thanks, everyone!

One of the things that's really leaning me towards not having a child is the money factor. Let's face it, they're expensive, and will only get more expensive as they get older because I would want to expose the child to as much as possible in terms of culture and sports. Piano, ballet (every child should take ballet, boy or a girl, such a great launching pad for all other sports!), swimming, etc. aren't cheap!

Another thing I'm hesitant in giving up is my freedom and our "let's go snowboarding this week" mentality where we'll pick up and go in the middle of February. We won't be able to do that with a child in school.

I have a good friend who is a mother of a 16 month old. She is always telling me I need, yes, NEED to have one because she loves her son so much. That may be so, but I also see her staying up all night with his fever, worrying to death that his iron count is low, and getting hit by his wayward fists when he's having a whiny fit, and generally letting herself go for the sake of her son (she's lives/breathes for him, which I find a bit unhealthy).

But on the other hand, I'll see my 10 year old niece and realize just what a neat kid she is, how much fun I would have with my own discovering stuff I'm interested in (assuming he/she will share that interest!!).

It's not like I have a whole lot of time to ruminate over this, I'll be 38 in a couple of months and my boyfriend will be 42 in April. Maybe the decision will be made for us in not conceiving anyways!