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40 Memes About Being Childless In Response To People Not Accepting That This Is A Free Choice
The romantic notion of owning a white picket fence house and raising several rambunctious rosy-cheeked kids is something that intuitively appeals to me. However, far from everybody has the same dreams that I do — and to each their own.
There are more and more people out there who reject the standard family narrative and firmly believe that not having kids is the way to go. When faced with criticism or disdain, they reply not with anger or excuses but with funny memes. And who here doesn’t like a good meme or two?
Bored Panda has hand-picked the very best memes made by people who don’t want to have kids, all for your entertainment. Whatever side of the (white picket) fence you’re on, regarding the topic of having children, I hope that you’ll enjoy the jokes. So scroll down, upvote your favorite memes, and tell us in the comments which ones made you laugh the loudest. When you’re all done with this article, why not have a glance at Bored Panda’s other hilarious list about people who prefer pets over kids, as well as our post about older people and whether or not they regret not having had kids.
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The memes mostly center around the idea that those people whose life choices includes no kids, because they enjoy having more freedom and money. They also poke fun of the fact that society keeps pressuring them to have children who are a huge responsibility to take care of and expensive to raise.
The New York Times determined the reasons why more people are opting out of having more kids. The 2018 survey conducted by Morning Consult shows that the number one reason why people are having fewer children than their ideal number is money. Or rather, a lack of money. 64% of respondents said that childcare is too expensive. 54% also mentioned wanting to spend more time with the kids they already have; 49% were worried about the economy; and 44% can’t afford more children.
One of my back-up career plans is opening a bakery. 100% would spend a few dozens of dollars to have this sign ordered in a personified, metal, "Nostalgic Art" style version. I would then nail it to the front door. No, even better. I'd have a sign reading: "Dear parents, you are responsible for your children's and your dogs' behaviour, as well as your own. If you disrupt the pleasant quiet atmosphere in any way, you'd be kindly asked to leave. The Staff."
Meanwhile, it’s a fact that birth and fertility rates in the world are plummeting. Our World in Data has revealed the shocking fact that the global fertility rate has halved in the last half-a-century: up until 1965, on average, every woman in the world had more than 5 children; now the average woman has fewer than 2.5 kids.
According to the BBC, lower fertility rates are found in “more economically developed countries”, such as the United States, Australia, South Korea and most countries in Europe. The World Population Review has found that in 2019 the highest fertility rates are in Niger (an average of 6.95 children per woman) and Somalia (6.12 kids); the lowest rates are in South Korea (1.11 kids) and Taiwan (1.15 kids).
Well, the cat ain't gonna walk itself... but it WILL try to get out of that pram if it gets stressed. Watch out.
I thought people would stop telling me "OH BUT YOU'RE SO YOUNG AND MIGHT CHANGE YOUR MIND" once I turned 30. I'm 36 now. Still hear it all the time.
I'm 56 and I STILL get people telling me I'll be "sorry" one day. My response is, "I'm retired, idiot... you'll be working 20 years from now."
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Even my gyno! I'm 42, husband and I are childless by choice & he refuses to perform a tubal ligation and wants me to stay on the pill.
You are 100 percent correct! If people are taking a liberty with offering advice, they should also assume financial responsibility of the outcome. Damn middle aged people! They're even worse than having kids!
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I am old, and can look back on a life filled with kids - my own and the grandchildren - and I will tell you this: If I ever get my time over again, I will NOT have kids.
I am 40 now and can tell you it IS possible to NOT wanting kids. I like them and such. I just don't want to be a mommy.
Honest up GOD I'm 51 now but until I was in my MID 40s (?!!?!), when I would tell people I'd happily never been married nor had kids, so many would smile knowingly and say, "Oh, you'll change your mind." Uhhhh, no honey, if you knew the strength and conviction of my mind you'd be too scared to speak to me again. Run away now.
This is why dr.s refuse to remove someones uterus who has dibilitating peroids and has lost many jobs because of attendance problems..."because you may want kids some day". How the hell am I going to be able to support kids if I cant keep a job?
I still hear it. At 49? H*LLS NO! I have a mortgage and school loans that never seem to go down. No way worrying about the cost of raising a kid and college. Way too close to retirement.
