What is so wonderful about having children?

[Anonymous]

I married late in life and have no desire to have children. DH has children from previous marriage. When other women learn that I dyes them to have children, they immediately launch into sermons about how I need to give my husband a child, having children is so rewarding, etc. I don't understand why so many women do this. What is so wonderful about having children that women feel the need to convince me to have them?

[Anonymous]

As long as and your husband are on the same page, it doesn’t what anybody else thinks. Smile politely at the lecturers, tell them thank you for your opinion, and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as and your husband are on the same page, it doesn’t what anybody else thinks. Smile politely at the lecturers, tell them thank you for your opinion, and move on.

I agree with PP, but you can only smile and nod at someone's unsolicited advice so many times. . . have you practiced your RBF?

[Anonymous]

It isn't wonderful if you and your spouse don't want to have them but give in to social pressure.

[Anonymous]

If you don’t want children, dont have them. It’s that easy.

There are rewards to everything in life. Live by your own rewards.

I’ll be honest, as I think you’re trolling, and this is a specifically parenting forum on a mostly parenting board.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely nothing. They are cute little monkeys, but they turn your life upside down and are a major life adjustment. If you like having money, downtime, travel, and flexibility, don't have kids.

You have a great situation. Cultivate a great and loving relationship with your step children, and start some traditions with them. You can enjoy many of the perks of parenthood, like celebrating holidays, vacations, and milestones with them - you can be a "bonus parent" to them, and that is a great outlet and opportunity to be nurturing.

Kids are wonderful because it's neat to watch tiny humans grow up, and they are hilarious and give you a sense of family, continuity, and you learn to love very very deeply. But they are also a TON of work, and that deep love comes with a deep and constant obsession with their safety and development.

[Anonymous]

You know you don't want kids. I knew that I did. What's wonderful is that both of these things are okay.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. I'm not one of those people who enjoy children. Come sit by me.

[Anonymous]

I love my kids but would never tell another woman she "must" or even should have them. It's indeed very rewarding to experience the love and bonding between parent and child, and to watch little humans you made grow and develop. It can also be really hard and often tedious and really not for everyone. You do you.

[Anonymous]

I love my kid, more than words can say. Having her has been a joyful, humbling experience.

But I also firmly believe that if you don't want kids, you shouldn't have them. They are wonderful, and raising them is really hard, on many different levels.

I'd also advise to stop talking about your childbearing plans or lack thereof with other people. Just say something vague and noncommittal. Agree with them that kids are great! And then ask about their kids and change the topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t want children, dont have them. It’s that easy.

There are rewards to everything in life. Live by your own rewards.

I’ll be honest, as I think you’re trolling, and this is a specifically parenting forum on a mostly parenting board.

Why would I ask childless people this question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I married late in life and have no desire to have children. DH has children from previous marriage. When other women learn that I dyes them to have children, they immediately launch into sermons about how I need to give my husband a child, having children is so rewarding, etc. I don't understand why so many women do this. What is so wonderful about having children that women feel the need to convince me to have them?

Get better friends. It strangers do this, kick them.

[Anonymous]

Surely if you married later, you've been around long enough to know that people like to give unsolicited advice. Just ignore them, problem solved.

[Anonymous]

The happiest marriages are those without children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t want children, dont have them. It’s that easy.

There are rewards to everything in life. Live by your own rewards.

I’ll be honest, as I think you’re trolling, and this is a specifically parenting forum on a mostly parenting board.

Why would I ask childless people this question?

Because they have equally valid reasons for being childless as people with children have for having children?