Am I unusual to want to remain childfree?!

[C1239]

Just that really, I’m mid 30s, have two SS who are 8 and 10, I enjoy my relationship with them, I have been in their lives since they were 2 & 3. I enjoy spending family time with them but also love the times when it’s just my partner and I. I have never imagined having my own biological children yet people often comment that I ll regret this or if I enjoy being a stepmum why don’t I have my ‘own’.

Surely it’s ok to enjoy being a stepmum without wanting to be a biological mum 24/7?!

[Poptart4]

It's not at all unusual. I know quite afew child free women in their 30's, 40's & 50's. And they are perfectly happy with their lives.

Having children is not for everyone and I say that as a mother of 4.

[WhatATimeToBeAlive]

Not at all - it's really not unusual these days. I'm early 50s and never wanted kids and still don't regret my choice. A lot of friends my age don't have them either and that was also their choice.

[Juliet2014]

Oh come on OP.

Really?

As if you’re being unreasonable.

[TheGoogleMum]

It is totally fine to not want your own children! I have a friend who got guilted into having a child her partner wanted when she had been up front about never wanting children and her mental health has suffered as a result. If you don't want kids please don't have them! I think more and more people are choosing not to have kids now it isnt so unusual

[Plummy987]

I'm mid thirties too, and don't want kids. Sadly I think some people are still quite judgemental about women in particular remaining childfree and it's something I struggle with sometimes too.

[violetbunny]

I'm 39, have been with DP for 8 years, no kids. I agree people can be quite judgemental. If they ask why I don't have kids then I just say it's because I prefer cats... which is 100% true

[Dozer]

Not at all U for anyone not to want biological (or indeed any!) DC! Probably much simpler not to for your family’s set up, that sounds to be working well.

Bear in mind though that should your relationship with your partner break down, or other unfortunate events, you may not have much ongoing contact with your step DC, that sometimes happens.

[PenCreed]

A lot of people can't comprehend that others have different preferences to them and make different life choices. Like people who are staggered that some people like to spend two weeks sunbathing by a pool, whilst they prefer to do all the touristy stuff and vice-versa. Or people who can't imagine why someone would want to live in the country not the city etc etc etc. It's just that with having children, it's still assumed that most people will (and indeed, most people do) so it's even harder for them to contemplate that not everyone wants to do it.

It's tedious. Not everyone is the same and makes the same choices, that's what makes life interesting.

[Helmlover1]

Not unusual at all. I’m in my 30s, child free and have a great life. Sadly, however, I know many people who regret having kids and you don’t have to look far on this site alone to know the grass is not always greener. Be proud of your choices OP.

[Dozer]

People can be so rude asking about or passing comment on others’ personal business!

[sammylady37]

Not at all unusual. I’m very happily childfree at 40 and know others who are the same, and I have interacted with many similar people online.

Prepare to be judged, criticised, belittled, be good you don’t know your own mind, that your life is empty and meaningless, asked who’ll look after you when you’re old and asked why you’re on a forum called MUMSnet on this thread though! That’s the way these threads usually go. I like to call it breeder bingo

[Zombiemum1946]

Your life, your choice. Simple.

[sammylady37]

be told^ you don’t know...

[togglethis]

Not unusual, but why you’d ask the question on a parenting site is a bit odd IMO.

Your choice, but in some cases people who don’t have children never really grow up IMO. You will no doubt violently disagree with me.

[june2007]

Not unusual at all. I know two sets of sisters my age, who don,t have any children between them. I do kind of feal sorry for the grandparents. I Sometimes it,s choice, but best not to pry because sometimes it,s not.

[Heroicasymphony]

'breeder'

Of course you're not unreasonable to exercise personal choice over your own reproductive system and family life OP.

[sammylady37]

Not unusual, but why you’d ask the question on a parenting site is a bit odd IMO

Didn’t take long!

[EmpressLangClegInChair]

Not at all, I’m in my mid-40s and happy every day that I stuck with my instincts & stayed childfree.

[Heroicasymphony]

Oh and not unusual at all either. 20% of women under age 45 don't have children, more so within your own age group and the birth rate has never been lower. If you really want to be an outlier, you should be having four or more.

[Sparklesocks]

It’s not unusual, lots of people choose to be child free. And you don’t have to justify your choices to anyone.

[Cam2020]

Better to know that you want to be child free now, rather than after having children! I think it will become less uncommon the more women get out of the ticklist mindset of: find a man, get married, have children that's been ingrained in us for generations. If you want those things, or any combination of those things, great, but it's not the be-all and end-all for everyone. Life would be boring if we all had the same aspirations and passions.

[Heroicasymphony]

Sorry - that should say 20% of 45 yo women ie women at the end of reproductive age.

[Sparklesocks]

Your choice, but in some cases people who don’t have children never really grow up IMO. You will no doubt violently disagree with me.

I don’t think this is unique to child free people. I know some parents who act like absolute children in all honesty.

[Froq]

There’s a family on my street that have basically screeched and cried all day everyday during lockdown. Our next door neighbours commented that it has officially put them off having kids

YANBU

[heartsonacake]

Yes, it is unusual. Most people want children.

But it doesn’t matter what most people want, it matters what you want.