The thing is - there are these pesky things called hormones. I never wanted kids, really didn't. Mit/late thirties and BAMMMMMM, my f*cking hormones go into overdrive and I am getting a child-wish that drives me bananas. Eventually, I got a puppy, that helped somewhat. Now, near menopause, my hormones have shut up and I have my peace again. But for about ten years it was just insane.
I think that happens whether you say you want them or you don't want them. The previous generation and other people butting in to things that are none of their business and by their decision. I've seen people told they must have kids when they didn't want them. Likewise, we had a close relative repeatedly tell us not not ever, ever have kids. Ha ha...we are expecting our fourth and this person will never be involved in their lives or in ours (for other reasons, but still...eating their words now)
This needs to be higher! People keep telling me this! "Ohhh, don't worry, you'll change your mind!" 🙄🙄🙄 33 and still haven't changed my mind!
Unless you're middle-aged when you say it. Then a wise elderly person will tell you that's a smart view.
my dad keeps saying that he thought the same thing. but he forgets that one of his kids is ugly AF and doesn't need to worry about birth control.
A bit different but I have a blood clotting disorder called Von Willebrands and a treatment is cauterisation of the womb. This obviously makes it that you can't carry a baby so they will not do it for a childless woman. I always only wanted one child and I love my son to death. I want my operation but I keep getting fobbed off, despite my son being 7 now! I'm disabled and have mental health problems and my son is autistic, I have enough to deal with, I don't want any more kids. The cauterisation would also serve as a permanent, symptom free contraception. In the meantime, my mood stabilisers have been removed as they can cause birth defects and they can no longer give them to anyone capable of getting pregnant and I'm nuts as hell. I'm 36 now and I just keep wondering, how old do I have to be before the medical professionals let me make these decisions about my body? I understand that 20s and 30s women are receiving similar treatment when seeking out sterilisation.
I always said when I was younger I did not want children. I was told I would change my mind, I never did. I am 66 and now people ask me about my grandchildren. When I tell them I don't have children, their response is "I'm so sorry." I look at them and say I'm not. They then look at me like I'm a monster. I have put up with people my entire life telling me "I'm sorry." People need to understand that not all women want children. I am a very loving person and spoil each fur baby I have, whether cat or dog.
Make it permanent. I advocate for a cheap, persecution free sterilization.
I am 65 and retired and I still hear that I will change my mind about not having children!’And that I will regret it! It’s a little late!
Whether you already have kids, want to have children or aren’t planning on having any, what’s important is being happy with your decision and living life with no regrets. And what helps you keep a smile on your face? That’s right. Memes! And lots of them.
I think parenthood should be better controlled. Why is it not illegal to have 8 10 12 kids? The earth has 19 births for every 8 deaths. We're so overpopulated were gonna breed out of existence.
How I feel when asked to look at photos... or gender reveal parties! Please - only the parents really care. The rest of us just like a party.
Cat: *regrets life choices* Also isn't that a lot of kittens for one cat? (EDIT: Yep. I stuffed up there. You guys were right!)
"hooman, why are you acting like that?" lol, the dog's face looks horrified
Read 'Childfree and Loving It' by Nicki Defago. There are many parents who regret it but say nothing. She let people contact her anonymously with their stories as people are often too ashamed to admit that they wish they had never had children.
sometimes I go through the baby isle to feel smug over all the s**t I don't have to buy
If you want people to respect your choice, you have to respect other people’s choice.
Note: this post originally had 67 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
Whether you have no kids, one kid or 5 kids etc. It is no one else’s business. It does not mean that someone’s life is more fulfilling as the other, it just means their lives are different and fulfilling in different ways.
And the weird part is that it's literally impossible to know what it's like any other way so you may as well enjoy the choices you've made.
