Why We Don't Want Kids

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114 Comments

  1. Hi. I am also a Vegan and feel the same way.

  2. This article made me cry. I am also 30 and in a long term relationship with someone who does want kids. We are working hard on understanding each other and we seem to be on the same page but I would feel terrible if that day never comes and I can’t do that for him. Now his family is involved and I feel even worse. I thought my mind would change as I get older but my feelings on childlessness just get stronger. Among all the reasons you listed I also have a bit of a strained relationship with my parents and I just don’t want to add on to that. I also have to worry about financially retiring my parents and aunt and I just don’t see how a child would fit into that. Thank you for sharing your story

  3. Thank you for sharing your perspective on not having children. It’s important to respect individual choices, and your candid discussion about the environmental impact, lifestyle considerations, and personal values is thought-provoking. Your honesty is appreciated, and I hope your story resonates with others.

  4. Katherine says:

    Dear Masa: What a courageous, thoughtful, intelligent, generous and respectful sharing of your thoughts and ethics regarding children.

    I am a 70-year-old American woman with a 42-year-old daughter. I am very concerned about current world conditions, and in despair about the future of this planet.

    When I see people with infants and young children, it truly saddens me to think of the world and future they must face.

    I don’t have many years left on earth, so my concerns are for the earth, the wildlife, and the people I leave behind who will have to face more enormous challenges than I ever did. I would never never bring a child deliberately into this current world.

    As a minimalist and believer in the body’s innate healing powers, I share many of your values in other realms as well. We are truly kindred spirts, though generations and countries apart.

    I wish you and your partner well on your journeys.
    hugs
    katherine

  5. This is an important topic that a lot of people think about and have anxious or guilty feelings about, so it’s good you provided such insight into the topic. Having kids is such a personal choice that no one should be made to feel pressured or uneasy about their decision to have or not have kids. It’s good to see writing that supports this in such an open and inclusive way.

  6. My husband and I have been happily married for 20 years. We never wanted to become parents and this position becomes only stronger. Looking at our friends with children, I would never agree to live as they do. Too stressful for me. Children are not for everyone, that’s true.

  7. What an amazing post! Thank you for this as I couldn’t have put it better myself. The world needs more people like this who actually have a brain.

  8. Hello,
    Thank you for the post. It reinforced the idea of accepting people life decisions , be respectful and not judgemental whether you choose to have children or not. I have 3 kids and have been been getting unwanted opinions from extended family about a 4th child. It’s my and my husband’s decision. We’re happy with our kids, we’re able to provide for them, spend time with them and we don’t have family near us to help or babysit.
    I can relate about people looking at you like you’re “abnormal” because i feel the same about fur “babies”, don’t want them, never wanted them and I don’t think I ever will.
    I think as human beings once we learn to dissociate our self worth from what we have or don’t have or what we CHOOSE to have or don’t have and just accept, and value people for just who they are and respect their decisions the world would be a better place.

  9. Can you make a YouTube Channel? I would love to see your content!

    1. Hi, I just found your post and it really resonates with me. I’m currently very happy with my life, I came out of a long (not always great) relationship this year and I’m doing all the things I wasn’t able to to be before, for various reasons, health being one of them. I’ve done therapy and I’m in a much better mental state now, I have friends and an adventurous lifestyle, I study a master which I enjoy despite the challenges. I’m 30, and I’m definitely getting questions (sometimes assumptions) that I’m excited about getting kids soon. But im really not. I love my nieces and friends kids, but like you said: it is exhausting. I’m tried enough as it is with anxiety and adhd, then bringing the added insane responsibility of fostering children in this mad world.. I’m not up for it. And that’s not to say I’m not over the moon when my friends tell me their happy news that they’re expecting, of course I’m so happy for them! But it doesn’t make me want the same. Rather i get confused looks when I say I’m so happy with my life the way it is. I feel free, like I can breathe. It’s a lovely feeling, being healthy and able to travel (to an extent, hello pandemic). I definitely don’t take my health and life for granted. Thanks for a great post, good to know we’re not alone with similar thoughts!

      1. Hi Becka, sorry, we’re just catching up on comments. We’re nodding our heads, reading your experiences. Couldn’t agree more—and yes, we’re not alone.
        It’s awesome how you’ve come out of your ended relationship. You sound fulfilled. Thanks for sharing with us.

  10. I believe that not having children is a huge compliment to the not grandparents. Some people have kids as a chance to d”do over” a bad childhood of their own. Havinga kid who says no to making more kids means you did a great job the first time and also raised a person with the guts to go a different way from the prevailing expectations.

  11. Hi,
    I do not have Kids and am loving it! My husband and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary soon. Both of us are the last of our families. We both grew up with siblings but lost them. We used to ask each other every year if we want Kids and each time we looked at each other and said: “Naw!!” LOL I have never regretted not having kids. Life is soooo much easier! We saw all the problems (and costs…yes costs!) the children of our friends caused. We heard ALL THE TIME how much better off we are from our friends. Kids do not visit and take care of their parents as it was in old times..so no!…we are not missing ANYTHING! If I would be 25 again and have to make this choice again..I would without blinking!

  12. Joy Marie Harvick says:

    I’m surprised anyone would ever even think it could be selfish to not have children? To me it’s selfish to have children without the ability to know if those future children would want to exist! You can do everything possible to provide them with everything a child could ever want and they could still end up suffering unspeakable trauma like cancer, an accident, molestation, etc. I know someone who struggled with all sorts of treatments to have a child and when they finally did their child had an incurable disease and their spouse left them. Obviously extreme cases like this are rare but they are a possibility when you have a child and you have to realize that. I’ve never wanted kids, not even once, so it’s hard for me to understand anyone who does. Also, I don’t eat animals and I literally couldn’t handle the idea of bringing someone into the world who might. I prefer to spend my time and energy taking care of the abandoned and neglected pets of the world. I want to eliminate suffering of all kinds, not create more.

  13. Hi there,

    I know this article was written a few years ago, but I just stumble upon it today. It’s a well written and beautiful article.

    I appreciate that even though you have decided not to have children, you talk lovingly and kindly about others who do have them. I love children, I have 2 lovely girls and I always knew growing up I wanted to be a mom. However, I found that being a mom and having children in today’s world isn’t a good decision and is that we don’t care for the planet.

    We are not vegan but we try in every way to be sustainable, from food we eat, to only giving our children wooden toys, biodegradable diapers and wipes, reusing clothing and if we have to use plastics we will finds ways to keep using them and not trying them away.

    My first daughter is attending Montessori early learning and doesn’t own a tab or a phone, never asks for toys and we spent atleast 3 days a week in nature – park, beach, lake or somewhere outdoor or just driving through the country.

    I am a stay home mum and my husband only works weekends so we do spent a lot time raising our kids together. We both knew and wanted kids and are loving being parents and trying our best to help heal the planet for our children to enjoy in the future.

    But both my husband and I grew up with parents who probably shouldn’t have kids and had been abuse as children and both our parents have said that if they could back in time they wished they wouldn’t have kids.

