for (my $counter = 1;$counter < $MAXCHILDREN;$counter++)
  {
     if (my $pid = fork)
     {
       # in parent, do nothing
     }
     elsif (! defined $pid)
     {
       print "fork failed! -->$!\n";
       exit;
     }
     else
     {
       my $new_dbh = $dbh->clone();
       print "I'm child $$\n\twith db handle $new_dbh\n";
       exit;
     }
  }