What do you think of people who don't want kids?

[brian8713]

I'd be curious to get some feedback from both those who have kids and those who don't.

I don't hate kids. I just don't think I'd enjoy being a parent. I like to sleep in on the weekends, relax with some good tv, open a bottle of wine and enjoy my life. I feel like kids would get in the way of that.

Not to mention kids would inevitably lead to conflict in a marriage. My ex-husband wanted kids, and he wanted them to attend Catholic schools. I said absolutely not because (1.) I'm not Catholic, and (2.) There are good public schools in the area.

I have 3 cats. They're like my children. I feed them their breakfast before I get something to eat. One day, if I'm able to retire, I'd like to volunteer at an animal shelter (and maybe get first dibs on all the cool cats!! Lol). Cats are my passion in my life. Not children.

Does that make sense to you? Both parents and non-parents? A part of me feels like I let my parents down because I'm an only child and they want grand kids, but I'm also gay and would adopt if I did have children.

I want to live my life for me. Is that so selfish? Maybe it is. Positive and negative replies welcome.

[JaniceSW]

I think I can speak on this subject.  I am almost 70 years old and never wanted more than 2 children.  At one point when I was younger, I doubted I would have more than one.  My oldest daughter did not have her only child until she was 35.  She stated that she was unsure she wanted a child for many years and after she had my granddaughter she decided she was done.  My youngest daughter is now 38.  Her and her husband have decided they don't want kids.  They both have very good paying jobs but like their life as is.  I say, "Kudos!" for knowing yourself well enough to make such decisions.  Maybe if more people gave thought to this decision there would be less neglected and abused children.  Furthermore, maybe there would be families with less children where the children already born could be provided more opportunities.

[timvolley]

i think having kids or not is a personal decision and as a single person i like to have kids but  dont see the need to have any. Im sure having kids or anything different in your life  means you make changes in  your routines but im sure anyone can get used to it if they really wanted to.

[braggin]

I think it is just fine if you don't want kids. My daughter is almost 40 and never wanted kids. Even as a little girl she said she didn't want kids. It is no good to have kids when you really don't want them and I don't want to be the grandmother of kids whose mother doesn't want them either. My other daughter has kids and, of course, I spend a lot more time with her than my other daughter because of it, but it doesn't mean I love her more.

[articx]

I don't have any kids, and don't want any. My experience from babysitting has shown me this is something I don't want for myself.

[michele2042]

I have one child (38 years old).  I respect anyone who decides to have a child or not have a child.  My son is not married and does not have any children.  While I would love to have a daughter in law and grandchildren I love my son and it's his life and he can decide what he wants out of it. 

[NRAJOE]

Fine by me...their decision....think of all the money you spend on raising them....

[gwilson31]

My spouse has a son from his first marriage.....but I never had the desire to have any children.

[brian8713]

I think part of it too might be that I had a bad childhood. I was bullied at home and bullied at school. I got beat up every day during gym class. My teachers didn't care. My dad was physically abusive to me, and being an only child, I grew up very lonely. I now have anxiety and depression. I wouldn't wish this fate on my worst enemy, so you can see why I might be a bit reluctant to bring a child into this world.

[debidoo]

I think there is nothing wrong with it - it is a personal decision everyone has a right to make. I love my two grown sons but if I had the decision to do over I don't know that I would have kids. It is a difficulty that doesn't end even when they grow up.

[mrisha]

Having kids is a personal choice.  If you don't want kids, don't have them.  You could end up disliking an unwanted child which is not their fault.

[heypeg]

I think that it is a personal choice and really is no one else's business.

[cathy37]

I think that whether or not to have kids is a personal decision.  If you are not sure you want to be a parent then please don't bring children into the world that will be mistreated because after they are here you decide you don't want them.

[alina6]

I think it would have been more selfish to have kids and then say you wanted to live for yourself. You know what you want (or don't want) and are living your life that way. I say go for it. I on the otherhand have kids and wouldn't want it any other way. Good luck to you.

[Tresbn00]

I have wanted to have children since I was sixteen years old so that I could bring them up with all of the love and resources a child could possibly handle with the hopes that my children would become among the best in adults. I have succeeded and my goals now need to be rearranged. I grew up in a broken family, went to some of the worst schools, was exposed to seemingly constant unwarranted violence. I wanted to prove that I could do the exact opposite of the way I was brought up.  I do not judge people's decision to have, or not have, children. Different strokes for different folks. Other people's goals are not mine. If you do not want to have children-don't. If people decide to have children, I believe that they should be prepared to sacrifice anything and everything for their children's welfare.