    So I respect and actually appreciate people and couples who do know and are happy to not have children because I grew up feeling like a burden to my parents and have traumatic experiences that have scared me.

    To read these comments about how you have help them feel good about their decision makes me happy. Thank you.

    I love being a mom, and I am happy to do all the messy and hard part about being a parent. But I don’t like seeing and hearing parents who don’t enjoy it and regret their decisions because the children will be in pain and hurt for the rest of their life.

    Thank you for your lovely article.

  14. Hi, Maša! Just wanted to say that I find your website very enjoyable. The articles are interesting and well thought out, and your writing style very approachable and intelligent. I only discovered your site today, and have been devouring the articles one after the other. I was also curious about your name, cause I had one Maša in my elementary school, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out you’re from Slovenia. Lijepi pozdrav iz Hrvatske! 🙂

    1. Hi Karolina! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. So happy to hear that you’re enjoying the content. Yes, it’s not a name you hear often here in Australia. So it’s mispronounced a lot! haha My mum is Croatian, so I have roots there too 🙂

  15. Oh wow, it just felt like reading my own mind out loud! All the points are just exact to my and my husband’s (who happens to be Michael too) reasons on not having children! So glad we’re not the only ones as it sometimes feels like with everyone around us having babies and constantly questioning if it’s our turn next. The pressure from the people around us and society in general can be exhausting sometimes. Thank you for this article, Maša!

    1. Aw, we’re stoked that this post resonated with you! It appears that the decision to go child-free is becoming a little more common. It will be interesting to see how this all progresses!

  16. Hi Masa,
    Thank you for this article, it perfectly encapsulates all the reasons my husband and I have decided not to have children. It’s so refreshing to hear this perspective, and quite a special feeling finding your own thoughts perfectly captured on paper!
    I find it interesting that when someone says that they don’t want children, people often respond with patronising doubt (“you’re too young to make that decision!” or “wait until your biological clock starts ticking!”), yet if someone says that that DO want children, no one blinks an eye.
    In my opinion, having a child is the biggest, most life altering decisions a person can make. It’s definitely not a decision to take lightly, and shouldn’t necessarily be the default.
    Thanks again for sharing your perspective!

    1. Hi Rach,
      I’m glad to hear that it resonated with you. It’s a great feeling to know you’re not alone in thinking this way, right?! I completely agree, having a child is a MASSIVE responsibility and life-altering decision. We should approach it with so much more care and thought than we do as a human race. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

  17. Thanks for your honest post. In some ways it’s weird that a childless person would even think about explaining why they decided to not have children – but, that’s our society still – in spite of the statistics you quoted, i still find that many women are lost for words that I don’t have children…. and if I’m ever brave enough to say that it was a deliberate decision, well…! My decision was made in 1979 before I got married, and even though I love interacting with kids, I’ve had no regrets. (I make a really good cat mum, though!) Good on you, Maša and Michael.

  18. Ricelle Rili says:

    Hi! I’m from the Philippines and Asian Culture is dramatic here. It’s like everyone needs to keep their bloodline and last names. But for what? We are waay past ancient times and there is no need to prove anyone something. And sustaining the bloodline and last name does not prove anything at all. It’s so freaking hard here because families are so traditional and religious, it seems like i am a sinner for not wanting kids. I was married 2017 and mind you that I wanted a kid since I could think. I love children and they make me really happy. After married we have been trying to procreate but just this June 2019, after participating in a Vegan Campaign here in the Philippines, I felt a calling (somewhat a divine intervention) and I knew right there that my life’s purpose was to fight for the animals and restore earth. Sounds dramatic I know hahahahaha but also right there, I knew I didn’t want kids. I felt it. It gave me goosebumps. But it has been a problem since I really look like the bad guy here. That’s why I wanna thank you for your post. I am in so much pain for almost 2mos now and your post helped me a lot. I am not the only one. THANK YOU!

    1. Wow, Richelle! No, thank you. Your “realisation” is inspiring. It’s so hard to fight against so many competing external influences and still choose to follow your intuition, especially for such a noble cause. Thank you for being courageous and for sharing your experience with us. And yes, as evidenced by all of the comments on this post, you are not alone. Much love. M & M

  19. And forgive me for my first comment. I meant to say… It sounds like you do not want to have children so I say go for it … is what I meant to say.

    1. Hi Su! Sorry, I’m just catching up on comments. Yes, for sure, I feel there’s a natural desire to want to have children. But conversations like the ones we’re having now can break the mould and perhaps make us feel a little “normal” by not having kids. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us.

  20. Oh one more thing. I totally agree on the social media experience for a child, it makes it so complicated…intimidating.
    Sorry, I’m not sure what vegan minimalist is, so forgive me if I’m out of context. ❤️?

  21. I just say that because you remind me of me. I am 45 years old and do not have any children. I think it’s by choice. However, there is always that voice calling us … what would it be like … it’s a biological calling I do believe. But yes I too feel good about not having children or a child and at the same time I feel a certain missing piece. I think it’s just being a woman and naturally being drawn toward it, ya know like the waves of the ocean on a full moon.

  22. Sounds like you want to have kids! Go for it sister!!!

  23. Hi, i know this post has been open a while but I only came across your website today (made the decision recently to go Vegan Minimalist). Just want to say thanks for posting this about kids. I’ve just turned 36 and I have this debate with myself every day, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. My husband of 14 years is so supportive of my choice not to have children but I still cant remove my feelings of guilt as I know that he would make a great father. I think deep down I’ve always known that I don’t want children and you have listed pretty much all the reasons why I don’t want them. I know that I would make a great mother if I had them but at the same time I know that there would be times when I would absolutely resent them and it crushes me to even think that. With so much social media influences in the world today I know i would be so disappointed if they went against the way I brought them up and that they could not live without their “material possessions” and that makes me really sad. Over the last few years I have made some radical lifestyle changes myself and I am still going through this journey so who knows, maybe in the future my maternal feelings will “switch on” and I can be accepting of whoever my children will turn out to be. For now though I am enjoying experiencing this transition and want to thankyou for this fabulous, thought provoking website.
    Best wishes & thanks for listening to me.
    Nicola
    x

    1. Hi Nicola, it sounds like we have a lot in common! It’s an internal battle, for sure. Especially when you’re trying to consider the needs of your partner. All we can do is continue to follow our intuition as much as possible without external influences. That’s the hard thing. But it sounds like you are well aware of the impact of your decisions and how your values play a role in the way you live. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and hope you and your husband find peace and gratitude with whatever decisions you make.

    2. It is so true that children can be influenced by people other than their families. In fact many people including myself have been influenced to love nature and think differently by caring substitute grandparents, babysitters, counselors,substitute aunties and others. One amazing older couple my mom knew took my sis and me on a overnight camping and hiking trip. Because they were so kind and loving to us a lot of their values rubbed off on us. I calleveryone else who cares about a cause to pass it on in a similar way. You never know what you may set in motion .

