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Both my S.O. and I are non-parents by choice. "Non-parents." How's that for a brand new PC word, eh?
Neither of us dislike babies or children; we just had different things we want to do with our lives, like travel, pursue careers, spend time together, etc. Oh, and both of us are very, very careful with our money. We understand that it's going to take a lot more $$ to retire, and we need every penny. After the recession hit, a lot of my friends lost jobs. Those with kids living at home? They went through the hurt to the point where I wonder if they'll ever be able to recover. It's really scary when I see couples supporting adult children who owe big college loans and can't get work to pay them off. Makes me realize that I made the right decision.
Our CF status really should be no offense to childed people. Hey, I'm happy if they're happy.
I'm childless, I'm a 24 yr old male, and most of my high school classmates have kids, and some of them graduated after I did (I graduated in '05). Recently I've been debating whether I really want kids, b/c I got my bachelors degree about two years ago followed by a job hunt that completely FLOPPED, followed by a few recent experiences, and the fact that everything has gotten so expensive. I'm currently working on my masters degree, and praying that my second time around is much more successful, but I told my mom w/ all that has recently happened that I probably will not be making any kids. I don't hate kids by any means, and prior to all of this happening, I said I had wanted a family, and loved the idea of the dad thing, but recently I've said "ummm...........probably not". Now I won't say never, my heart may be somewhere different in five years, but as of now, it's higihly unlikely. I mean why the hell would I want to rush to fatherhood after having to wait so long to get a full time job that I still have not gotten?
I've been sort of having second thoughts lately. But in this case it's (or it was) all very vague, hypothetical scenarios where my SO and I have a child (just one) and Christmas is fun again lol.
It all peaked when we were at the Piazza del Duomo in Milan. There was this beautiful tree, the Christmas lights were on and we were surrounded by families (and people trying to sell things, but that's another story I guess lol) where the children had this elated look on their faces. I kept thinking that maybe we were lacking something.
Thank goodness that the holidays are over and I'm slowly back at my usual "not for me" stance. Being consistent is important lol. Which may be selfish, but it's also about being self-aware and responsible. If I don't think I would be good enough as a mother, for whatever reasons, I shouldn't be one.
Too many folks out there become parents who don't have a clue how to raise a happy child. Happy as in providing for him (emotional, nutritional, educational needs), not as in spoiling him. Much less people should be having children, IMO, but since it's their self-centered (or God-centered) desire to have them...
I'm single and on the fence about being childfree. I was getting the pressure to get married and have kids but it has decreased significantly. While I could see having kids as being a wonderful experience, I also debate since the world is overpopulated, cost of living is expensive, and I enjoy my freedom. Not sure what to do!
I am married happily with no children. I always told myself that until the time was right and that I was financially secure and that my baby(ies?) would want for nothing that I would wait to be a parent. It is not something that you just jump into. It is a huge responsibility.
I am married happily with no children. I always told myself that until the time was right and that I was financially secure and that my baby(ies?) would want for nothing that I would wait to be a parent. It is not something that you just jump into. It is a huge responsibility.
So many people do not realize this and we pay for it with our tax dollars.
Gee, I'm surprised.
Childfree simply is people who CHOOSE to not breed.
Don't let definitions stop a good hate on, though.
I don't hate kids; I think there's an amazing amount of bad parenting out there.
I just don't want to have kids.
I have no interest in them when they're small but like them well enough when they can carry on conversations.
I guess some people would rather see people who don't want kids to breed and abuse them.
Agreed. I am proud to be child-free. The divorce would have been messy if I weren't. Its a chhoice, and I am one who thinks children are not cute when they bawl and create a scene in Kroger, and Mom looks on like they are cute and does nothing to correct the behavior.
I have also seen many in bad marriages where the wife uses the kids as financial pawns. very sad.
I decided to be childless in my mid-30s. I was loving my freedom (still do), and realized that my heart wasn't generous enough to put a child in first place (as required).
People are surprised that I don't have children. Ah, who knows why ... Parenthood isn't for everyone, obviously.
Hmmm ... when asked, I politely and candidly tell them that parenting isn't for me because my lifestyle (and plans) allows no room for children.
I'm surprised, frankly, that they are surprised that I'm not a mom. It's pretty normal for ME.
I decided to be childless in my mid-30s. I was loving my freedom (still do), and realized that my heart wasn't generous enough to put a child in first place (as required).
Required by who???
"first place" is fluid around here. Sometimes I'm at the top, sometimes it's a child, sometimes it's my husband.
"first place" is fluid around here. Sometimes I'm at the top, sometimes it's a child, sometimes it's my husband.
If more people understood this, there's be a lot more happy marriages.
Reps to ya.
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