...a mantra that Mark and I developed early on in our relationship when we realized neither one of us was remotely interested in procreating. At the time, I was 19 and used to say that I didn't know what person my age was chomping at the bit to pop out babies, but I have now seen enough Maury and 16 and Pregnant to know that there are some teen girls out there that need to calm the eff down.
Not having babies was something that was my plan long before Mark came along. Complete horror of the childbirthing process aside, I never really babysat when I was younger partly because I found young kids really awkward to be around. I know that you are just supposed to smile and agree with whatever silliness they say in a voice that is an octave or so above your natural speaking voice, but sometimes I just don't know how to react when a four-year-old comes over to me, pats my face, and says, "Today is your birthday and you're five!"
I've mentally kept a "pros" and "cons" list for years on the subject, with the con column being pretty extensive and the pro column limited to really substantive and deep reasons, like being curious about what a mini-me would look like. So far, con column is winning by a landslide.
The strangest thing is how many people tell me I am going to change my mind when I nform them about my childless plans. I actually have bets going on that if I have a baby by the time I am thirty, I am going to owe several people some money. No one seems to take me seriously when I say I am happy to be a DINK (double income no kids) with Mark and get to travel and have the flexibility that kids does not allow.
For now, I am totally satisfied to be the cool, fun-loving aunt who gives the best presents at Christmas and when my nieces or newphews start to cry get to just pass them along to their parents. And besides, Mark and our kitty kids (who incidently woke my up at 5:30 this morning- a whole new low. I could have killed them.) are more than enough to keep me occupied at the moment.
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