There is a new trend for millennials, waiting longer to get married and not being so focused on having children. Back in the day if you weren't married and expecting/already had a kid, there was something wrong with you, but today that's almost been overturned. As someone who isn't 100% sold on having children in the future, these are 6 things I'm tired of hearing when I say I don't want kids.
1. "You'll change your mind."
Sure, when I'm older I MIGHT consider it, but right now I'm 20 years old and can barely raise myself, let alone a much tinier me that poops a bunch. There's nothing wrong with not wanting kids right now at this point in time and quite frankly, it's not any of your business.
2. "What about the couples that can't have children?"
Listen here buddy, I feel for those couples that are struggling to have a child. It's not something I would wish upon my worse enemy. That being said, am I supposed to birth a human simply because of that? No, that's not fair. The only life situations that should affect my life are my own and my family. It's not the road that everyone takes.
3. "You'll never experience true love until you have a child."
Well, that's all fine and dandy but I don't think that our sole purpose on this earth is to experience "true love". Don't get me wrong, I'm a hardcore romantic, but we should be our own true love.
4. "Having a child is pure joy and bliss."
Ummmmmmmm, no it really isn't. I have five siblings and I can't think of one point in time that my mom felt blissful or joyous about us unless we were out of the house or sleeping. In fact, all I hear from parents is that children are hard work, time consuming, and to say goodbye to your social life and marriage once you have a kid so no, I'm not looking forward to it.
5. "You must only care about yourself."
Since when is caring about yourself the worst thing in the world? I don't want to struggle at 23 because I couldn't wait to have a child. With all the horrible things in this world, why would anyone want to bring a child into this world? Sure it sounds selfish but it's not really up for your judgement.
6. "Calling pets your children is an insult to mothers everywhere."
I don't understand how claiming a pet to be my child is offensive. They poop everywhere, wake you up in the middle of the night because they have to use the bathroom and I worry about my pets just like a mother would a child. Everyone says having a pet is a huge responsibility, but then when you call it your child it's suddenly offensive.
Everyone chooses different life paths. As a complete stranger or even a family member, you shouldn't feel entitled to judge the path that I am taking for my life.
