Do you have children?

[spooky3]

A post in another thread about how average citizens do not have time for politics because they are busy with families, etc., made me curious. How do DUers manage to find the time that others don't have? Are they less likely to have child care responsibilities?

What is your family situation?

When I say "I have" or "my children" etc. below, I am including your significant others' child/children to the extent that they are living with you or are otherwise heavily involved in your life.

Please pick the best description of your situation. Obviously there are so many different types of living situations I couldn't capture all of them or correctly nuance everything--apologies in advance.

[GrumpyGreg]

1. Kids long gone-6 grandchildren !!! Life is good !

[Clark2008]

9. But you DO have children.

They may not live at home, but you do have them.

Of course, they probably, as adults, don't need you for day-to-day caregiving (I hope! :) ), but I'm sure they call upon you for help, guidance and grandchildren spoiling-sitting duties! :7

[GrumpyGreg]

34. Yes,I'm there when they need me but they are all pretty independent.

The grandchildren-spoling-sitting dutes are the best. Lots of sleepovers----and then they go home.LOL

[Arugula Latte]

2. I have two elementary age kids, but I'm on DU a lot.

It's a priority.

[mike_c]

3. been there, done that....

She's cool, doing her own thing.

[maveric]

4. I have a 15 and 20 year old living with me.

My oldest, 24, lives on his own.

[waiting for hope]

5. I have two children

Ages 5 and 15 months and they live with me all the time - work full time as well. The only time I can DU is at work (when no one is looking) and at this time at night..

[Tikki]

6. We have at least one child over 19....

who happens to be a single father.
Mr. Tikki and I are full-time helping him raise his child, who is under the age of 5.




The Tikkis

[spooky3]

7. very interesting so far--DUers look just as busy as everyone else

with kids and other care responsibilities.

They may also be busy with work, political activism, volunteer work, etc.

[Clark2008]

12. I was actually involved in the conversation that probably

spurred this thread.

I have a smallish child - he'll be 7 in May - and, yet, as a single mother (at the time - newly re-married), I still had time to keep up with current events, drag my baby to political rallies when he was 4 years old (that's a good idea, btw, you always get to meet the politician because they beeline to cute kids. LOL), take him with me to vote AND work, cook, clean, mow the lawn, teach him to read, wax poetic on DU, and attend deadbeat dad court hearings.

I know where you're going with this - and I applaud you.

I don't like hearing that "I don't have time" from folks who know more about American "Idle" than about what really could effect their lives. I can keep up with it and so can, apparently, most DUers.

What makes us different from some of these "average" Americans who can't seem to break from the soap operas of alleged reality TV long enough to learn that one seemingly remote vote can seriously effect their personal lives?

[spooky3]

32. Hi, Clark, yes, it was your thread/post that got me to thinking.

And I totally agree with you.

[LynzM]

8. We have a 3.5 year old

In addition, we both work full time, and I'm a part-time student. So don't give me "I don't have time for politics." Much time, sure. No time to be actively involved, ok. But no time to pay attention at all? I don't buy it. Make it a priority to know a little bit about what's going on, instead of watching TV all night! :)

[Pirate Smile]

10. 1 A and 2 B's. - Three kids ages 4, 7 and 8 plus a dog and a cat.

Oh, and a hubby too.

[Clark2008]

15. Sub-poll

Who has children of the four-legged variety, as well?

Some of these critters are every bit as needful as children - mostly dogs, because cats probably don't need as much day-to-day care (i.e. cats don't inhale all their food at one sitting, so you can leave several meals scattered about if you must be gone overnight, plus they go in liter boxes and don't need to be walked).

Two dogs, here, myself.

[imaginary girl]

26. 2 dogs, 2 cats, one child and another on the way ...

The kids definitely require more care, btw ... though all are wonderful additions to the family.

[willing dwarf]

Kids bring a sense of responsiblity

which demands that we pay more attention and work harder for change.

