Just last week, I was shopping at a store among several other women who were minding their own business. Unfortunately, as I was browsing through the shirts, the doors of the store opened and in ran three rambunctious children. I became annoyed immediately and could feel my anxiety start to boil deep inside me. As time went on, the children kept disrupting my peaceful shopping trip and their parents continued to laugh over their “precious” children.

But wait, it gets worse.

So I’m going to throw it out there that I have a very weak stomach when it comes to certain subjects or smells… So imagine my disgust when one of those little rugrats ran past me clenching his bottom with his hand shrieking “MOM I GOTTA POOP, I KEEP FARTING!”

As the child frantically searched for his mother, I stood in the middle of the store dry heaving from not only what the kid had said, but from the rotten smell that followed him.

That my friends, was the moment I decided I would never have kids.

But truthfully there was never a time when I wanted children of my own, even before this horrific and life altering experience. When I was a little girl, I never said cutesy things like “I can’t wait to be a mommy!” I occasionally played with baby dolls when I was younger but pretending to be a mother never truly interested me.

I see post after post on social media made by women of all ages claiming to have “baby fever.” Urban Dictionary tells us that “baby fever” is when a girl starts feeling a strong desire to have a baby, possibly to the point of obsession. I am thankful every day that I seem to be immune to this horrendous fever.

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “oh, she’ll change her mind!”

Let me stop you right there.

Please, do not waste your breath trying to force me into believing that procreating is something I HAVE TO DO. All jokes aside, having children is a personal decision. I am a woman but I am not obligated to reproduce. If you want to have kids or you are already a mother, that’s great. To each their own!

Whether you agree with me or not, some people seriously lack maternal instincts and I am one of those people. Keep in mind, this does not make me less of a woman. You may think I am selfish for never wanting kids and that’s okay, you’re entitled to your opinion.

Who knows, maybe in ten years I’ll be pushing around a stroller. For the time being, I’m going to continue to stress over school and work and I’m content with that.