  24. Hi. I know the original post dates from last year but I like your honesty and the reasons listed for not wanting children. I can understand and feel and lot like that… even though I am not a vegan or a minimalist (that’s a bit too much to give up for me but I admire this sacrifice and I do worry too about the future of the planet…).
    When younger I thought I’d have children but life is unpredictable and changes you. For example now I couldn’t count on family to help with childcare and I don’t have a permanent stable job anymore, plus I haven’t made it a priority to save money for future children – I have enjoyed spending for myself and enjoyed my holidays with my husband the past 10 years and it’s only now that I’m 40 (!!!) that I’ve been questioning myself more – what if i regret not having children in 10-20 years? Who will care for me if I reach old age, if I’m sick, alone…?
    I dont know if it’s hormones or women instincts but I still doubt whether not having children is the right decision and at 40 I should really know by now! My husband is my age & not bothered and would have a child if I really wanted it but he’s now more likely to be happy to remain childfree as he mentions having time for himself or enjoying adult holidays doing what we like, focusing on us… sometimes I feel I’m too much of a child in my head and I know having a child would change me but it’s also scary: what if i become depressed, sleep deprived, no time for myself, trying to juggle work, cooking, finances, shopping, parenting etc… ?
    To be honest I know if we had a kid I would end up doing most in the house just as I’m doing now so the stress would be worse for me.. Yet part of me still wonders – what would it be like if ….?
    In addition my mum has been bothering me for years about not having grandkids as it’s just me and my younger brother (and at 36 he has no kids and is not ready yet)!
    I feel I should be content with what I have in life, a husband, a home, a cat… I also enjoy my sleep and my own time.
    As a supply teacher I see lots of kids every day and come home tired or sometimes annoyed at their behaviour…so what if I came home to my own kid’s tantrum, homework to check, etc?
    I have very mixed feelings – I’m not desperate to be around kids but I don’t hate them either! In my job I’m fine to be around teenagers / children and some are great, others are little horrors but outside work I don’t go out of my way to see friends’-children or my niece / nephew. Maybe I know it’s not a priority but making that final decision is the hardest…?! I wish I was like some women who just know and don’t look back…!

    1. Hi, glad you can relate!
      It’s tricky when there are so many moving parts in life to be able to create that stable environment for children. Glad that you’ve been enjoying spending some quality time with your husband and exploring the world. I think that we all should do this at some point in our lives. I feel like you’ve picked the perfect time to do it.
      It’s confronting when you start asking these questions. It’s hard to base your life around something that may happen in the future. The regret will probably happen either way by the sounds of it. I think you need to do what feels right for you and start to accept that decision lovingly. It’s tricky, I know.
      It’s nice to see that you’ve got a supportive husband regardless of the outcome, you’re fortunate. I know exactly that feeling, I’ve had all those questions run through my mind so many times, and I guess those are some of the reasons why I, in the end, decided not to have them.
      Be gentle with yourself. You’ve got plenty of options so spend time with children if you want, which is excellent. What I love the most about that is that you can hang out with them and then hand them back to the parents.
      I don’t have an answer for you, but you sound a lot like me. I am, however, nine years younger and don’t think that with age, it will change that much. 40 is still super young! 😉

  25. Hi all,
    My personal aspect about why I don’t want kids mainly is that I have delayed my professional development and after I moved to the US. Moving here from Europe and waiting for years till get the right job opportunity was not easy and literally I feel that I start from scratch. I didn’t had a correct professional orientation in my home country and all this situation delayed me. Now at 36 I feel like I am 10 years back in work and if I choose to give birth that would mean that I should throw away everything years of studies and do at the best case scenario a simple job.
    Giving birth is a fact that scares me as well. Also, I don’t feel I have the energy as a person to grow up a baby and bad experiences I had as a kid and inherited as an adult from my family make me believe that I would not be the right role model.
    Maybe if I was in my home country would have a different opinion…

    1. Hi Vivian,
      Sorry I’ve taken so long to reply to your comment!
      It’s so difficult as a woman, especially when you move around and don’t have much stability.
      It sounds like many factors are contributing to you feeling like you may not have children. I believe that everything happens for a reason. You have a gift to offer to the world, that could be your calling! Best of luck with your decision!

  26. Dear Masa
    I must say I almost cried reading this post. I’m only 24, fiancee is 28 and we already know that kids are not for us, almost for every reason you just posted here. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. It’s so great to know that there are indeed people who are “just as abnormal” as we are. Cause that is mostly how we feel. Weird, not normal, selfish, as people have already pointed out to us, many times. It’s always such a struggle to explain (even if we should not even have to do that) and discuss why we really don’t want to be parents. I makes me feel so sad sometimes, always having to explain the same things. People saying I’m too young, my clock will be ticking some day or just the question, “but why??!. It’s really frustrating me. Lots of my fiancee’s family members have been struggling with having children and his brother and nephew even lost children in the process. And we always feel so guilty whilst explaining why we don’t want children. Because of so many rightful ( and environmental) reasons, my health, my persona and my personal history, I know in my heart I don’t want to be a mother, not ever, but right now, we feel so sad because it looks like this is not what is expected of us and we’re judged for it. Any tips on how to deal with this?

    Thank you so much!

    1. Hi Sophie,
      You’ve left me speechless. Thank you so much for your amazing message.
      I can see how this would be a difficult topic to talk about with others, especially when you feel like you need to justify YOUR choices to them. In my opinion, at the end of the day, this is your lives and your decision. Period. No one else will have to be with those kids 24/7 for at least the first two decades of their lives, no one else will lose as much sleep over them as you would, no one else would have to pay for them.
      So, in saying all that, I would just position it that it’s just not something that you want for now. I personally never say never, because that gives people the opportunity to hope that you may someday change your mind – even though you know you won’t. Does that make sense? It’s not to say give them false hope, it just helps to avoid uncomfortable and confronting conversations with others now. In the future, you could have other reasons that would become more evident then (eg for environmental reasons or age).
      I personally haven’t had issues with it because I have a platform like this blog to talk about these things and for people to get the opportunity to really understand and put themselves (if they can) in your shoes. You can, of course, share these types of posts, podcasts (we did one a while back on this topic) and maybe even videos that others have put together to help explain it to loved ones so it doesn’t seem so personal when it comes from you? Can just be a nice, gentle message to say this is how you feel.
      I hope that those suggestions help. I wish you the best of luck. It’s not easy when you’re different and like to think for yourself about what you want out of life.
      Take care,
      Maša x

    2. Compromise may allow short term to smooth sail and pull along but the spirit and life dies and its the worst crime to humanity to create a life that would be born in and of the spirit of helplessness fear darkness misery death .
      Only the wearer can know where the shoe is biting and dancing with that kind of a shoe on your feet when its possible (not easy) for you
      to decide not to so dance , would be a dishonour and disservice to you and your parents ..

      Kudos and applaud you all brave hearts …

  27. Thanks so much for posting your article, and thanks to everyone for posting their supportive replies; it has really helped me and I hope by posting I can help others too.

