I’ve always thought that eventually I’d have a kid or two. Back when I was 20, I kept saying “Oh, in five years I’ll have a kid.” I’m 31 now, and it just never seems to be the right time. Meanwhile, all my friends are doin’ it. I have at least one female friend who is not married and is just dyin’ to have a kid. She’s even thinking about just doing it on her own, she wants one that badly.
And me? I keep waiting for that magical moment that’s supposed to happen to all females, where all of a sudden, something clicks and pregnancy and infants start looking appealing. As it stands, the idea of being pregnant scares the shit out of me. I’ve finally gotten this body semi in-shape, I don’t want to screw it all up by being pregnant. Furthermore, infants do nothing for me. If anything, they repulse me. I’ve yet to see a newborn (even a picture of a newborn) that appeals to me. My first thought is “Yuk, it’s probably all dirty and full of germs.” My second thought is “I resent the burden of having to give pills to my cat twice a day. Breastfeeding? Changing diapers? Not for me, thank you very much.”
On the other hand, a six-year-old sounds pretty nice. A ten-year-old sounds even nicer. And adult children when I’m old seems very, very nice. I see how much pleasure my parents get out of their adult children, and I’d kind of like to have that to look forward to in my dotage.
Mr. Athena is somewhat divided on the issue. He was married previous to hooking up with me, and they were never, ever, ever going to have kids. He claims that it was mostly her idea, but still, he’s not clamoring to spawn. He’s not 100% against it, either. We both worry about having to be so responsible, and doing something that takes up so much of our lives. We’re your typical DINK types - we spend too much money, take nice vacations, etc. etc.
I’ve never really seriously contemplated never having a kid. I’ve always assumed at one point I’d start wanting one. I’m getting older, though, and it still isn’t happening. So what to do? Take the plunge, get through the pregnancy/infancy thing, and hope that I like it more than I think? Decide never to have any of the little buggers? I never hear parents say that they regret having kids, but then again, who would admit such a thing even if deep down they did feel that way?
I figger I’m doing the intelligent, logical thing, and throwing this question out to a pile of virtual strangers in the hopes that someone will beat some sense into me.