Choosing to stay a single child family

For months we (my hubby and I) have been talking about keeping the size of our family to three - that's us two and our little girl. I am interested in hearing from other single-child parents and ask how you went about your decision.

Did you ever feel pressured by the overwhelming number of 2+ children families?
Moms, do you react to the frequent sight of pregnant women ?
What criteria did you consider in your decision? Money? Your age? Your family experience? The environment? Can't get yourself to change another diaper again in your life?
Were you ever concerned about the notion that single children are lonely, selfish, etc.? How have you handled it?

I hope many of you will be willing to share your experience.

Anyone have a reptile? I have a chicken for you :(

Let me know if you would like it. It's freshly killed and about a month old. We keep chickens but a stray cat just got one of them :(
give me a call 

potty training goodies

We're starting to potty train our son. He loves books. If anyone has

a great potty training book or dvd they'd like to lend us, please send
me an email. Thanks!

I recommend : "GHOST Poop and other stories"

Feeling adventurous?Try...http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poop

Goldfish?

I hate to tell you this, but you can't keep goldfish in a bowl. To keep them humanely, you need at least a 5-gallon tank per fish, preferably more, with pumps and filters, the whole works.

Goldfish, when kept correctly, live to be at least 30 years old.

I found all this out when my kids brought home two fish from a carnival -- I too kept them in a glass bowl, and thought they would be happy with regular water changes. But when I started to do research on proper care, I learned that keeping them that way is cruel, akin to slowly torturing them to death.

How about a guinea pig?
P.

I was wondering if there were not larger issues and I'm very glad you responded. 

We're not prepared to deal with a tank, so I won't be getting any goldfish. Thank you   

for letting people know this. (But now you have to write to Elmo too!)

G.

Who said you can't keep goldfish in a bowl?

Head lice help!!!!

Go to the Lice Lady! (info below)

A few years ago my daughter came home with lice. A neighbor gave me the number for A. R. My daughter has very long, very thick hair. She combed it relentlessly and and patiently with a very fine toothed comb. First with just gobs of conditioner, then conditioner and baking soda. Then again after washing it. You can try this yourself, but the magical comb is key. All I have to say is that after we went, I combed (she sells the comb) my daughter's hair nightly for a week or two and never again found another nit, or egg.

Nothing. She is very thorough and never uses chemicals, ever. It was I think $80. 

Worth every penny for the peace of mind. 

Free-range kids. bad mommies, etc.

I thought the question of how to find ways to let kids have some autonomy might be something worth thinking about at a community. Check these links :

Helecopter Moms versus Free-range Kids

http://www.newsweek.com/id/133103/page/1

Free range kids

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/

So the story goes : 
"and the girl ran away with the chicken".

Man with a van