To think your life and achievements are treated as 'lesser than' when you don't have kids?

[josil]

It's true - can we accept and acknowledge these disgusting subliminal societal messages that MOST of us put out there.

Something very important to me is going on right now - one of the most important things my life for a while, but noone seems interested.

Unless it's a child's birthday or the birth of a child it appears...no one cares once you get to a certain age. Is this it forever? Unless my life is about a child noone will care?

I've had ENOUGH of feeling lesser than, because I decided not to procreate (or can't)

People need to really be much kinder and more sensitive to people that don't have kids whether it's choice or circumstance.

Parents, please stop being dicks to non parents and treating them like they're not as important as you. It sucks.

[DashboardConfessional]

@LobeliaBaggins

Get childfree friends or ones with older children. Your only option really.

I am in my 50s and at the other end of the scale. Most people, both childfree and parents, cancel on me frequently because they are taking care of their elderly parents or inlaws who are often unpredictably ill. I don't throw my toys out of the pram though. I recognise that family comes first for most people.

This is an excellent point. If someone cancels due to caring for their elderly relative it's not generally the done thing to whine "But you've got a sister! Why can't she do it?" in the same way as people do about the other parent of a child.

[Stompythedinosaur]

As people get older they change, and their priorities change. It is very petulant to complain a parent isn't prioritising you over their dc. Would you struggle as much if a friend was prioritising a demanding but fulfilling job over seeing you? Are other adults not allowed to make choices that don't centre your wellbeing, or is it just children who you don't see as worth prioritising?

If you were saying "I feel sad that no one prioritises me" then I could understand. I think life as a single woman can be very difficult. But that is different to being angry that friends made choices that weren't what you wanted.

[doyouwantachuffedybadge]

@josil

Can I also pop by out the child is 5, not a baby so I find it ridiculous this is an excuse

Eh? The child is five and you think they dont need a bedtime? Kids have all different routines and also affect the parents' routine - inviting someone without a kid is very very different to inviting those or one with. This thread is very upsetting and odd, frankly.