@oregon101 , that’s good to know about age 27 they grow up. Ours has been quite something else. Although he is much, much better at 24 than 21, he is still quite immature in many ways. I see the light, but he has a way to go. Nice knowing that it might just be a few years away.
Like what seems like quite a few on here, I’m not a kid person and have never been one, and will never be one. I like my two just fine but I’ve never really be interested in other kids, even my kids’ friends. Playdates were just a giant burden. Part of it is I’m just a hardcore introvert and anybody ‘needing’ me is just a burden. Luckily I found a spouse who wasn’t the needy sort.
Zero interest. I was the youngest kid & youngest cousin. Once my neighbor asked me to babysit when I was about 13. The 4 year old I was babysitting pooped his pants. I was done with babysitting after that!
I had D1 when I was 27 after about 5 years of marriage. H was older and more than ready. I guess it just seemed like the thing to do at the time.
@romanigypsyeyes It is possible that having a kid may transform your SIL. It was the making of me as a human being, IMHO. It is hard to stay selfish with a kid to take care of.
@intparent I hope so but I’ve known my sister my whole life and she’s pretty set in her way.
I really do hope.
Zero interest. I’m the youngest of four, the caboose baby. No first cousins. 2 siblings never had children. I wasn’t around young children much and didn’t understand them or know what was age appropriate or not.
It felt like a “now or never” situation for us. I was ambivalent. Once we had them, I was “all in”, but my secret fantasy life is a do-over where I’m single + no kids.
My own mother died when I was in college, and I never heard her perspective on parenting — adult to adult. Miss that.
I’m second oldest of 5 kids. By the time my youngest sister was becoming an adult, my sister had moved home with 2 toddlers.
I’ve always loved kids, always known I wanted to teach kids, always wanted kids in my life.
I think I’m middle of the road. I only babysat for my next door neighbors. I tried a few other people and said “never again”.
After finishing my internship in adults, I did another year in children and families. I loved my child/patients. In many cases, it could have been mutual, as I’d be invited to their weddings or other special events. One gal wrote to me until she was in her 30’s. I think that gave me courage.
My son was my miracle child, born after an ectopic pregnancy and cancer and miscarriages. I wish I had more children. I never stopped working. I had au pair s. For a few years. I don’t think I would have been so good as a stay at home mom. It was more fun when he could talk and express himself.
My cousin has MANY grandchildren. I was with a few last night. I like when they sit with me and share things . One spoke about books, another how she helps her friend who has become transgender. I find these kids to be fascinating. I wish I had a grandchild but it’s not for me to,push.
I’ve always liked babies. Now, I simply adore them. I really do. The older I get the more miraculous they seem to me.
I always say I love my own child and other people’s pets, but not the other way around.
Well, I’m sure I’d love the kids of other CC regulars. 
^Yes, because they’re all above average!
Babies are cute but not compelling.
Toddlers are creepy (seriously, they can walk and talk, but still poop their pants? And they’re sticky and loud).
Ages 3.5-10 are absolutely delightful.
Ages 11-14 are volatile – alternately delightful and despicable…
Teenagers are really interesting, dynamic people.
I was thrilled to have my children, but felt prior to pregnancy that if it didn’t happen it would be ok.
Major, debilitating PPD meant I’d never have a third and sometimes I wonder how I and my marriage made through the 1st year with my 2nd.
We married at 23 (me) and 25 and waited almost 7 years. We were so much older at those ages than our girls seemed at the same. Now in their later 20s, if they have children they’ll be somewhere in their 30s. I’m so happy they have options and choices for themselves. Their lives, not mine.
I had always longed for children. I wish I’d waited a little before starting (I was 26) because looking back I was young for my age and nowhere near even my good-enough self. Motherhood has been the making of me, though, both because of what I wanted for them and for being around two honest, intense, scary-smart littles.
Sons are 25 and 28 now, one married, one in a relationship for six+ years. They haven’t mentioned kids yet, but the older one has a spider plant I adore.
Thanks for being so candid. I just don’t know if this would be something I would admit to in my not on line life.
