7 Reasons Why It's Okay to Not Have Children ...

More and more couples are deciding for themselves why it’s okay to not have children. However, they are still being ridiculed by society, including those closest to them. Having children is not for everyone, and it’s not a decision that is made lightly. If you’re someone who has put down others who don’t want to have kids or you’re someone who is still thinking it over, continue reading for helpful tips on why it’s okay to not have children.

1 You Love Being Independent

You see other couples who travel with their kids and just think to yourself, “This is why it’s okay to not have children”; because you love being independent. You don’t want to deal with the crying, changing of the diapers, and early morning feeds while going to the beach. You love just waking up with your spouse and being able to do what you want without worrying about a little one. When you hear about your favorite band coming to town you don’t want to have to search for a baby-sitter, you just want to go! When you have children, you are no longer just living for yourself, you now have to plan with them in mind. If you love being independent and being on your own without the worry of a two year old pulling on your leg, it’s okay to not want to have children.

2 Career

You enjoy what you do and you’re looking forward to moving ahead in your career. However, this path does not include children and some people don’t agree with you. Whether you’re a med student, an event planner, or even a writer, there are some women who just love their job and want to keep moving forward in it and that’s okay. You shouldn’t feel bad about loving your career more than the thought of having a child. In some careers there just isn’t time to be home to make dinner, take the kids to soccer games, and clean up after everyone. You love helping your patients, going to conventions to speak about your book, or planning events that make people happy. You’re happy in your career and there’s nothing wrong with that.

3 You Have StepChildren

My husband and I have been married for almost four years and have been together for eight. When we met, he had three children of his own ranging in ages of 8 to 17. After a few years of being together, his children became my children and together we became a family. Many blended families have a child of their own, but we decided that we already had our children, especially since the two girls were young and still needed parental guidance. I may not have given birth to them, but in my heart and my soul these are my children, GOD gave them to me to love and protect.

4 Not for You

As your friends are celebrating with baby showers and crying over cute little booties, you are out enjoying a drink or planning a trip to Italy. You have decided that having children just isn’t for you. You’re not the woman who gets emotional over pink tutus or goes crazy over holding a friend’s baby. Yes, you’ll be the coolest Aunt in the world who takes her niece to her first concert or cuts her nephew’s hair into the shape of a mohawk! But, you just don’t see yourself wanting to deal with a screaming, crying baby. It’s better to be the woman who knows having children is not for her than to be the woman who regrets having one, because that situation isn’t healthy for the mother or child.

5 You’re Always on the Go

Whether you’re in the military, work for the CIA, or just don’t like to stay in one place for too long, being on the move can make it difficult to raise a child. So, if you decided that you like living on the road, moving from country to country, and don’t want to have a child, then do and go be you! No-one can nor should they try to stop you from being who you want to be.

6 You’re a Night Owl

You’re always up late at night, which is why you work the late shift and have never really been a morning person. Having kids means getting up early; when they're little it means getting up all hours of the night and morning. Then when they start school you’ll have to get up when they get up, or you’ll have to get up first to wake them up! This just isn’t the life for you, so sleep in and stay up late and don’t feel bad for wanting to do so!

7 It Isn’t Easy

Having a child isn’t for everyone, even when you think you’re ready...you’re not! This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t have children for this reason. But if you don’t see yourself as someone who can really change their entire lifestyle, and be selfless when the time comes, then it’s okay to not want to have children. Raising a child isn’t easy; it’s not easy on your relationship, your wallet, or your mind. Yes, having a child can be very rewarding, but if you feel your life is rewarding in other ways, be proud of it.

Whether you decide to have a child or have realized that it’s okay to not have children, make sure this is your decision and no one else's. Also, before you marry the love of your life, be sure to make this choice together.