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I genuinely don't understand this seemingly reflexive need to justify one's decisions by mocking the decisions of others. I always knee that I wanted to be a wife and mother, because I come from a big, happy family and had a wonderful mother who set a beautiful example for me. I also wanted to be a pirate and psychologist. While the wife part turned out to be a disaster - more due to my awful partner choosing abilities than anything else - I am a happy, proud mother of two boys, both of whom were planned, with a degree in forensic psychology and a thriving fencing instruction business. I am happy with my choices and their results. That being said, I constantly get asked "are you going to try for a girl?" Despite having lost my daughter at birth and being almost 40. If you have made a choice that enhances your life and makes you happy, screw the expectations of others! Ignore s****y attitudes and try as much as possible to not absorb their snarkiness into yourself. Using the crappiness of others to reationalize being crappy yourself is awful and ridiculous. For what it is worth, I celebrate all of you - so many I differ with philosophically but still look forward to reading your comments! Be happy, Pandas!
I couldn't agree more, I can't stand the smarmy snark from childless people anymore than I can stand the "you'll regret it" mentality from some parents. Why can't we all just appreciate that we each have different paths and that either is just as valid as the other? I'm 37 and childless and apparently I'm lucky in the sense that I've not had ONE SINGLE PERSON question me when I tell them I don't have kids. I've gotten zero pressure from anyone about not having kids (ok, maybe a bit from my mom but she's grandbaby crazy lol). My sister has 6, three natural, three adopted and I'm incredibly proud of all the work her and her husband put into their family, but I'm happy t just being an aunt :)
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I'm more and more under the impression that very few parents really actively made the decision to have kids after thinking it through thoroughly. Most parents... (1) get pregnant by accident and feel obliged to follow through. (2) just do what most people do without considering making life choices of their own. (3) bow to their spouse. (4) see kids as kind of a status symbol, something you have to have in order to live a "proper life".
I agree, I got engaged years ago because that seemed to be the next step for us, but I was just going along with what everyone else was doing. the deal breaker was that he wanted kids and I didnt, so we ended it there. He is happy with a family now and I live in england with a wonderful husband and we are child free, happy days ..xx
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It is and should be everybodys own choice. I have 2 lovely girls and would not change my situation for the world- I love them to bits. But also being a parent can be very difficult and certainly expensive. I can understand very well people that don't want kids. And the worst possible reason to choose having kids is somehow feeling pressured by society or religion or family. My inlaws used to push the having kids subject so often we got really tired of it and walked out of a family dinner once. Just respect each others choices.
I cannot upvote this enough! It really depends on the person.
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At least half of these comments are as a response to ill-mannered, misbehaving children with unempathetic parents. Not all kids are bad. In my family, no one would dare to throw a super-market tantrum. So even though I am an entitled millinial who loves dogs and owns her own home....I can risk having kids.
I've got a child and it's not as bad as the memes make it out to be just saying
Ah, yes, but hopefully you would feel that way. Oxytocin kicks in (for most) when a baby comes along. Good dollop of a hormone to ensure you want to take care of this strange creature!! I have a nephew and he's wonderful and I loved looking after him thoughout all the stages of his childhood but it made me very, very sure that I didn't want to have one of my own. I also used to volunteer to look after the tinies when I was at school and I had a lot of children in my life - from choice. My friends had children and I spent a lot of time with them - all are lovely. I do have one friend who really did regret having children - she loves her daughter but it isn't at all what she thought it would be. Anyway, for me, all the exposure i had to children really made me sure that I didn't want to have them in my life full time.
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Kids or no kids, it's none of my business. However I don't understand the concern over low birthrates. It's not like humans are an endangered species.
An aging poplulation makes it harder for workers who have to support them. That's why countries have to bring in a lot of immigrants to take the place of the native population declining. Low birthrates doesn't mean less people, it just means less native people and more foreign people.
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Exactly. I pretend to dislike children in the hope my family will shut up about me not having them.
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I don't have any kids and never wanted to. I have an 11 year old nephew who told me he'll take care of me when I'm old so I guess I'm good.
All of my life, from a young age I never wanted children. People keep saying you'll change your mind. I never have and no one I know who insisted they do not want kids at a young age has changed their mind.
I have. I never wanted kids before I got pregnant. Perhaps it was the raging hormones that changed my mind, but I did. I absolutely love being a mom and I adore my kids. But that is my choice - I would never force it on someone else. But people change and so do their convictions. And for some they don't and both are just fine.
Load More Replies... To be fair, you can have zero kids and still be broke AF. But this post really made me laugh. And for everyone saying "having/not having kids is no one's business but yours", have you observed other cultures? Have you had a Mexican mom coming at you with a chancla? Not everyone should have/wants kids - can we normalize that already?