    One other topic I thought might be relevant, is that i understand that other in other species not all females always all reproduce – for instance wild dogs, I think I learnt that in their packs only one female reproduces and the other females support her. It seems sensible – just like not all of us will extract materials for and build our own computer or mobile, oven, fridge, house, car, plane, or attain and prepare all of our own food…or even make all the music we listen to…sometimes it’s good work together as more of a sustainable tribe than individual units all trying to be sustainable in themselves.
    Thank you also for being honest,; I feel like too much of the time media portrays people as managing to do hundreds of impressive-soundibg things and I get nervous that I’m inadequate – I’ve also struggled with chronic fatigue for years. Thank you for being brave and honest – honesty can seem so humble, but it can be so impressive and help us all to be stronger and move in a better direction together.
    Love to you all! <3

    1. You’re very welcome Mari! It’s so nice to see like-minded people out there. I was a bit nervous posting about this topic but has honestly been one of the best posts I’ve written considering the amount of relatability it has had with so many other people – not just women! In my opinion, if we don’t have honesty, we don’t have anything.

      That’s a really interesting observation, thanks so much for sharing about the wild dogs and how it’s important to work together. Maša 🙂

  28. Hi Masa, just wanted to thank you for this text. It’s very hard sometimes to be one of the very few who have decided not to make kids. Finding your text after I found out what a good friend of mine actually thinks about me being child-free by choice was a drop of confidence and boost for self understanding I really needed. My husband and I are very content about our decision of not to have kids, and I love that we have found each other and support each other, but it’s the rest of the world’s negativity and pressure that sometimes get to me… I love working with kids, value families and my own family highly, and that’s so hard for others to understand…

    1. I’m sorry to hear that you have pressure and negativity towards you about making a decision about YOUR OWN life. Sad isn’t it, that you can’t make your own decisions about how you want to live your life and for people to respect and understand that.

      I’m glad that this post has brought you comfort. We’re actually going to be talking about this very topic in our podcast episode next Monday so stay tuned!! Thanks for sharing.

  29. Stephanie says:

    Well hello there 🙂
    Love reading your post & thanks for being so honest & share your true thoughts 🙂 We share more or less the same ideas & philosophy with you guys so i get you xx

    I believe that this planet needs more people like you having children, since the society is in need of real, compassionate, loving, vegan beings who share their true mindset with the people around them. This is one of the reasons we are raising our daughter in exactly the way you are mentioning above, being vegan and all, loving mother Earth & all living beings, being true to herself & standing up for her rights. More people like this will suddenly help this planet to finally & hopefully transform into a beautiful place where love & caring for one another will rule & we really need this 🙂

    In what way can we be sure that this change will happen other than bringing up children who will make it true 😉
    Lots of love from us xxx

    1. Hi Stephanie,
      I completely understand what you mean and why you would suggest that we have children. I agree with you there. However, at this stage in our lives, it doesn’t feel right. Who knows, maybe in a few years time things might be different.
      Good on you for raising your daughter that way and thank you for what you’re doing 🙂

  30. Thank you for writing this blog. I feel (and have felt) the exact same way about children. My husband and I don’t want children either. We have some reasons that are the same and some that are different, but we end in the same place. We want to continue to enjoy our child-free lives together. Our fur-babies fulfill all of our “parenting” needs!

  31. Your post has effectively summed up all of the reasons I was struggling to share with my family.

    Thank you so much

  32. Angel S Grantham says:

    It’s so nice reading someone else’s opionons that so closely match mine and my husbands.
    I am with you ?

  33. It’s so awesome to see an article that mirrors a lot of aspects of how I feel.

    When I was younger I always saw my future with kids – no questions asked. My kids would go on and grow up and do wonderful things to benefit the world. But then people around me started having kids, and they were insufferable about it. My ability to be an empathetic person (which i am) was questioned because I wasn’t a mother, so I wouldn’t understand a certain situation.

    Because of this my husband and I questioned having children, and then more things played into it. Eventually we got divorced and here I am at 28 years old, single for the first time in nine years with my apparent egg-rearing days in fast decline. I had lost over 20kgs of weight, was finally getting happy with body, and I made the selfish decision that I didn’t want kids in my future.

    I don’t want to live for my kids alone. My kids don’t have to be what benefits the world – I could benefit the world. I didn’t want to gain weight again, I don’t want to give up alcohol and my money and my nice things and my lifestyle. I don’t want to breastfeed – the idea of my breasts being anything other than sexual is not a concept for me.

    But I fully am happy to change my mind about this. If I meet another person that I love, which at the moment seems doubtful, I will be more than happy to introduce children into our lives – but not through me. I see so much more benefit in adopting. This world is overpopulated and it is selfish of me to want to bring another person into our already heaving world just to pass on my DNA. I would rather give a home and love to a child who has none, who was born in difficult circumstances.

    I dont know if kids are in my future – they probably aren’t. But there will be many many many dogs. And honestly, that’s kind of better.

    1. Thanks for sharing so openly and honestly. You’re the only one that will know if and when you want to have kids. Don’t be so doubtful of meeting someone else, it can happen when you least expect it to!

  34. It`s sounds 100% like what I think about this topic. If people ask me, if I don`t want kids, I always reply: The last thing this world needs are more humans.
    I have four dogs and the only time I thougth about having a baby, was when my ex told me, I can`t have another dog until we are retired (I was 30 yo at this time)
    I am so thankful we quit our 12 year relationship before I got pregnant 😉

  35. This is so great! To hear other woman and their opinions, to know you are not alone.
    I’m 30 years old and happily married for 6 years, no kids! But i am a “mother” of 3 cute dogs, they are my sweethearts… not only mine but my husband’s too. We are a happy family and we don’t have any plans for having children. Before getting married I thought I wanted to procrate, but as the years went by and we started to stablish ourselves strong as a couple we felt no need to have babies. There is too much pressure from friends and family, they look at me in a weird way and keep asking if we are struggling with infertility problems! I mean… How ridiculous is that?? And when i say “NO! I CHOOSE not to get pregnant, that’s not such a hard thing to do these days”… They stare at me like i am crazy or something. And since we are all being honest here, can i just say i don’t find having myself a bump that wonderfull. It scares me a lot to think about my skin getting streached and organs being squished…. And i don’t even have to mention being in labor,,,
    I have friends that had children but didn’t like being pregnant… I’ve seen that it’s ok not to like the whole process. And they are amazing mothers!
    Of course children are a blessing and it’s amusing to watch them learn and grow. I love children!! But what about all the worrying that comes when having your own? My mom says she never slept the same way after I was born, i mean never! Besides the world is out of control, just thinking about the dangers my child would have to face is enought for me.

    1. I can totally relate Natalia. I think that women making the choice not to have kids is still deemed as a little out of the ordinary. And with the increase of infertility and other issues, most people default to that reason as to why someone would choose not to have kids. I’m hopeful as time goes on, that as a society we become more accepting. Which is sad, but it’s true.

      From my experience, I have ever only known one, maybe two women that have enjoyed the process of being pregnant, giving birth and those first few years. It’s tough and we shouldn’t feel like we’re crazy for choosing otherwise. And the worry you mention, it’s real. I worry enough about my fur baby as it is! haha I’m sure you do too.

