I grew out of playing Mommy pretty early, I suppose. The first time I really recall thinking that kids were definitely not for me, though, was in a 7th grade biology class. Our teacher made us watch a Nova special on the "miracle" of childbirth and I just remember sitting there in horror as this woman pushed forth this giant baby from her vagina. I made a vow that I would never ever ever ever do that to myself. Couple that with my shit childhood and it's no wonder I'm happily childfree.
When people used to tell me "you will change your mind when you are older" I desperately WANTED to believe them. The thought of having children has repulsed me ever since I was a child myself, but like many, I too thought that children were an inevitable fact of life; that was just what people do and nobody had told me otherwise.
My partner's sister recently had a child. She is of the the friendliest and most loving people I have ever met, and having a child tested her. It made me more comfortable with the fact that I will not have children, and my boyfriend finally understood. I don't have to make excuses any more, now that I have evidence to back up my preference not to have kids.
I was always the same with marriage, too. I didn't care about marriage, but it was framed as inevitable. My mother still laughs at my wedding plans as a child: "little wedding, big cake". Now I can just have the cake.
[–] Thapphireth ago
I couldn't pinpoint the time when I started thinking about my stance on having children (maybe 16?), but I'd say I've known all my life (or my adult life, like you). I don't remember a time where I thought that I wanted to have kids.
Sure, I do know the occasionally blip of biological urges acting up, but it's incredibly easy to have my rational mind win this internal 5-second debate.
[–] Kintobor22 ago
I preferred to be tucked away, reading books instead of interacting with other kids as a kid. The whole 'playing house' thing didn't really interest me.So I've basically been childfree my entire life.