"wait, everyone else on earth wants kids but me?" hits and I feel like a total dork who missed the hormonal memo.

Per-zactly.

I love my niece and nephew and very much wish they lived closer so I could be more a part of their lives.

Nora, I thought maybe you deleted it because you decided not to talk about it, but since it seems to be okay... you are so not alone. I've never wanted kids. Never had the urge, not a twinge. I often think there must be something wrong with me. My friends all tease me about my complete lack of a maternal instinct. I enjoy other people's kids (well, okay, not all of them) and watching them develop is a wonder, but I don't want any of my own. I think I'd be a horrible parent.

There go all my Christmas gift ideas for you.

You don't have to try so hard. I'm easily placated with cash, really. Thanks!

But Cash is going to have a baby soon and then there'd be a baby in your house.

"wait, everyone else on earth wants kids but me?" hits and I feel like a total dork who missed the hormonal memo.

Not everyone else, though I agree it can feel that way some times.

and then there'd be a baby in your house.

but Cash would be there to take care of Baby.

The people I don't understand are the child haters.

I understand not wanting to be a parent, and I understand not liking certain children, or certain groups of children--because it's exactly the same as not liking certain adults, and certain groups of adults.

I understand not wanting to be surrounded by large groups of children (boy, do I ever). I understand eschewing "family" restaurants and other places, in favor of those places that have a more adult atmosphere. I understand not choosing to, in general, do many things where there are likely to be a lot of kids around.

But the child haters confuse me, I suppose because we all start out that way. I'm thinking in particular of what you see in some child-free fora at lj, particularly the hardcore ones. There's so much hatred towards children (and parents, which I actually understand more, because I figure it's a likely combination of personal family issues, and too much contact with rude parents who think everyone in sight is supposed to tend to or focus on their children, and who let their kids run wild). It's a weird sort of ageism, I guess.

Nora, I thought maybe you deleted it because you decided not to talk about it

I deleted it because I thought I was being inappropriately stupid, whining, and churlish. Also, I was afraid it might be misconstrued as anti-baby. (like how I fear my pro-elopment stance makes me sound like a fuckhole to people who had lovely non-elopement ceremonies and receptions)

Basically I suck, therefore I delete.

Man, I'm in a crapshit of a mood today. Between the Zogby poll and the Gretna reports I am just... ready to go home and drink I guess.

Funnily enough, it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that it really really hit me that I hadn't HAD to ever have children at all. It was a startling realization.... many years too late, of course.

{{Nora}}

I understand not liking certain children, or certain groups of children--because it's exactly the same as not liking certain adults, and certain groups of adults.

I've seen more of this than anything else.

I don't care for child hating either. I don't like those forums. I will sympathize with tales of asshole parents raising asshole children, though.