speedbumps on the road to parenthood

A couple days ago, I noted that my enthusiasm for having and raising a child of my own has gone from being practically zero a decade ago to something where now, while I remain far from baby-crazy, I could at least be considered baby-eccentric or, better, baby-disturbed. Backstage here at JFW, the post provoked a polyperson e-mail conversation on the pros and cons of childbearing that included two friends of mine who are "partners for life" but have not yet embarked on the near-anagram project of being "parents for life." Their stances:

She: I'm about at 60% too (assuming your chart is a true reflection of where you are.). More of me wants one than doesn't. He absolutely does not want one. So, there's really no debate to be had. But, I keep thinking he may change his mind...

He: I actually have changed my mind about having a child. I used to want one. Maybe I'll change my mind again. As of now, I would be okay with you having a child (with my sperm, even, but with no legal responsibility) as long as it was your hobby (like watering the plants), and I didn't have to live in the same permanent residence with it. I suppose, though, that you would want to live with it and do all those "living with your children" type of things that parents oftentimes do...