How is socially acceptable to hate kids? If you change the word 'kids' to any other social cathegory you are a bad person, in the first step for a hate crime (you know what I mean, rasist, homophobe, antisemitic, fascist etc.). You tell that you hate kids and nobody bats an eye (meme #3 and sone comments).
@Mewton's Third Paw: Stop it! Stop pretending that children are another species, they are humans. Stop demonizing them! Children and animals? Really? They are the same category for you? You are talking about personality...., yeah, the little ones don't have any. Personality just appears at age 18 as a miracle...
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Just tell me, why, Boredpanda, why?Why so many “I am so proud I don’t have kids” posts lately? Could we please have a post about kids being great for a change? As much as the childless feel offended when asked about having kids, I feel quite offended by these oh-so-happy-childless posts. Moreover, considering perhaps 90% of these very proud and very convinced childless are probably in their early 20s or younger and most probably will change their mind, because this is just how the life goes and works. I was like that, too; wanting to focus on my career, travel, have free time. You know what? I still have my career (I’m a head and neck surgeon), we do still travel and spending my free time has become much more interesting with my 2yo. Good for me, right? Now lets please have the “happy parent” post.
I agree that there should be all kinds of posts, however I disagree with suggesting that 90% of voluntarily childless people change their mind after their early 20s. (This is exactly the attitude that triggered some of those memes you found offensive). I am 37, never wanted kids, never will have kids. There are no statistics on how many people are like me, so let's not make them up, and let everyone choose their life path with or without kids.
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We might have had a kid. But on his mom's side, 11 of the siblings died of cancer, one drank himself to death. On his dad's side, dementia for 3 generation. Due to cervical cancer from lack of medical treatment in the military, if I got pregnant, odds are I would lose the pregnancy, or bleed to death without a c section. Add to it our current medical problems, and, well, yay. Sad that he was an only child, but that's how it goes sometimes.
These are the reasons why I hate when some people insist on why you should have kids, and they do so as if they're morally superior. Thank God, I'm fine, but what if I lost the child I was waiting, what if I were a womb cancer survivor, what if I were raped? Those are things that no random stranger needs to know, and such a person might not want to cry in front of such a judgemental a-hole. I mean, if one is curious, one can ask, sure, but if the answer is a "no", then the conversation needs to stop there. Or choose a different topic.
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It's no one's business if other people have kids or not...unless you're the potential grandparent. We're forgetting that there IS a biological drive to reproduce. I never thought I'd be one of those people pestering their kid to have kids. In fact, I'm not, but I could easily be. My son has announced he plans to never have kids. I fully respect his decision, understand it, and won't pester him about it. Here's a fun fact for you younger folks: That has changed my outlook on life drastically and permanently. If you don't understand why, you're just as clueless as those who pester people to have kids when they don't want to.
even if you are the potential grandparent, it still none of your business.
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I don't want kids. I babysat my neighbors' kids enough to know they are evil spawns of Satan himself.
Gee what's with the down votes? I'm a parent and I think that's funny.
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I never wanted children. Ever. Then I had to take and raise my nephew when he was about 4. He's now 20. The thought of him brings tears to my eyes, but he did not inspire me to WANT to have children. My co-worker, on the other hand, has only ever wanted children. Her marriage, not strong before adding a child (why you would have a kid in that situation is beyond me), is miserable in her marriage, but has a child she adores.
TO BLAVE: I also had to care for my nephews when I had to turn in my sister into CPS for severe negligence. (Drugs, leaving them days on end with no food-long, long story) I didn't want them going into the system. Hardest 2 years of my life and I knew before then that I didn't want kids; that cement it.
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Is this really a thing? Or is it an American thing? Are people really bothered if you don't want kids?
All the time! Many adults around me must really grow up mentally! I feel like we are living in some old traditional society with old traditional understandings. Men must work, women must stay at home and look after 6 children and if you haven't married by 26, you are some kind of a loser. Honestly, world is changing, how come the majority always fails to move on?
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I'll be 67 on my next birthday. Never had kids and don't regret it. I do have a dog (who's also an old fart), but he's a dog. He's not a surrogate child.