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Comments

Megan Once you have them, you can't give them back.
Genevieve Still pretty young but am entering my 30s soon and do not regret the decision so far to not have kids. I'm fiercely independent and the thought of being self-sacrificing and constantly being at-the-ready is tiring to me mentally and physically. Plus my job hours are erratic and I'm home at different times every day. I know that wouldn't be fair to me or the kid.
Desiree I've been a teacher for 30 years now, it's sad, but I can assure that many women should have read articles like this one before having kids. Don't bring human beings into the world if you are not completely sure, kids shouldn't be an accident or a social requirement, they require and deserve much more.
Diana This is probably my favorite article
Heather Having stepchildren is NOTHING like having your own. It' apples and oranges.
Jade I know that some people can\'t because of illness or something but its kind of selfish to ruin your family history by just breaking of the link and if you really have pride in your family why wouldn\'t u want to keep that going. If u think about it it is soo much more than the delivery of the child. Pain is temporary but love is forever
Leone Great article! I\'ll show it to a friend who don\'t want to have children. I hope this encourages her decision :)
- Denise @Leone Lobos You're such a good friend!
Stacey I think that woman should have kids when 1. they are at a decent age 2. Financially stable 3. Are mentally and physically ready 4. Have a stable relationship with someone 5. Actually desires to have a baby and start a family with somone 6. Is ready to commit to being a mom and forget about drinking and partying
- Meghan @Stacey In other words, Never.
Rosalina Great article
Andreea Great article,another good idea would be: Reasons why it\'s okay to not want to get married.
Becca I thought I would want kids but I really don\'t. I mean they\'re cool and all, and you can teach them things and watch them grow, but I like being able to do what I want without having to worry about a mini-me in the process. If I did have a kid, I\'d really consider doing it alone. Not getting married again!
Estefania YES yo all of them! I\'m a med student and when I\'m done I plan to join doctors without borders so I really don\'t see it happening
Meghan I don\'t like them. They are messy, tiring and expensive. I like my sleep in my clean house and my money. Then when they get to be teenagers, they may rebel. I don\'t have time for that. I\'d end up in jail like Madea.
- Jade @Meghan u are sooo wrong I can\'t even tell u
Lori having kids = unending self sacrifice
Colleen Or the best reason not to have kids-- I don\'t like them!
Vicki 47 and I don\'t regret my choice at all! I knew it from my early teen years. I\'m too selfish & don\'t envy the soccer mom life & forcing my kids to do things they don\'t want to, AT ALL
Deec Lori, what you\'ve described sounds like a jail sentence to me. Thus is the beauty of knowing when you were NEVER meant to be a mom...
- Meghan @Deec Exactly what I was thinking.
Lori having a baby changes who you are completely - once you have a child they become the focus of you life - before you would think am I ok do I have what I need and from the minute that life is born you forget about yourself and worry all about your child and this never stops till your dead - thats parenthood very deceivingly beautiful
Maya THANK YOU.
Kiara If I had gotten pregnant in my early twenties, I\'d be in a different place right now. I used to have the idea of getting married and having children. At one moment I even wanted three and have a house with a picket fence. Reality in the present has given me a different perspective and I am glad I have the possibility to wait until I am in my thirties or not having the at all. I am glad it doesn\'t make me a bad person. It\'s a responsibility for life and it shouldn\'t be taken lightly.
- Lori @Kiara good choice smart girl guess what there is no picket fence being married is like being in business - u have to hope that business partner has all the same ideas for the business as u do or its not worth it at all
Hey And maybe the biggest reason of them all: missing the feeling of wanting children.
Libra I was also like that before but now I have a cute baby. It\'s tough to handle baby but overall it\'s good.
- Lori @Libra tough to handle a baby wait till they are between 15 & 19 - enjoy the babyhood - relish it my dear
Bonnie Still on the fence but that \"cool aunt\" part really spoke to me.
Yasmin Love this, I always say I don\'t want kids and people look at me like I\'m crazy but I know I don\'t :)
- Denise @Yasmin All that matters is you're happy with your decision and your life.
Meshel Yes ,i\'ve made my decision . No babies honey !
linda Yep, that\'s me
Kim I\'ve thought about adopting in the future. Babies aren\'t for me.
- Denise @Kim That's such a great thing to do!