WE ARE CHILDFREE

When I was 3, I told my parents I never wanted kids. I remember they laughed at the time. It was cute, right? They had just shared ‘how babies are made,’ and well, that’s ew to a 3-year old.

But I REALLY didn’t want kids. I’m 52 now, and have never swayed in that opinion. I’ve never had ‘what if?’ thoughts about kids, though I’ve had some super-odd pregnancy dreams.

As I got older, my reasoning for staying childless changed.

There are too many people. Too many people are having kids when they don’t want to (my mom was a therapist at an abortion clinic for a while). Kids are expensive. The world is going to hell.

Whether intentional or not, I realized that I can do more good without kids. I can do more for myself and others. I work at a university. It’s great, but I also play in a touring band and teach aerial arts. I’m busy, active, give to my community, to my husband (married happily for 24+ years) and MYSELF. There is no shame in the ways I give.

I would have never been able to live the life I have with kids. I get to travel, decide to do something on a whim, and have silent solitude. I don’t have to worry about small human lives and minds.

I’ve taken flack for my decision. Some family members and friends told me I’d change my mind. Recently, I’ve had more than one person tell me I’m lucky, or they wished they had known that not having kids was an option (no matter how much they love them).

I am 52 and childfree and will continue to live my best life without regret.