What I hate more than anything is people who say "you'll feel differently after you have kids". A former friend said this to me and I finally told her to just freaking stop. I don't want kids. I don't like kids. Sure, if I ever have one, I'll love them, but I can guarantee you I still won't like other peoples' children. I hate screaming (even if it's a screamy-laugh that babies do), crying, general noise, and I will never think it's cute. I won't post photos of my kids on social media every damn day because I'm a private person and nothing will change that. People who act like they know better and get all smug about it p**s me off. I know my own mind and I feel very firmly about certain things. Having a crotch fruit will NOT change it. If you feel the need to be supermom, go ahead, that's great. But I know what I want for my life too. Please don't expect others to feel the same way about children - some of us just don't like them and tbh, we shouldn't feel obligated to pretend we do.
I will ruin this body on my own terms! But seriously, I've known since I was little I had no desire to have children. I don't dislike kids, I'd just rather have a dog.
We're still using that stereotype? That your body is forever ruined by pregnancy?
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All of the downvotes on the childfree people make me laugh. You can downvote all you want but it won't change their minds or lives. Some of you parents are just salty because you don't understand other people. You live in your own little world and you think your child is the most intelligent/beautiful/whatever in the world, when most likely it's not. It's just the same ""ME,ME,ME " selfish attitude you complain about childfree folks, just with mini-me's. You think it's the most marvelous thing in the world too have children. How about creating a life-saving robot, exploring space yourself, and many wonders of the world. If you limit your experiences to just have children and saying you don't need anything else, near death the regrets will come as an avalanche. Just don't c**p on childfree and make them feel bad. Not all parents are like this,but some are nasty people that raise nasty kids. I will be childfree for the rest of my life and you or anybody else will have a say about this.
Let's be honest. Those downvotes are coming from bitterly disappointed, unhappy people who deeply regret having kids, and they're lashing out because they're envious of the child-free people's freedom and happiness, and feel it's being rubbed in their faces.
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Wow. Some really defensive posts on here, predominantly from parents now getting a taste of their own medicine. For the record... Parents totally judge those without children, so frankly this is just evening the score a little. Just a couple of generation's ago, society regarded a couple as "odd" or suspected they might be unable to conceive if they didn't have kids by their mid-thirties. Both my parents and in-laws chose (their words) to live a little and enjoy freedom before having kids. But that came at the cost of barbed remarks from family and friends. Those who cannot or choose not to have kids have had to tolerate some real s**t for far to long. So yeah, I don't feel ANY guilt or embarrassment at being able to do what the hell I want, when I want, how I want. And rolling my eyes out loud when my friends say, "don't get me wrong. I love my kids. I'd die for them. It was the best thing I ever did..." And then changing the subject before they finish the sentence with, "but..."
Not sure I agree here. I am a parent and I love being a parent, but I do not in anyway judge people that choose not to have children. That is nobodys choice but their own. And I hate it either way when people look down or someone elses lige choices. Mind your own business. My friendgroup is equally divided between people with and people without kids and having kids or not is actually never a topic of discussion. I can relate though to your last sentence, there are things you can't do or do less of when you have kids - like going clubbing or traveling. On the other hand I can as an adult totally legitimately spend the entire day building cushion forts or sandcastles. Gotta love that.
Load More Replies... Some of these people must have had bad childhoods. They're really projecting.
Don't forget that "kids" are whole, complete human beings who deserve respect too.
I’m 18 and I have a daughter. She’s so cute but damn I wish I could just be a normal girl ughhh
I think everyone should have kids, unless, of course, they don't want them. Oh, and if they don't, not my business.
I had one son. I am so glad I did, but that’s all I needed. He has several and I am about to become a great grandmother for the second time. Love it! BUUUTTT, my mother thought she didn’t have a choice in having kids. We ALL have a choice now. Be sure you make the right one.
