Thanks for the clarification- I asked about kids because I would like to have kids, so it will be relavent if I go into this field. I was looking for insights from parents, so I got exactly what I asked for. I was trying to avoid the whole "read my boring autobiography then tell me what to do with my life" situation in my original post- thats why I just asked about working and raising children instead of going into my current personal situation. I assumed that anyone who replied would do so because they felt like sharing. I appreciate the responses and I don't feel like I forced anyone to put forth a ton of effort for no reason, though I'm sorry of that was really the case. Can I try this again?
I am married and in my 20's, no kids but I want to have one or two in the future. My husband does shift work as well, but I do have family in the area who could help out with child care from time to time. I did the EMT-B course in high school and loved it, but I ran off and joined the Army instead of working in the field. Now that I'm back at home and settling down, I'm seriously considering going back to school, getting into EMS and becoming a Paramedic if it turns out I enjoy the work and have the aptitiude. I know there are a million other considerations before picking a career and I have been doing a ton of research, but every Firefighter and EMT I know is super young or a lifelong bachelor. What I would like to hear is the experiences of full time EMTs and Paramedics who have kids, especially if your spouse works as well. Is it doable? Do you have to depend on family members for child care all the time? What type of agency do you work for? Do you feel that your career is simply too demanding of your time to care for a child as well?
I figured a long and not very exciting wall of text would not get me off on the right foot here, but I guess my original question was insufficient. I dind't mean to come back and complain that people couldn't read my mind and know my exact situation, it just seemed like some of the replies were geared toward someone who was trying to start in the field while already a single parent. It is really amazing and encouraging that people out there have managed to do so, though.