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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We wanted kids, tried all the things, nothing worked. That ship has sailed. It’ll always hurt. But we have good lives, and know it. Parenthood is such a life-defining and -changing experience. How do you see people who don’t have kids? Do you feel bad for them? Don’t really think about it? What advice would you give your childless self? Thank you. [/quote]

Interesting post and many interesting responses. We wanted kids, had challenges, then successive success. The challenges took time so we are older parents. I know a number of folks who wanted kids and it didn't happen. Some are married, some are single. Perhaps because this journey took a bit of time for us, I generally wonder if a childless couple/person wanted kids (whom I've either never met or had this discussion) and may try to be mindful (not jabber on too much about the kids, etc). I saw via FB recently that a former colleague and her DH had a baby. She often requested that colleagues not check their phones/texts during work meetings - largely agree - but remained adamant when parents said they needed to do so during daily transitions (e.g., kids getting picked up from school, etc). I now think that her obstinacy on the latter may be due to the long time it took her and her DH to conceive.

I've tried hard to be w/o kids when I see friends w/o kids, though probably more so when my kids were younger. And now it is much easier as my kids are in late teens, who radiate their own "stay away" energy to adults - LOL.

For my childless self, I would hope that I could open my heart to connections with children of friends and relatives.

I try to imagine folks' lives and extend empathy. Everyone has a story.[/quote]

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