I applaud the people who know in advance that they don’t want kids and don't have them. Don’t be forced by family & society to bring a new human being into the world. Not everyone wants or should be a parent and that is their decision. I have 3 kids because I always knew I wanted kids—same with my husband as he always wanted kids too. That being said, do I dislike other people’s kids? Hells yeah. Parents can’t stand other people’s kids especially if they are ill behaved in public places. It gives a bad name to people who actually parent their kids. I don’t want someone else’s boogery, sticky kid getting in my face (in a store or waiting room)... it happens A LOT. I also don’t want someone’s stinky dog shoved in my face either. There are plenty of crappy dog owners who let their “fur babies” poo on other people’s lawns or they insist on bringing their dogs EVERYWHERE (restaurants, grocery stores, malls & places that are inappropriate for pets).
Some of these are funny. I chose not to have kids and I am so sick of people assuming it's: 1) Because I must hate kids. Totally untrue. I love kids, I work with kids. I just love being able to send them home at the end of the day. Or, 2) I'm afraid I will abuse or mistreat my kids because of of mental issues/depression/my parents abused me/etc. Also untrue. I am not a deranged lunatic; I have never mistreated anyone. To be quite honest, I'm actually not keen on the idea of being pregnant. I'm open to the idea of adoption, but I might never do that.
It doesnt matter if you want/have kids or not. Its still your choice. If its your choice not to have kids doesnt equal you being carefree the rest of your life (you still have you, your job, relationships, friends... life). And having kids doesnt equal you will be miserable the rest of your life. Life goes up and down no matter what you do, and either way your life is yours and no one elses. I don't judge either way. There are times when i feel i'm not cut out to be a parent (i have two kids). I would never regret them, but it can be a struggle - yes. But i'm also 100% sure i wouldnt find life easy without them. Life, in itself, is hard.
Love kids? Have some. Hate kids? Don't have any. Either way, do NOT preach to others. You don't know someone else's struggles, or reasons for their decisions.
Impressive. The downvoting-brigade has swept through, it looks like they have been downvoting everything rather uniformly. What triggers them so much about some people not wanting to become parents? The thread is full of humour, why be so threatened by it?
Im guessing they are super in denile about how much they hate being so tied down that they need to put everybody else down to feel better. I have a kid and I totally agree with this post and will straight up say that I am JEEEELLLOUUSSS lol when people ask me when baby #2 is coming and I say never, omg it turns into like a half hour convo of them saying "aww you say that now but just you waittt you wont be ablw to resist" and Im just like WHY THE FUDGE is the concept of having zero or only 1 child sooo damn bizarre to people?? Do people have NO other aspirations in life other than breeding?? My god
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BEST POST EVER! :) Finaly! Fashion for not having children! There are 8000000000 of parasites on the Earth already. That's enought! Smart people get it.
I'm a 15-year-old, and every time I tell even my parents, they be like "You're so young, you'll change your mind, you'll find a nice man and settle down and you'll enjoy being a parent!" and externally, I be like, "Sorry but broadway doesn't allow that kind of commitment." and internally, I be like, "ha jokes on you I'm GAYY"
It isn't parent shaming. Some people are being overly sensitive. It is just a collection of memes that are funny and a bit of a light relief for those of us who are constantly badgered to have children. There are posts that show the joys of parenting too. Why are you so bothered by it? If you are happy with the choices you have made you should just be secure in them and shrug this off. Other people are saying 'I'm a parent but I laughed at this'. Why is it upsetting you? Be at peace and let others be as well.
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I can understand why having children is a standard. Especially countries in Asia they expect children to take care of their parents when they get older. Also the more children in the family, the more income they can make.
I had two, but people were constantly surprised by the fact I didn't really care for other people's kids. I used to explain, "That's because I can beat mine". The look on their faces was so worth it.
Just tell them you can't have them, watch people back pedal and apologise super fast 😂
That’s fine if more and more people don’t want kids. Eventually means more resources for my offspring and their offspring etc. The US hasn’t been at the replacement fertility rate of 2.1 since 1978. This lack of a innate desire for their evolutionary fitness will mean their doom and my lineages success.
Feel the same way, I just hope my wee one want kids too.
Load More Replies... Looks like some folks here believe there are no consequences for regret. That, or the mommy brigade just downvotes anyone childfree.
Why did you even click on this post if you were just going to troll it.
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I agree that pets are not children, and I personally would never call my animals my children. However, I do not understand why people who have children always warn me (who will never have kids) about old age? Having children does not guarantee any of them will take care of you when you are older. And not having children does not mean one will be lonely and miserable in old age! I plan to have a fabulous life, full of meaning and purpose, even though my body will never give birth to a small human.
