It has always bothered me when people have pressured me to start a family. I have received this pressure from my family and feel that this is appropriate, but I have also been pressured by friends, patients, acquaintances and complete strangers. What is with the intense societal pressure to create progeny? I have never understood it and will never allow ANYONE to pressure me into popping out a kid. It is NOT my duty as a woman. Besides, I joke that the dairy section is getting stale, when in reality, it isn’t a joke. The medical risks associated with pregnancy in women over the age of 35 are considerable and not something I want to sign up for.

On another note, I have noticed that the older I get, the less interested I am in being around babies and children. I tolerate them and simply do not imagine my life colored by the incessant responsibilities and time requirements of child-rearing. Let me be the aunt or honorary aunt and observe from a considerable distance and for brief snippets of time. It’s not that I don’t like children. I think they are cute enough, but I don’t experience the ache that many childless women describe when seeing an adorable child.

Perhaps someone will sweep me off my feet and change my mind about raising children, but it is highly unlikely. I love my life and my freedom and do not feel that I am incomplete because I don’t have children. If I want to feel more rooted to my homebase, I will get a dog.

Woof.