Since I was a child, I have never wanted to have children. Not much has changed, honestly. As I get older, however, I have more and more people asking me when I'll have children. I've heard a multitude of responses to my answer of "never," but here are a select few that I hear time after time:
1. "You'll change your mind."
If I had a dollar for every time that I heard this, I'd have enough money to support myself in this economy that you destroyed.
2. "What if your husband wants them?"
That's just too bad.
3. "Children are little miracles."
Did I ask?
4. "You'll be lonely when you get old."
Good. More time for me to binge watch my favorite shows.
5. "Your life will feel so unaccomplished."
What about my career? College? Getting out of bed? Those seem like pretty big accomplishments to me.
6. "You must hate children."
No, children are ok, but I don't want them around me 24/7.
7. "But it's a woman's job to bear children."
What is this? The 1950s?
8. "Baby fever is going to hit you hard."
Thank goodness that I can afford a doctor with all of this money I'm saving by not having kids.
9. "You must be a career woman."
Or maybe I just don't want kids.
10. "You won't understand just yet."
My feelings aren't invalid just because I don't have children.
11. "I didn't want kids either. Now I have seven!"
Good for you.
12. "Don't your parents want grandchildren?"
It's too bad for them that I'm my own person. Sorry, Mom.
13. "You're being selfish."
How?
14. "It must be nice to have no responsibilities."
Work isn't a responsibility?
15. "Your kids would look so cute, though."
I know. I'm adorable.
16. "Are you a lesbian?"
You realize that lesbians can have kids, right?
17. "You'll regret it later in life."
I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
18. "One day you won't be able to have them."
What's your point?
19. "What are you going to do with all that free time?"
Probably something cool like not spend time with kids.
20. "You'll feel different when you have kids of your own."
What do you mean 'when?'
21. "You'll change your mind when you meet Mr. Right."
Or maybe he'll respect my wishes like a decent human being?
22. "There are people who can't have kids."
What does that have to do with me?
23. "Oh, don't worry! You'll be a great mom!"
I wasn't worried. I just don't want kids.
24. "Birth isn't all that bad."
Of course not! It's not like it's the most painful thing that a woman can endure, right?
25. "I can't imagine not wanting kids."
OK but get this-- you aren't me.
26. "You'll never know love like a mother's love."
What about all of the love of my friends and family? Is my love for them not good enough?
27. "You just want attention."
Oh, dang. You caught me. Drats.
28. "Finding a husband is going to be hard for you."
I know that I'm picky, but you don't have to throw it in my face.
29. "You'll be so wealthy."
Well, it is in my plan.
30. "It's just a phase!"
Well my whole life must be a phase, then. Now it's time for me to phase out, homie.
As a woman that does not want children now or probably ever, I can testify that these are more or less actual responses that I have received. If you are also someone that does not want kids, I'm sure that you've heard a few of these as well. Just try to brush it off and remember that their opinion doesn't matter in the long run. You do you, comrade.