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Young women are constantly bombarded by messages that having a child is 'what you do' and you 'won't be whole without one'. This doesn't even come close to redressing the balance one tiny bit. FFS - even Penny in bloody The Big Bang Theory had to be made pregnant for her version of a 'happy ending'. Always, the happy ending is the woman getting pregnant! NO, not for all it isn't. My MIL desperately wanted to be a grandma and I got asked 'when are you going to have a baby' by ALL of the family, our friends - even people I barely knew kept asking! It's infuriating and I had no choice but to deal with it. You did have a choice though - you didn't need to read this post. Why if you are going to be so easily triggered by a few memes? God forbid we might make a few jokes about how some of us prefer our childfree lives. I'm glad there are people that want children but people like you are so intolerant. YOU get off the planet or keep your opinions to yourself.
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What the actual f**k? Huh.... listen dear. I'm chilfree, I'm not solely focusing on my career, I work normally to earn money to be able to have some hobbies. I have two rabbits but they don't "replace" human connection. I hang out with family and friends often. I don't see how I'm selfish for not putting a life in this world that I wouldn't want in the first place. I'm not like people having children and hoping they will have a "meaning" in their lives out of it. I volunteer at animal shelter and worked 3 years to help children with difficulties so I hardly see how it is 'selfish''. When you have a child, you give all your attention to it. I want my attention to be given to more children that need help and more persons too. I'm an extrovert and love to travel and meet people from different cultures and learn from them too. I don't see how not wanting children is immaturity. People can aspire to more than answering to a basic reproduction instinct. Besides, the planet has enough people.
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Yes, people with children have something more than I do. They have children. Which I don't want and never will have. So I am not missing anything... I can't miss out on an experience I didn't want in the first place. I am happy if you are happy with your kids. But this attitude is not great.
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It’s not necessarily about money, but about experiences like holidays, cars, partying, going out whenever they want etc. And you do need money for those things.
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Erika? You need to calm down. I am happy that YOU are happy with your children. You know what makes me happy? Parents who are happy with their kids and love them, through thick and thin. And you what distresses me? Folks having kids who didn't really want them and then take out their frustrations on the poor kid. There is no 'best' choice. There is only making the best choice for yourself. Very simple.
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See, that kind of commentary is the reason people without kids don't like people with kids. This is a choice and has nothing to do with being afraid. Or would you say you are afraid of taking up the responsibility of caring only for yourself?
Load More Replies... Whether you have no kids, one kid or 5 kids etc. It is no one else’s business. It does not mean that someone’s life is more fulfilling as the other, it just means their lives are different and fulfilling in different ways.
And the weird part is that it's literally impossible to know what it's like any other way so you may as well enjoy the choices you've made.
Load More Replies... I genuinely don't understand this seemingly reflexive need to justify one's decisions by mocking the decisions of others. I always knee that I wanted to be a wife and mother, because I come from a big, happy family and had a wonderful mother who set a beautiful example for me. I also wanted to be a pirate and psychologist. While the wife part turned out to be a disaster - more due to my awful partner choosing abilities than anything else - I am a happy, proud mother of two boys, both of whom were planned, with a degree in forensic psychology and a thriving fencing instruction business. I am happy with my choices and their results. That being said, I constantly get asked "are you going to try for a girl?" Despite having lost my daughter at birth and being almost 40. If you have made a choice that enhances your life and makes you happy, screw the expectations of others! Ignore s****y attitudes and try as much as possible to not absorb their snarkiness into yourself. Using the crappiness of others to reationalize being crappy yourself is awful and ridiculous. For what it is worth, I celebrate all of you - so many I differ with philosophically but still look forward to reading your comments! Be happy, Pandas!
