[LiteraryLark]

I'm 21, college student, and I like to think about having kids. I like thinking of names and how I'll raise them. All is normal. I don't know if there is a place where young people like me go to talk about having kids, but I thought I'd at least try here.

If you haven't had kids, what names are you thinking of naming them and what parenting skills you'd use or avoid.

Names
Boy: Elijiah
Girl: Imogen

I don't know if I'd participate in Santa. I don't like the idea of lying to my kids about a special time during Christmas, but I don't want to not do Santa and have kids wish I did despite the heartbreak of finding out he's not real.

I would be as technology free as possible. Kids would not be allowed to play games on Mommy's phone, nor would they be getting tablets or computers for Christmas until they're old enough to need them for essays and school projects (middle school or high school). I would eliminate the television as the main entertainment. If anything, I'd have a screen projector so the focus would not be on watching TV all the time. They would have an allowance based on either household chores or reading, and with their allowance they'd get to choose what to spend it on, whether it's TV, special toys, computer use, sweets, etc. Reading would be a major requirement of the household, and reading would get even higher rewards than just household chores. I want my children to read books every day. Sweets would be limited and a reward or for the holidays, not just something to keep them from screaming at the grocery store. I'd take a lot of camping trips with them, lots of nature trips and see national monuments, and keep them as active as possible so they're not cooped up in the house all the time. I'd get them involved in lots of curricular activities. I'd like them to learn an instrument, play sports, and learn a language. I'd like them to learn Spanish at least from a young age, as it is the second most-spoken language in my state and they would benefit from it in the long run.

Can't think of anything else at the moment. How would you raise your kid?

[Lexi232]

those are cool names.
Im not sure on names myself. but parenting wise, i want to be someone who validates and listens to the child, instead of making them feel like their wants and needs dont matter..

I am 21 too. I was an only child so I think I only want one child myself.

Boy's name: Roman Malachi

Girl's name: Alexis Nichole

As someone with Autism, I would raise my child to be open minded and understanding to people's differences. If I had a girl, I would never teach her to base her worth on looks. I also wouldn't let her play with barbies or anything that undermines females.

It's also important to me that he/she learns self-sufficiency. I would teach my child from an early age basic living skills, like dressing themselves and preparing meals. I would let him/her learn from their mistakes, and not try to shelter them from everything. I would let my child use technology because we live in the 21st century.

I would want him/her to be able to talk to me and come to me when they need something, and I would validate them and let them know that they are loved. They would be allowed to come to me at any time, if I was on the phone and my child needed me, the person would have to call me back. Even though he/she might not be the most important person to everyone, they would be the most important person to me.

I would never spank. If I had to discipline my child I would take away a toy or use time-out. But most importantly, I would talk to him/her about why what they did was wrong. I think people underestimate kids and treat them like idiots. I won't use baby talk with my baby. I'll talk to him/her like a normal person from the beginning.

I'll let my child eat junk food as long as he/she eats healthy food, too. I don't think eating Mcdonald's occassionally has any effect when you're 7.

I've thought about this a lot...there are too many superficial, judgemental people in the world, and I would make one less.