      Thanks for sharing.

  36. Thank you for sharing this as sometimes it feels very unusual in my everyday life to not want kids. I never really wanted kids, babies scare me and I never learned how to care for them. And the idea of childbirth? No. Thank. You. I was also an au pair and found it quite difficult spending that much time with a young child.

    So there was never a strong pull to have kids, but I always thought that if I did I’d rather adopt. I also don’t think we need more people on the planet and actually find the state of the world rather terrifying these days. I’m more pessimistic than optimistic about the future and I can’t imagine leaving a child to deal with that.

    I’ve also never understood the “not having children is selfish” idea. I think the actual selfish thing is to have kids if you don’t completely, totally want them and are able to care for them and their well-being for the rest of your life. Lots of people meet both those requirements, but if you don’t it’s not selfish to recognize and honor that.

    1. Thanks for sharing Candi. Sometimes our own experiences tell us what we don’t want, and it sounds like that’s what being an au pair did for you. I agree with you 100%.

  37. This is such an amazing post, my fiancé and I feel exactly the same. We have noticed people don’t really accept our decision when we tell them, often they say things such as “ohhh you will!” Especially family.

    Hopefully they will start believing us after the vasectomy…

  38. Hello.
    I really liked the way you talked about not having kids!
    I think and feel the same way but I avoid talking about it openly to a lot people because many don’t get the reasons that having a child in the present world scenario would be more selfish than not having one. Having and raising a child just because this is what is expected from adult life is just not right.

    1. I hear you Lays! This is one of the reasons I wanted to write about it, to be able to talk about it. I haven’t fully expressed how I feel to anyone else (besides Michael) until I wrote this post.

  39. Well, if you ever do decide to have children in the future, or adopt, just know that we have 3 children, are fully self-employed freelancers, we are vegan, and we aim to never live outside of our means. Our children have what they need at all times… food, shelter, clothing, love and community. Our daughters are not vaccinated since vaccines are not vegan and we do not feel comfortable with their side effects. Our daughter happily eats her vegan lunch every day at school. We plan to homeschool after elementary school or sooner. We did Waldorf homeschooling for PreK and kindergarten. She has many friends and everyone thinks it’s pretty cool when we attend class parties with vegan ice cream to share. I’m not trying to convince you to change your mind. But just know, that if there is a pulling at your heart to have a child, you can totally do the whole parenting thing vegan style and will find a huge community of parents doing the same thing!! … some parents will start looking up to you as a mentor too just because you would be parenting boldly against the status quo. Thanks for sharing your heart in this blog post. I can tell you really put a lot into it. 🙂 Peace and Love to you!!

    1. Hi Jessica, thanks so much for sharing and for your reassuring words. If we ever change our mind, you have given me a bit of hope. Where are you located? I think it also depends where you live to how much support you would receive from the community. Nice to hear you’re living the dream! 🙂 x

  40. I’m a mother of two adult daughters, the older a vegetarian since toddlerhood. They were raised more simply, with less stuff, than their peers. I don’t know if I would be vegan today if my daughters weren’t born. Children often help their parents make positive change. We are able to influence the future by how communicate with youth. I’ve read numerous blogs written by vegan singles and couples not wanting children for environmental reasons. If the majority of those having children are ignorant or apathetic about our planet’s health, maybe that one baby born to parents who care would make…all the difference in the world.

    1. Hi Rhea, I can completely agree with you on that. My concern is that our beautiful planet is in crisis and bringing children into this world now is very different to what it would have been only 10-15 years ago. What I mean by that is the facts about all the damage we as a human race have done to mother nature. For example, we now have only 1/3 of the bees that we had only 5 years ago. If bees die off, we only have 4 years on this planet without them. I would personally need a stronger reason to bring a child into such an uncertain world at this point in time.

  41. Wow, there have been a lot of comments on this post! Thank you for sharing. I, too, am a childfree Canberran. I made my decision in my mid-twenties and am now fifty. I haven’t regretted it for a moment. My reasons are similar to yours (and elaborated here http://karinscuisine.blogspot.com/2010/12/no-kids-and-no-regrets.html). If it’s any help, the older you get, the less people ask intrusive questions about when you’re going to procreate. Something to look forward to! Best wishes.

    1. P.S. it’s good to see that the comments here have been so nice and respectful. A few years ago I mentioned on a mainstream economics blog that I’d decided not to have kids, and received DEATH THREATS from random strangers on the internet. I don’t understand why such a personal decision makes some people (who’ve made different decisions) so angry. You’d think that by not having kids myself, I was freeing up space and resources for other people’s kids. They should be thanking us 😉

      1. Thanks for sharing Karin. It’s been really great to see so many beautiful, open-hearted comments on this post. I’m sorry you didn’t get the same response. I think it also depends on the circle of people you share this with. We’re just lucky to have such wonderful supportive and like-minded readers 🙂

  42. I subscribe to your emails for the (delicious) vegan recipes so I was quite surprised when this theme popped up in my inbox. Especially since it has been on my mind a lot this year. I am turning 32 this month, and so is my boyfriend. He wants kids and I have never wanted kids for the same reasons as you are mentioning. I feel it is kind of selfish in an overpopulated world, I know that life can be a struggle and I would feel guilty if my kid became depressed or had other physical or psychological struggles. Also I don’t want to experience pregnancy and motherhood. I have always loved travelling, taking care of animals and being in quiet environments. This year I have really needed to look into all my fears – physical and existential, about bringing a new human being into this world. Also I never really liked kids much, but since my friends started having them I can see that they can be charming when you know them. I still have not made up my mind and we have tried to break up a few times over this issue already but we love each other so it is hard. I think adoption would be a choice I could live with more easily.
    Thank you so much for sharing this 🙂 It is not an easy decision to make for many people and I applaud you both for not being shortsighted and making an educated and well thought out decision.
    All the best to you.

    1. Thank you so much for opening up about your feelings and struggles. It would be tricky when you want slightly different things in life. I think relationships are about compromise but that is a big thing to compromise on. It does sound like you are warming up to the idea 🙂 Best of luck with it and glad to see that it popped up in your inbox at the right time.

  43. miodrag zaric says:

    I love you Masa Ofei !

  44. Thank you for this post. I am almost 30 and have been married for 5 years now and could not see myself having kids either. My wife graduated with student loans which we have aggressively paid off and just finished. Also in the past 5 years I have worked for 7 companies in 3 industries. I was unexpectedly laid off and had to move across the US for a new job 2 years ago. I have had to move 5 times in the past 3 years. My father is disabled and I also had to move him across the country at the same time. Needless to say our lives have been very hectic and this is the new normal for our generation. As you can imagine, it has been stressful for both of us, and I can’t imagine having to do all of that with a child.

