The truth? Well, we don't know. We know we are not ready now, but we don't know if that will change in a month, a year, or five years. Maybe we will never be ready.
Not everyone has kids, and that is a good thing. It makes up for the people who pop out twenty children. The world is overpopulated as it is, we could use fewer babies (a debatable topic, but I think personally think we are overpopulated - just look at how much the environment has suffered because of us).
It is very wrong for our society to think that just because you are married you should have children. There are plenty of horrible parents out there that should never have had kids.
It really is no one's business what we do with our reproductive organs. Why do strangers care if we have children or not? It does not affect them. They are not going to be grandparents. They will probably never even see the child. After all, how often do you run into the same person twice? I guess if you live in a small town, then maybe, but in a big city, not likely.
If you are looking for a conversation starter, stick to the weather, not so hard to say "Nice weather we're having aye?" or you know the good old standby that all cashiers know how to ask: "How's your day going?"
Now when family asks, I think it is still rude and totally not okay, but it's kind of understandable because they want to be an aunt or uncle or grandparent, etc. They will most likely see and meet the baby so I can understand why they might ask, but they still shouldn't. Again, it is no one's business what you do with your genitals.
I also think when people ask about kids they are looking for an argument or some way to pressure us into having kids, especially when they ask repeatedly, like I already told you once, let it go. They will say things like "Oh you're never ready for a child, just do it." Yes, because that is a great reason to have a child - Just because one can have a baby, does not mean one should.
A lot of people also say you will love having kids because they love their kids. FALSE! Not everyone is the same. Not everyone is meant to be a parent. I personally do not like kids. They are annoying, loud, germ spreaders, etc. To be fair, it might just be the parenting I don't like, but that is just proof that not everyone should be a parent. Plus you know, all the kids who are beaten, raped, abused, etc by their parents is also proof that not everyone is meant to reproduce.
Another thing to keep in mind is maybe the couple is trying to conceive and it's not happening. Someone actually asked during this time and I managed to keep a straight face and let it go, but I was crushed. We were trying and that's something personal and not something you tell people because if you do, it just gets worse. You instead get asked "are you pregnant yet?" and for someone who has been trying for a while, that's just so soul-crushing.
I was diagnosed with PCOS, but still managed to conceive naturally after 9 months of trying. Being told it may not happen for us though, is heartbreaking and having someone ask you such a personal question ("When are you having kids?") was just not something I needed.
Or maybe the person was pregnant but had a miscarriage and you asking this question is only a painful reminder of the child they lost.
Also, some people can't have kids and your seemingly innocent question now comes off as a painful reminder of what they can't have.
When and whether or not we have kids is our decision. It is no one else's business. If you are one of those people who feel compelled to ask every couple you know: "When are you having kids?" Take a moment and think, why do I care? What kind of response am I hoping for? And if you do ask (though you really shouldn't), accept the couple's answer and move on.
If you have any tips on how to reply to someone when they ask "when are you having kids?" comment below!
Attribution: Image used in blog post photo does not belong to me and was found on Pexels.
Posts
