I'd teach elementary or high school.

Answer 11

Become a teacher.

Really master another language.

Join the Peace Corps

Volunteer in an area you're passionate about--literacy, homelessness, working with children...

Be a Big Brother/Sister

Travel to a place not many others get to see

Help 'save' something.  Work in historic preservation, the arts, the environment.

Help people in the Third World for a charity

Help someone do something that's 'easy' for you, but hard for them.

Answer 12

Sponser one or more children from a 3rd world country and watch them grow up with health care, food and schooling.

Take in your pets from shelters, or volenteer some of your time at an animal shelter.

use the spare cash to go travelling

spoil your nieces and nephews and so on,

create your dream lifestyle

Take up hobbies and attend courses

Answer 13

I assume "having children" means raising them. These ideas are full filling but not the same:

Be a big brother or sister

Run a daycare

Nieces and nephews

Become a teacher

Foster parent

Just to name a few.

Answer 14

Why does there have to be an alternative? I wanted to be a mother but was unable to get pregnant. There are thousands of children available for adoption in the U.S. alone -- why should they go without parents? Do you honestly believe they're better off in foster care than with people who *want* to be parents? I don't. Nothing in my life is as fulfilling (the correct way to spell it, by the way) as being a mother. I have a dog. I love her to bits. Is she a good substitute for my son? Not a chance. The love I have for my son and the joy he gives me are unsurpassed by anything else in my life. I have a career that I enjoy and happen to be quite good at. It involves children and I believe that I make a big difference in their lives. That's great and I wouldn't want to do any other job. But I'd give it up in a heartbeat if I had to make a choice between it and my son. Really, there is no comparison. Are you really expecting that someone who wants to be a mother will be influenced not to adopt by reading this question? Seriously. There are lots of people who choose not to have children; for them, there are plenty of things that are *better* than parenting. But for someone who wants to parent and really wants to have a child in his/her life, your question is just nonsense. Stir, stir, stir.

Answer 15

Volunteer as a "baby cuddler" at the local hospital. Many neonatal intensive care wards have volunteers in to assist with touch therapy.