Post #102050 by cynfulcynner on Fri, Jul 16, 2004 1:05 AM

On 2004-07-15 22:44, Atomicchick wrote:
If you have to have a licence to drive, a licence to ride a bike, and even a licence to fish, wouldn't it be a good idea to have a licence to reproduce? Maybe take a couple of parenting classes before you have a kid?

They make you go through all that if you want to adopt a kid via state agencies or be a foster parent.

Now that you've made that lengthy post and SweetPea mentioned the "BRATS!" page here before I could, I think it's safe for me to come out....

I am childfree by choice. I've always been this way; I can't recall a time I ever felt otherwise.

When my little brother was born, it was assumed that I would feel resentful because he was getting all the attention. However, I ended up feeling sorry for my parents because they had to deal with all of his 2 AM feedings and stinky diapers. At the age of 4, I saw the reality that parenting was not a glamorous job.

As I got older, I saw families struggling to balance parenthood and careers, trying to "have it all," and I knew I could never live like that. I don't want it all!

I'm not saying that I hate kids. I always enjoyed babysitting my little cousins and watching them grow up (one swam at the Olympic trials last week) and I look forward to becoming the "crazy doting aunt" in a few years.

In addition to the Bratpage already mentioned, here are some more online resources:

http://www.childfree.net
http://www.nokidding.net
alt.support.childfree
http://www.ninapaley.com (great animated films)

For you parents out there, please keep in mind that we are not the enemy. We like your kids, as long as we can return them to you after a while. 8)

--cindy