    Additionally, in the US, paid maternity leave is not a thing, so one of us would need to stay home and likely not be able to work. Childcare is too expensive (1500-2000 dollars per month, more than our rent and half of our income) and takes away time to spend with our child. We have no family around to care for our child either so it’s just the two of us. Even being minimalist and debt-free, (in the past 5 years we have gotten rid of about 75% of our stuff and counting. Moving frequently really makes you question the need for stuff.) to cut our income in half and have another person to feed is simply not possible. Still we have been pressured several times to have children by our family as well as others. Thank you for showing us we are not the only ones who feel the same way.

    1. Hi Dominic, thank you for sharing! That sounds next to impossible. I didn’t realise there is no maternity leave in the US. Child care is about the same here but sounds like we have much more support for new families and families with young kids. Yes, moving frequently does make you reassess everything you own. Sometimes it can be a blessing in disguise. Best of luck on your journey and I hope that your family and friends can understand your reasons in the near future!

  45. Good on you. I have two kids myself but my sister has never wanted kids and is often put through the wringer for it. It’s great that you’re sharing this for those who are in the same boat as you and maybe for people who disagree they can at least see your side and be respectful of your right to make that choice.

  46. Hi everyone.
    Not for tag me, just for telling something about me: I’m vegan transitioning to Whole Grain Plant Base Diet, minimalist, unschooler of myself and my 2 little girls, both under 5.
    Me and my husband always wanted to have children, lots of them. Then things happen, an horrour story with my first labour as you mentioned…but however We wanted more. So I did some therapies and have my second one at home. Completly drug free, and you know? Is one of the most empowering experiences in my whole life.
    I don’t think everyone has to have children. Actually is not an easy path, it “steal” you lots of time, money, resources, space, ecc… You obviously can be a minimalist family (like Leo Batauta family), is not easy, but You Can. No matter what. At the end, you can do anything tou whant.

    I agree that your children would be simply the ppl wich the world need and I also agree you can adopt. For me just doesn’t work. I never delegate something I can do for myself. Like taking care of my health, nutrition, my girls part of knowledge…so of course, how can I neither imagine delegating having a children (while I still can for myself)?

    And finally, just one thing people doesn’t tell to much about motherhood. If you let them, it would change your whole life. And I’m not talking about clutter, money expenses, no sleeping, ecc…all this finish as long as they grow, but your knowledge as a person, your growing would never end. They put you in situations that anyone else in the world could. They made you ask some questions, and in most cases, if you just flow, will sane lost of things that happened in your own childhood making you a better person, for yourself and for the others. This is kind of selfish argument 🙂

    However yes, children= money, but you can see this in terms of investment. Instead of seeing children like a bottomless pit, you can try to see them like a way of growing.
    Caring of others, specially children, could be exhausting, sometimes frustrating but, any time I imagine my world without them I always understand that I am who I am now, because of them. And every change I do in our live style is always thinking in them aswell. And in you, and your family, your country, our world. Because there will be children growing anywhere all the time, so I will put my black sheeps in the middle of the other, and they will as well show that life could be different, and the way we treat others really change everything…
    Well…arborescent thinking…
    In conclusion, life will put you exactly where you have to. And will give you exactly what you need at any moment. I’m not a kind of believer person, actually I’m neither a religious one, but, this is how it is. If you should have children you will, no matter what, and would be the biggest, frightening, exiting event in your life. If it never happen, no problem because your live would be simply perfect, enjoyable and fullness just the way it is now.

    My best wishes for you and your husband, actually your family.
    Hugs.

    1. Thank you Montse for your message. I can agree with you 100% that having kids would be a beautiful thing at times, life-changing and would definitely make you grow as a person. I personally believe that everything happens for a reason, so if I was to fall pregnant unexpectedly tomorrow, I would embrace it. Yes I would be a little sad as our plans would have to change, but that’s life. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

  47. Hi Masa,
    Baby talk – An impressive article, and comprehensive responses say it all.
    The population continues to run off a treadmill, and there will always be those that continue to breed.
    If a child is meant to come into this world, it will be no matter what, and visa versa.
    Isn’t it amazing that at this point in time people still pose questions on such a personal status.
    Not to be influenced in others opinions requires strength.
    In the case of adopting or fostering – There is always the do’s, and the don’t’s as both have equal tender. This is an opinion, and I wish you well because you are poroviding a good service with the work you do. Kind regards, Chris

  48. Thank you for sharing such a brilliant piece. I never wanted children until I met my now ex-husband. We had a daughter together and I have been truly blessed to guide this little soul through the world, mostly on my own. However, I’m not very maternal although I know I’m a great mama. I hated being pregnant. The thought of breastfeeding made me feel physically ill. And I knew as soon as I fell pregnant that I would never have another child. I had a tubal ligation to ensure no further children would be a possibility. My daughter is now 10 and she is a magnificent being. I admit that I do think about how much more freedom I will gain as she gets older. I don’t think that’s selfish. I think it’s important to honour your own needs and desires before anyone else’s… including your child. She has learned this lesson well and knows that she is her most important person. Bringing a child into the world is a huge and very impactful decision and I feel that too many people take that decision far too lightly. Each to their own of course, but considering it is the biggest decision you will ever make, it surprises me how often people give it so little thought. It’s wonderful that you have made your decision available for people to chew on. Thank you so much for sharing xo

    1. Hi Hope, thanks so much for sharing your story. Your daughter is lucky to have a mum like you 🙂
      I couldn’t agree more, it is a massive decision, completely life changing and too many people do it because they don’t think twice about it. That’s part of being a human and what a normal life cycle should be. Maybe 100 years ago, but in this day and age, I think that there is so much more to take into consideration. Thanks again for your insight.

  49. Hi, Masa..
    How are you? I enjoy getting your blogs in my mailbox. 🙂
    As for this post..I understand you felt compelled to give reasons as to why you and Michael don’t want kids, but seriously, it isn’t anybody’s business. You’re not obligated to give reasons or justify your decision. It’s simply YOUR CHOICE. OWN IT. 🙂
    As for me..I’m 53 years young, vegan nearly a year and an aspiring minimalist (getting better, but not completely there, yet)..and I simply never wanted kids. I never received the “mom gene”. That said, I feel I would have made a good enough mother, as I’m very nurturing..but that said, you have to WANT them. All other reasons aside, you simply have to have it “in” you to WANT to take care of a little being..and I don’t, and I’m not going to apologize for that..and you shouldn’t, EITHER. My point is, the environment and other reasons you’ve mentioned, may not be “good enough” if you TRULY wanted to have kids to begin with. I know that wouldn’t stand in the way for ME if I DEEPLY wanted children. I would just “make do” because my desire to raise a little one would overshadow everything else..know what I mean? All this to say, do something (or don’t) because you feel it deeply in your soul and it resonates with you..not because your ideologies are pushing you in a different direction. Just like I’m vegan, but don’t have a vegan cat because my ideology has NOTHING to do with him, having children or not I feel should come from your innate desires, not from your belief system. Maybe I’m wrong and you disagree, and that’s fine. 🙂 I’m just saying that if you truly, REALLY wanted to have kids, NOTHING would stop you.
    All the best.
    Jo xo

    1. Hi Jo, thanks for your message. In all honesty, I was more compelled to write it because I wanted to let others know that if they think like this, they are not alone. I’ve had an overwhelming amount of emails, comments and conversations since only posting this yesterday morning and it’s refreshing to see others connecting with it. This is what I wanted.
      And I get what you’re saying, it is after all my life and my body 🙂
      I also completely understand what you mean about truly wanting kids and that the environment wouldn’t be a big factor if that was the case. I think the way that I see it is that when you make a decision as big as having kids, and think about their future as well as their kids (your grandkids), this is where the environment plays a role and where for me it’s a massive turn off. I wouldn’t want them to only learn about certain animals by going to the museum or not know what it’s like to have clean (truly clean) drinking water.
      I think a lot also comes down to personality and how you truly see the world. So if the WHY is strong enough in you, you may choose otherwise.
      Thanks so sharing!

