If you’re anything like me, you take the letters written to ‘agony aunts’ in the newspaper with a pinch of salt. Some just seem too weird to be real, others just make you think “Don’t you have any friends to ask instead?”
Still, some people seem to believe that this method, asking a total stranger for advice about private matters on a public forum, is the best way forward. Take this mother for example, who wrote to ‘Dear Prudence’ an agony aunt on Slate that appears as a podcast, live chat and publication on their website.
Like many older mothers, she dreams of the pitter-patter of tiny feet returning once again to the family in the form of dear grandchildren. Feeling like she’s tried all options on the table to get her son and daughter-in-law to agree, she turns to Prudie. “How do we convince them that we only want them to be happy?” She asks.
I think it’s fair to say, Prudie is not impressed. Scroll down to see her scathing response, and tell us what you think. Do you agree with Prudie? Have any sympathy with the mother? Let us know in the comments below!
This letter to ‘Dear Prudence,’ an agony aunt on the magazine Slate, appeared recently and received a scathing reply from Prudie
People reacted by relating to and agreeing with Prudie’s advice
Wow. Finally someone told these people to stop, perfect, simple response. I have a similar case with my grandmother. I've told her that when I grow up I don't want to have anything to do with children. They are noisy. They are too much responsibility, they eat from your time and finances... I'm sure many people would disagree but that's how I see children. Lets not mention that I hate most children, I really do. Some are cool smart little guys but most of them are no no. So, anyway, when grandma heard me saying it, she gave me that look of hers "What!? You disagree with my views?"(yeah, she's a bit narrow-minded in my opinion.) and turned to my father, asking loudly: "You wouldn't let her not have kids, right?. He gave her an amused smile and said:"Who are we to decide, if she doesn't want kids, she won't have." I have the best parents ever. :)
You do have awesome parents! As a CF (childfree, which is different from childless btw) I knew at 12 I never wanted kids; for pretty much your exact reasons. My mother has always been supportive. I'm 37 now, and still feel the same way; actually it's worse because the dreamy "happily ever after" version of parenthood has been replaced by reality. Don't let anyone pressure you and remember you are NOT alone! Plenty of CF's all over the world.
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Personally, I want children. One day. But what pissess me off is when people tell me, I owe it to my parents to have them. And that I'm being disrespectful by not having children, since they've had me. I don't quite remember asking them to?
I'd say I owe my parents their care...and I'd feel terrible not taking care of them in the future when/if they need me to. But having children isn't anyone else's business but yours (and your partner).
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Wow. Finally someone told these people to stop, perfect, simple response. I have a similar case with my grandmother. I've told her that when I grow up I don't want to have anything to do with children. They are noisy. They are too much responsibility, they eat from your time and finances... I'm sure many people would disagree but that's how I see children. Lets not mention that I hate most children, I really do. Some are cool smart little guys but most of them are no no. So, anyway, when grandma heard me saying it, she gave me that look of hers "What!? You disagree with my views?"(yeah, she's a bit narrow-minded in my opinion.) and turned to my father, asking loudly: "You wouldn't let her not have kids, right?. He gave her an amused smile and said:"Who are we to decide, if she doesn't want kids, she won't have." I have the best parents ever. :)
You do have awesome parents! As a CF (childfree, which is different from childless btw) I knew at 12 I never wanted kids; for pretty much your exact reasons. My mother has always been supportive. I'm 37 now, and still feel the same way; actually it's worse because the dreamy "happily ever after" version of parenthood has been replaced by reality. Don't let anyone pressure you and remember you are NOT alone! Plenty of CF's all over the world.
Load More Replies... Personally, I want children. One day. But what pissess me off is when people tell me, I owe it to my parents to have them. And that I'm being disrespectful by not having children, since they've had me. I don't quite remember asking them to?
I'd say I owe my parents their care...and I'd feel terrible not taking care of them in the future when/if they need me to. But having children isn't anyone else's business but yours (and your partner).
Load More Replies...
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