I think you hit on something really valid there: if you're not sure you want them, don't have them. The way I see it, once you're a parent, that's your job. You don't get a life of your own. You have to be completely prepared to live 24 hours a day for the care and good of another person. I've seen the consequences of half-assed parenting too many times to believe it's anything less than an all-or-nothing proposal.

I can't give that. I like having money and spending it. Sleeping all day or going to a movie if I want to. I like not having to put a lot of thought or effort into what's for dinner. I don't live much beyond the end of my nose, you might say. Maybe that makes me short-sighted and selfish, but at least I'm honest enough to admit that it makes me not ready to take that ultimate step of parenting.