  50. Thank you SO much for sharing this! It’s so nice to know there are more people out there who are comfortable talking about this incredibly life-changing decision. I’m excited for a life without kids and happy I’ll have more energy to help others discover ways to make the world a better place!

    Thank you for sharing <3

    1. Thanks so much for your lovely message Kristina! It means a lot. Thank you also for caring about mother nature and all of us that share her beauty 🙂

  51. Thought I’d way in from the prospective Grandma angle. I have four sons, and have always wanted lots of grandchildren, just assumed that would happen. My oldest (37) and his wife have never wanted kids, and it’s a good choice for them for many reasons. My 2nd (30) and his probably future wife have recently said they also do not want kids. That one took me by surprise. And while it might be easy for me, as I have 2 more kids who may still reproduce, I’ve told them all that there is only one good reason to have a kid, and that’s because you truly want and can provide for one. Providing your parents with grandchildren is a terrible reason! Would it make me sad to miss out on grandchildren? Absolutely! But would I want them to feel pressured into having a child for me? Absolutely not! I do campaign for more grand dogs, though, completely guilt free.

    1. Hi Lyn, thank you for your honest thoughts and perspective. I think that this is how my parents feel as well. They would love to have grandkids but are in no way wanting us to have them if we don’t want them. I guess a lot of it comes down to how someone is raised and what values the family has. If family and having lots of it around is very important, I think that the kids are more likely to want to have children compared to let’s say a family that may not have those same values. Thanks again for your message 🙂

  52. Minimalist Weirdo says:

    Thank you for your article ! I think and feel exactly the same today.
    But it wasn’t the case when I met my husband. At the time I wanted kids badly (probably to repair something from my childhood).
    But then I became a nanny, and now I know I don’t want a kid of my own. I love my job, I have a lot of fun, but not always. Kids are really demanding, and I’m so glad when the parents come home and I get to leave and be at peace at night with my husband.
    I now know that I don’t want children, but my husband does. Badly. Like it is the only thing he has always wanted… And I don’t feel like I can take it from him. I love him more than my own life, and I think I ‘ll have to sacrifice for him at some point. I have to choose between the love of my life and my happiness… That’s a tough one.
    I’m so happy for you, for you have found someone that shares your opinion on kids. You are very lucky. ????

    (Please forgive any mistake, I am French)

    1. Hi, thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like a very tough situation. Does he spend much time around kids himself? Just wondering if he may change his mind if he comes to work with you sometime haha.
      But jokes aside, I wish you the best of luck deciding what to do. I know we are lucky to have each other and be on the same page about pretty much everything in life, at least all the important things. Just make sure that if you choose to do it, that you feel good about it too.

      1. Minimalist Weirdo says:

        No, he doesn’t spend any time with kids. And although I talk about my days at work with him all the time, he seems to still be idealizing life with them…
        I guess he has always had the strongest desire to be a father, and cannot imagine living without children, even though he knows it can be tough sometimes. He only keeps the “good side” of it in mind. And I’m the complete opposite : for me, the “good” (and I have trouble finding positive things about having my own child) is totally erased by the bad (sleepless nights, having my personal space and time ruined, having to think about and being responsible for an other human being, the pregnancy and delivery, and the worst : what if he/she is sick ?…)
        We have been talking about it recently. I expressed my lack of desire for a child and he didn’t seem very upset. But I think he might believe that I am going to change my mind someday. I really don’t think so. The older I get, the less desire for a child I have.
        I have to add a little detail : as said in my previous post, I used to want kids. We tried but suffered infertility (I have PCOS). At first I was devastated, but a couple years later, I began to consider it as a sign that maybe I shouldn’t have kids.
        My mother wasn’t a very maternal person. We didn’t have the best relationship. And my father was not in the picture (well, in and out, to be fair). And a few years ago, he killed himself. I learned a lot of things from that moment. How they (he, actually, my mother was not that convinced) decided to have me, why he left, etc…
        So my infertility was just an other reason for me not to have children. And the more info I got regarding my own birth, the more convinced I got that shouldn’t do it.
        I’m sorry for the long post, but I needed to be clear.
        That is why I kinf of feel like a fraud to him. When we met, I agreed to a future with kids, and now I’m backing out. That’s not fair for him. But if I do have a child, that will not be fair to him/her. He will not have a great mother. At least, he will have a great father, which would be more than I had, but still. Feeling unwanted is awful. I know that from experience…

        1. Sorry I only saw this now! Maybe it’s worthwhile talking further about it and expressing how you feel and the fears you have? Talking through all the positives and the negatives and being realistic about it can help you both I think.
          I would feel the same way if I couldn’t have kids – as a sign that it wasn’t meant to be for me.
          Don’t feel like a fraud, things change. People change and we can’t be expected to feel the same way about everything we want for the future, especially when there is so much family history. I’m sorry to hear about your experiences as a child, but I’m sure you would be a loving mother. It’s definitely not an easy decision, I wish you the best of luck. If it was me, I would be listening to my heart first. It’s a life-changing decision.

  53. Thank you for this post. It felt really refreshing to get this in my emails. I’m 22 years old, vegan and trying my best to live a zero waste and minimalist lifestyle. I love kids but don’t think I would want to be a mother for exactly the same reasons you listed, so your article is just what I needed to read today.

  54. Just stopping by to say hello from your country – Slovenia. I share the same thoughts and want you to be encouraged from same-minded people. If you’ll be traveling to Slovenia, I would be happy to meet you. Lots of love

    1. Lovely to hear from you! Where in Slovenia are you? I grew up in Ljubljana, gornji trg area 🙂 Have no immediate plans to travel but we have considered moving there in a couple of years! Stay in touch 🙂

      1. Hey, Maša 🙂 Hope you and Michael are doing well. I currently live near Krško. That’s great! If I can help you with anything, just let me know. 🙂

  55. Hi, i think like Namrata and if i was writing English the way you do, i could have written it myself! 🙂 I’m 45 and don’ t want kids since i’m 17. I never fit in the “traditional mold” since then and my mom always told me “You don’ t have to have kids if you don’t want to” so i never felt the pressure from my family. At the time, environmental problems (other than the ones we have now and much less worse) made me doubt i wanted to put a kid through that. Then i discovered there were way too many people on this planet! Altough i know not gavibg a chuld diesn’t help me province abd mt culture, since locally, our population is declining ( I live in Québec, Canada), i couldn’t resolve myself to have kids just for the sake of keeping my culture and language alive (French) in this part of the world. I have to see the biggest picture, at the planet level, and think more about all the other species for which living land is shrinking every day…. But i have to admit this is the thing thay made me doubt my choice. Losing our cultursl identity. But the facr that i have at least 4 female friends who didn’t have kids ( some i have encouraged to listen to their own voice, not the others, on this aspect) helped a lot!

