I've never heard anyone say "I had kids because I thought I'd be a good parent".

Yupp. The best, indeed the only, reason for not wanting kids. It doesn't, or shouldn't, need any explanation.

I never wanted kids, even from a young age I was quite clear on this point. I was subjected to so much overt and subvert harassment through my life because of this decision. I didn't ever let them wear me down.

I was 8 when I told my mom I was never having children, and 55 years later I have zero regrets about keeping my word.

That is profound !

Should be a given.

I think secretly most women have a favorite gender, but when they actually get the opposite gender they love them just the same

Why is this downvoted? People agrees that hitting your kid is okay because they 'turned out fine" ?

As someone with mental health issues, I can tell you that it is a struggle. I suffered a few forms of abuse as a child, and as a result I have some issues. I am not abusive by far, but my ADHD and PTSD sometimes make me anxious and difficult to understand. If you have issues you need help BEFORE you have kids. I didn't get help until AFTER. My kids love me very much and think I am a good mom, but I could have been a GREAT mom if I had sought therapy long ago.

I know someone like this. His wife has a full time job as a cardiology nurse, he has a full time job as a project manager of his own business. Both difficult and time consuming jobs, no judgment there from me. He still expects her to do all the housework, childcare, and shopping. He is only just now learning to care for his own kids while also managing a full time job. But, their house is awfully dirty because he refuses to help her or even do it for himself once in awhile 🙄. They've been together forrrr.. 8 years? 3 kids, oldest is 7. Yeah.

Okay, but I'm only buying 5 kinds of Fancy Feast so I hope they're all happy with that.

Only an actual parent could write this, and it's referring to other actual parents. Nobody goes into parenthood thinking that they will be like this, even if they turn out to be so.

I hate it when women will get pregnant to hold on to a man. Like, have some self-respect and respect others. That's a human child, not a toy.

Yuck

My mom has 4 kids only because she wanted a daughter to primp and call princess, to treat like a trophy of some kind. I am that daughter. If I had been her second child, she would have only had 2 kids. I beg you, my fellow pandas, to not do this to your children.

There are way too many stories out there of parents abusing or kicking out their own children just because they are LGBT. I get “sincerely held beliefs”, etc. but I cannot fathom how anyone could treat their own child that way.

I think many parents, especially mums, don't have the social net that's needed to raise a child anymore- and thus no time to look after themselves first

Pretty sure this would apply to the vast majority of parents globally. Cultural and family values not allowing for the possibility of not having children, so at no point is the question "Do I want children?" ever asked.

Fair enough, knowing yourself is very important.

Better use that money to have some great trips you can use as 'content'

I hate a lot of humans and plants and me don't get along, but I love my chick like nothing else on this world. Ok, I'm not broke though,that being the deciding factor

With the obvious exception of mothers being forced to carry to term an unwanted pregnancy.

This is why I have been in therapy for many years and my husband and I have been together for 4 now. We decided together that I am ready for children now and we will be bring our first baby home in just a few months 🥰. I feel that I did it right.

Had this guy tell me on a first date he wanted children with me. Now, as a woman you probably should feel flattered. Well, good thing I asked him „why?“. He 100% meant what he said then: „because my genes Are too good Not to pass on.“ Such a prick! Glad I didn‘t waste time on a second date with him. (Though I‘ve got to admit he was very good looking and a very talented person, but a narcissist is an absolute no-go)

We need a word other than selfish to describe this.

Sold me!!

The problem is that who don't realise this is more willing to make they're children orrible people for the health of our planet just like them, yes some kids may turn good unlike parents, but if all the "good caring people" stops having children and educating them to the good things of life (and supporting them through the bad) then it would remain only bad parenting with angry traumatized child who doesn't care about the world we live on but just fulfilling their traumatic needs, isn't that worse? (Asking for a friend :p)

That's a big enough reason!

I was only 18 when I got pregnant. I had never been around babies before and had never even held one. I had low paying jobs but was living by myself and got by. Once I held my son, I was instantly besotted and we spent every moment together doing things which cost no money. We played at the park, went on picnics and had make believe adventures. He is now 49 and I am still besotted with him. He turned out amazing.

My MIL asked me one day why I didn't have children (with her son,who has a daughter from a prior marriage.) I didn't feel that I should even have to answer this question, as not everyone wants kids. Plus I have never heard anyone ask someone "so why did you choose to HAVE children?"

In the Western World yes, lol to the last part

I don't like other people's children mine are fine.

My former sister-in-law is 34. She has six children, the oldest is 16, the youngest is 8. I love my nieces and nephews to pieces but just, no.