Until I had kids, I felt more like a renter than an owner of the problems at hand. For some reason, once I had kids, I realized I couldn't point my finger at anyone else for being the way it was. I had become part of the crowd I'd always pointed my finger at.

[Sperk]

11. most people watch at least two hours of t.v. a night....they should

throw out the boob tube and spend a few hours a night with DU! If I had to choose between my t.v. and my computer....NO CONTEST!

[Glorfindel]

13. I made the choice LONG ago...no TV, period

I do LOVE movies, though, but they're not the constant, on-all-the-time sort of thing that TV seems to be to most people. I haven't watched TV in more than 20 years, so most of the discussion of Fox News, Tweety, CNN, MSNBC, etc., that takes place here just goes over my head. I get my news from NPR, online, from newspapers, and a few magazines. I don't miss TV at all.

[Ecumenist]

14. I have no children...yet

My husband and I are trying and hoping for at least one.

[shanti]

16. i have four sons

three are over 24 and out of the house, and my last one lives with me (he's 16). i'm a single parent. i have time for politics now, but up until 2000, had no time or interest in politics. it's kind of hard to be political when you're a returning college student single parent with 3 small children!

[Ilsa]

17. Oops. I voted on the wrong line. I would have been the first to vote for

having a disabled child requiring care, and I know there are others on this board with the same predicament.

[Neil Lisst]

18. I have 3 in their mid 20s, all out of the nest, all working.

But Ole Dad is always fixing something, or slipping them a little cash. I have a great relationship with them. They're all competent, hard-nosed, responsible adults who live their political and social beliefs.

If I were still raising kids, I wouldn't be posting here all the time. If I still had building my career in front of me, I wouldn't be here, either. I've earned the ability to screw off, so it's about time I do.

[Clark2008]

19. But, I'm guessing you still took the time to learn about the issues,

read the news and vote, didn't you?

[Neil Lisst]

21. ALWAYS!!

Are you kidding me? Two of them worked for John Kerry in the 2004 campaign, with my encouragement and er, support. The third was off protesting at various places over food issues.

I sent them out to fight the good fight in my stead. I've had it with the campaign trail, although I did it for many years and many races.

[Mikimouse]

20. I have two adult daughters, but we have been estranged for years

That doesn't mean that I don't know what they are doing though. I'm very proud of them both.

[SPKrazy]

22. How About Between 5 and 13 Living With Me ALL The Time? n/t

[MassLiberal]

23. I have two between 5-13 and one who's 15

living with me all of the time.

[Beausoir]

24. I have FIVE children. 10, 7, 4, 4, 3.

And I MAKE time for politics because my children are Latino/a and therefore are a target for filthy hatemongering Republicans.

[MelliMel]

30. Mine are 17, 15, 14, 12, and 5. Can we trade?

Please? Pretty please?

[PatrioticLeftie]

25. Other

Much too young to be hacing kids. Preoccupied with school most of the time, but like to stay up to date on the world.

[patsimae]

27. We have two

One in college, another who is going to college in the fall.

These issues are just too important to us for us to not pay attention.

[kineneb]

28. no kids, but taking care of disabled Hubby

three trips/week to dialysis clinic (50 mi. round trip) plus at least 3 doctor visits per month. Also, overseeing his special diet, and changing meal plans every month to fit his blood labs. Job description: health care aid, driver, shopping expert, cook, bookkeeper, communications interface, etc. I do it all. I am tired.

[REP]

31. Sounds Familiar

I'm only stage 2, but the rest sure sounds familiar ... only I'm in charge of taking care of me (plus I have a bathroom that looks like a lab; I do my own dipstick testing).

[MelliMel]

29. I have 5.

3 are teenagers. I don't have time for much, but I do what I can with what I have.

As my profile says, I do not recommend 3 teenaged boys to anyone. It's almost surreal.

[karlrschneider]

33. No kids...3 doggies & a puddy tat.

:D