    1. Hi Julie, I love how you said that you look at the bigger picture. I think that not enough people are doing that, they just focus on their own small world and don’t see the damage we are doing to this beautiful planet. I do also understand about culture and making sure that this stays alive, I’m glad to hear that you have support around you and that you’re a support for them as well.

  56. Hey Masa 🙂
    I’m also vegan, minimalist, and anti-natal. The top reason for me is that the earth is already overpopulated and precious resources are getting scarcer by the day. I don’t wanna bring a child into this kind of a world where they would only suffer! I love children, and that’s the biggest reason I have chosen not to have them.

  57. Thank you Masa for sharing your personal life. I totally agree with everything you have written and thankfully we all have choices and need the strength to ignore society’s expectations. I find it hard enough being vegan,( started late at 55) and can’t imagine how difficult it would be trying to nurture a child in a vegan and minimalist home, when all around us we have people who don’t care and are judgemental. My adult kids know there is no expectation for grandkids- it’s their choice. Mind you we do absolutely adore our first grandchild, however there will be challenges to come trying to accept everyone’s choices when family visits.
    Thanks again for sharing a personal topic.
    Penny

    1. Hi Penny, I felt compelled to do so. Thank you for sharing your perspective as a grandmother, it’s nice to hear that you’ve left it up to them. I appreciate your message 🙂

  58. Hi Masa and Michael,

    Thanks for sharing this article. I’m 31, turning 32 this year and single. I too do not want kids and haven’t for years. Growing up I always thought I did want kids, but that was just because society tells you that that is what you do. You grow up and have children. Once I was old enough to realise that you have a choice I knew I didn’t want them.

    There are many reasons as to why I don’t want kids relating to my family, my mum and Sister, things I’ve experienced and witnessed and things the I don’t want to happen to me or my children if I were to have them. But I agree as well that the planet is dying, were overpopulated, life is hard and what we’re leaving for future generations isn’t anything I would want for my own children. So I just don’t want kids. That, and I’m selfish. Or am I? Maybe that’s society telling me I’m selfish, but really I’m just honest and a realist perhaps??

    But I want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it and with kids it’s no longer about you. You have to put them first and make life completely about someone else and I’m just not prepared to do that. Plus, growing up with a single mum we struggled. We never really went without but my Sister and I knew mum had no money and things were tight. We were made to feel guilty for everything we got and I would never want that for my own children. Furthermore, the work I do is a great form of contraception hahahahahaha – youth work/social work. I see the results of damaging your children and how easy it is to do, and I’m too scared I would do that. So I don’t want to put myself in that position or my unborn child.

    Also Masa, I watched a client give birth a few years ago as she asked me to be with her. This was a really special thing and I felt so honoured. The whole experience was amazing and I’ll never forget it. But, it looked and sounded like the worst experience of anyone’s whole life! If I were pregnant tomorrow I would have a panic Attack out of the fear of knowing that I had to physically give birth and there was no way around it. It’s so scary and makes me feel sick to just think about it.

    Also, call me mean or whatever, but I think it’s physically weird that we can grow a human inside us. I mean this isn’t why I don’t want kids, but seeing as we’re on the topic I wanted to share this thought. Yes it’s amazing that a females body can do such a complex thing, but it actually freaks me out that like a garden, we can grow a life inside us. It reminds me of an alien hahaha.

    Anyway, enough of me. Just on the thought of you guys adopting, maybe you should consider, or even look at fostering a child. The Organisation I currently work for is screaming out for more foster carers and you don’t have to have children for Long term, you could just do respite, or if you do Long term, it can lead to adoption or Enduring Parental Responsibility (EPR) which is like adoption. Adoption this way or EPR isn’t necessarily easy, but it’s easier than private adoption. Of course, fostering isn’t easy, these are very traumatised children, but it’s worth it and worth considering. You can let me know and I’ll post you info or just look at the Barnardos/ACT Together website for more info.

    All the best and hope to see you at the Cruelty Free shop on the 9th for your book signing – if I finish work on time.

    Kindly
    Jessie Jo

    1. Hi Jessie, thank you so much for your honest share. I find it so important to be honest with yourself with what you want in life, that doesn’t make you selfish. I think that it just makes you stronger as a person because you know what you do and don’t want in life. Some people might see that as selfish but I see that as independent.

      I can completely understand and relate to many things you mentioned. Thanks for letting me know about the fostering system here in Canberra, we may look into that in the future but are quite happy being kid-free for now.

      Hopefully see you on Saturday! 🙂 M x

  59. I have 2 children & I love them….but I do openly tell people & my children that if I had my life over I wouldn’t have kids (shock horror! I can hear people’s reactions!) That doesn’t mean for one moment I don’t love them, I don’t have regrets & no I definitely wouldn’t change a thing.
    It probably even sounds abit contradicting….
    I enjoyed reading your article. I think society can put too much pressure on people to re- produce.
    The reality is kids cost money & lots of it! They also bring alot of heartbreak & alot of joy.
    Each to their own really whether you decide to or not to, your choice should be respected.

    1. Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing so honestly. I can totally understand that.
      Glad to hear you enjoyed the post, it’s nice to see that it’s resonating with others.

    2. Hi, I do the same as Kelly, I even have 3 kids and there are many positive things to have them but I also tell them and anyone who ask me, that having children is hard and not suit to everyone’s lifestyle. (Well I always say: no kids!) My lifestyle has changed to vegan and minimalist from let’s called it “common “ and now I would never decide for having kids:) The only thing is that, if smart and conscious people won’t have children, there will be more and more “common” kids, then adults 😉 So I am trying to raise my kids to be conscious and the best as they can. I am trying to be a role model for them but I also give them choice to choose their way. That is what I and other parents can do for better future for all of us, I suppose;)

  60. I forgot to mention, we also live in Canberra 🙂

  61. Good post. I felt the same way but eventually my husband and I decided to have one child. She is now nearly 7 and is an absolute delight. She has attended Montessori school which merged into mainstream schooling at year one, and is a proud vegan. It is true that she has stuff, but we don’t buy her much and she is perfectly happy with some books and a soccer ball, plus plenty of our time and love.
    I totally understand all your feelings and have felt them too. If you ever want to chat about how we live here I am happy to do so.
    Peace and love, erin

    1. Hi Erin, thanks so much for sharing! Glad to hear that you’ve found a good balance. Nice to see a fellow Canberran 😉 I’ll definitely be in touch sometime!