childless by choice
The mandate that you must have children to be a "real woman" is completely false, but you are real. How could anyone ever tell you otherwise?
Children can't be let out in the yard to play until you get up at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday because you were out late the night before. Dogs can. Cats don't even need to be let out, you can ignore them.
Why does non-parenthood continue to be pitted against parenthood? It's like continuing to ask: "Are children the key to happiness in life?" and continuing to try and prove the answer is yes. Yet the real answer is already known.
Can we all move on from this topic and come together on the issues that truly matter and impact all of our lives; the Middle East conflict, world hunger and George Clooney's wedding? Thank you
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Whose business is it, anyway? Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I want to experience child birth. Just because I am the youngest of eleven doesn't mean I want a bunch of kids. I love inspiring and teaching children. I don't want any of my own. And, I'm not alone.
Why is the word 'childless' unacceptable? It screeches of loss or tragedy, even sterility. At best it's offensive to those who have chosen not to have children, and at worst it's grotesquely insensitive to those permitted no choice.
After divorcing in my late twenties, I was glad I didn't have children. For a time I believed I didn't want kids at all. But in my mid-thirties when my younger sister got pregnant, I absolutely struggled with the choice.
Babies are born from the womb. Maternity is born from the soul. There are many ways to "mother" a child. Aunthood is as close as it gets.
I know I will never walk into Target as a mom. And while I have not one iota of regret or envy, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty of what I don't want -- or extend my admiration for those who chose paths that I'll never walk down.
What if our lives get boring without kids? What if we have no one to hang out with once everyone we love has little ones, then bigger ones, to look after? What if one day I'm in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery and I don't have anyone to make sure the nurses are taking good care of me?