I just read MadMarch's blog entry about how she never has had the desire to have children. And, it doesn't look like her opinion is going to change any time soon (if ever).
This entry saddened me. Not because someone doesn't want to become a mother (I honestly couldn't care less--there are too many people on this planet anyway), but because I happen to agree with many of her points. But, I want kids. Rather, I
want to want kids. I know that doesn't exactly count, though.
"I'm deathly afraid of being pregnant."-MarchThis applies to me,
almost. I wouldn't say I'm deathly afraid of pregnancy, but the idea does freak me out more than just a little. I'm not even sure
why it does. I'm not afraid the baby will suck out my life force, or anything like that. I'm not overly fond, however, of the idea of stretching everything out. My stomach, hips, and well, nether-regions will definitely not be as attractive when the process is over and done with. I'm not sure I'll want to hand over my body to some demon creature. Not that my body is overly divine, but I'm sure it will be less attractive when it's all over. The whole ordeal seems a little gross. Especially child birth. I don't even want to go into that. The gross and pain factors are definitely repellents.
"I want a career. And lots more book learnin'."-MarchThis is very true for me. I want a life, damnit. I want a career, and lots of money, and youthful looks, time to travel and enjoy myself, and a clean house. All of those things usually fly out the window after a kid or two. I want to be able to sleep through the night without having to wake up in the middle of the night for some infant to suck milk out of my boobs. Which, is a very weird concept for me. It wasn't when I was little, when I never pictured myself as the mommy. Or if I did, my mental image didn't involve breastfeeding. It involved a faceless husband and a faceless child and me smiling. And how weird would that be if my husband and I were having sex, and he squeezed my boobs, and milk squirted all over his face? That's very funny to me now, but I'm sure it would be awful in the moment. Actually, no. It'd probably still be pretty funny then, too. But funny and desirable are two different things.
"I would be a horrible mother."-MarchThis is actually the opposite for me. I know I'd be a great (or at least a fairly decent) mother, but I'm terrified of losing everything else in my life. Which, apparently happens. Everyone I've known who became new parents always have one thing to say: "Your kids become your entire life. You never go out anymore."
I do not want that for myself. I mean, I'm sure it's worth it or whatever to most people, but what if I'm not one of those most people? I've also read anonymous things on the internet about people who regret having children, or who don't love their children, or something like that. As a daughter, I think I would become severely depressed if I learned my parents didn't want me. Not in the sense that they gave me up at birth, but that they had gotten to know me, had raised me, and
still didn't want me. I would never put this on a child. I would rather have them become my entire life than miss my old life more than I loved them. But, I don't
want to miss my old life more. So, if I don't have kids, I don't have to worry about that.
And, something of my own:
I really, really want to live in New York Cityfor quite a very long time.
How am I supposed to do that with kids? How am I supposed to have the time to write books if I have children? I can't travel and leave my kids behind all of the time. I think I'd like to wait to have kids until I'm 45, but that potentially presents some complications. Also, that would mean that I would have to look after a little person until I was
at least 68, and that's if I only have one and they move out and become completely financially stable the day they turn 18. Admittedly, it's unlikely. I just wish I had more time as an adult to myself. I also want to be able to enjoy my husband. I don't want to be one of those couples who stops having sex after their youngest child turns two. That's very depressing.
I feel broken or defected for being a woman and not wanting children. But I don't care. Except, that I do.