I have always liked babies, children, and teenagers (one at a time). They tend to like me back. My life’s work is helping young adults find their way. But I ONLY like other people’s children. I have been certain that I did not want to have children since I was ~12. For 25 years, everybody smiled and told me that I would change my mind. The best thing about reaching middle age was that people started believing that maybe I knew more about my wishes than they did.
I don’t want to be in the Army, either, even though lots of people love it. I want to be able to quit my job without going to jail.
Up until my mid-20’s, I spent my life working to get out of the projects and becoming a self-supporting, viable member of society. Once I was able to support myself, I began to think about having children but it wasn’t until I became a godmother right before I turned 30 that I actually began to want a child of my own. I quickly became pregnant but had an early miscarriage. I got pregnant again about 6 months later and had my first son. I was in love with him the minute he was born. However, as much as I adored him, the thought of being a SAHM did not appeal to me and I went back to work when he was 6 weeks old. As a single mother by choice, I really had no choice about going back to work.
Six months later, I unintentionally became pregnant again due to a contraceptive failure. Although I originally planned a termination, now H (then baby daddy) begged me not to and I finally realized that I was over 30, not a kid anymore, and who knew if I would ever be able to have a second child if I terminated this one? H and I married for our D’s first birthday.
We went on to have 3 more sons, but the baby I almost terminated is my only girl. She doesn’t know (nobody does) and never will.
I never enjoyed the SAHM life. I used to joke that I loved going to work because the people were more than 3’ tall, they spoke English in a comprehensible way and best was that if I asked them to do something, they would say - sure, when would you like that and not “Why are you picking on me?,” “how much are you paying me” or “It’s HIS turn!” I HATE arts and crafts, playing with mud or bugs or being on the floor. OTOH, H adores all of those things. We moved his practice to the house and he became SAHD. I love my kids and when I would come home from work, H would bathe the little ones while I read to them (with 5 kids, you have to double up on stuff) and then I would read with the two oldest together.
I adored their milestones and loved their toddler years. My favorite ages were kindergarten age through about 4th grade when their personalities were really forming.
Now, I have grandma envy. I admit it. Unfortunately, none of my kids seem to want to have any…
I was never particularly fussed about having kids. When I met my husband (2nd marriage) he did not think he was able to have children - he had 2 adopted children from his first wife. (He thought it was him that could not have children because she told him that - when I got pregnant my MIL discovered from the doc it had never been him - his ex had lied to him. I think my MIL thought I’d been cheating on him when I got pregnant ). When I got pregnant we were surprised but quite happy but we lost her when I was 5 months pregnant. I was really sad and did want another baby. Took about 2 years before I got pregnant again (all the temp taking etc) with our son. Then my daughter came along without us really trying. If I had not gotten pregnant by surprise the first time I would have probably been quite happy childless but I did enjoy having them.
My daughter and SIL have no plans to have children. I am fine with that - it’s their life and their decision. Son really does want them and fiancee does also. If it happens (& hope it does for their sake), I am sure I will love them to bits. But i’m not sitting here pining. My husband on the other hand…
THIS! I was not an infant or toddler person. I only have 2, but maybe I would have had more if they came out sleeping through the night, potty-trained, and able to dress themselves.
I spent a lot of time with babies and older children. I am the 2nd of 6 children (and oldest daughter). For as long as I can remember, I was always taking care of one of my siblings. It was a real burden. My mother was overwhelmed with 6 kids and it was my duty to be the “little mother”. I also did a lot of babysitting for other families. My mother wasn’t the best role model, although she meant well. She was always stressed, anxious, and somewhat emotionally detached. I didn’t equate motherhood with anything fun or joyful. As a parent, I made a conscious effort to relearn what parenting so that I didn’t become my mother.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my own children (after age 4 of course). D is newly married. I am not chomping at the bit to be a grandmother, but I know my heart will melt when the time comes.
My bio daughter came home from the hospital at 3 months and was pretty much sleeping through the night. I had to wake her up to feed her most nights. Never cried, was happy as could be. She could sleep on a pile of rocks (more often Legos).
My adopted daughter came home at 2.5 years. I’m not sure she sleeps through the night now.