I couldn't agree more, I can't stand the smarmy snark from childless people anymore than I can stand the "you'll regret it" mentality from some parents. Why can't we all just appreciate that we each have different paths and that either is just as valid as the other? I'm 37 and childless and apparently I'm lucky in the sense that I've not had ONE SINGLE PERSON question me when I tell them I don't have kids. I've gotten zero pressure from anyone about not having kids (ok, maybe a bit from my mom but she's grandbaby crazy lol). My sister has 6, three natural, three adopted and I'm incredibly proud of all the work her and her husband put into their family, but I'm happy t just being an aunt :)
Load More Replies... I'm more and more under the impression that very few parents really actively made the decision to have kids after thinking it through thoroughly. Most parents... (1) get pregnant by accident and feel obliged to follow through. (2) just do what most people do without considering making life choices of their own. (3) bow to their spouse. (4) see kids as kind of a status symbol, something you have to have in order to live a "proper life".
I agree, I got engaged years ago because that seemed to be the next step for us, but I was just going along with what everyone else was doing. the deal breaker was that he wanted kids and I didnt, so we ended it there. He is happy with a family now and I live in england with a wonderful husband and we are child free, happy days ..xx
Load More Replies... It is and should be everybodys own choice. I have 2 lovely girls and would not change my situation for the world- I love them to bits. But also being a parent can be very difficult and certainly expensive. I can understand very well people that don't want kids. And the worst possible reason to choose having kids is somehow feeling pressured by society or religion or family. My inlaws used to push the having kids subject so often we got really tired of it and walked out of a family dinner once. Just respect each others choices.
I cannot upvote this enough! It really depends on the person.
Load More Replies... At least half of these comments are as a response to ill-mannered, misbehaving children with unempathetic parents. Not all kids are bad. In my family, no one would dare to throw a super-market tantrum. So even though I am an entitled millinial who loves dogs and owns her own home....I can risk having kids.
I've got a child and it's not as bad as the memes make it out to be just saying
Ah, yes, but hopefully you would feel that way. Oxytocin kicks in (for most) when a baby comes along. Good dollop of a hormone to ensure you want to take care of this strange creature!! I have a nephew and he's wonderful and I loved looking after him thoughout all the stages of his childhood but it made me very, very sure that I didn't want to have one of my own. I also used to volunteer to look after the tinies when I was at school and I had a lot of children in my life - from choice. My friends had children and I spent a lot of time with them - all are lovely. I do have one friend who really did regret having children - she loves her daughter but it isn't at all what she thought it would be. Anyway, for me, all the exposure i had to children really made me sure that I didn't want to have them in my life full time.
Load More Replies... Kids or no kids, it's none of my business. However I don't understand the concern over low birthrates. It's not like humans are an endangered species.
An aging poplulation makes it harder for workers who have to support them. That's why countries have to bring in a lot of immigrants to take the place of the native population declining. Low birthrates doesn't mean less people, it just means less native people and more foreign people.
Load More Replies... Exactly. I pretend to dislike children in the hope my family will shut up about me not having them.
Load More Replies... I don't have any kids and never wanted to. I have an 11 year old nephew who told me he'll take care of me when I'm old so I guess I'm good.
All of my life, from a young age I never wanted children. People keep saying you'll change your mind. I never have and no one I know who insisted they do not want kids at a young age has changed their mind.
I have. I never wanted kids before I got pregnant. Perhaps it was the raging hormones that changed my mind, but I did. I absolutely love being a mom and I adore my kids. But that is my choice - I would never force it on someone else. But people change and so do their convictions. And for some they don't and both are just fine.
Load More Replies... To be fair, you can have zero kids and still be broke AF. But this post really made me laugh. And for everyone saying "having/not having kids is no one's business but yours", have you observed other cultures? Have you had a Mexican mom coming at you with a chancla? Not everyone should have/wants kids - can we normalize that already?
How is socially acceptable to hate kids? If you change the word 'kids' to any other social cathegory you are a bad person, in the first step for a hate crime (you know what I mean, rasist, homophobe, antisemitic, fascist etc.). You tell that you hate kids and nobody bats an eye (meme #3 and sone comments).
@Mewton's Third Paw: Stop it! Stop pretending that children are another species, they are humans. Stop demonizing them! Children and animals? Really? They are the same category for you? You are talking about personality...., yeah, the little ones don't have any. Personality just appears at age 18 as a miracle...
Load More Replies... Just tell me, why, Boredpanda, why?Why so many “I am so proud I don’t have kids” posts lately? Could we please have a post about kids being great for a change? As much as the childless feel offended when asked about having kids, I feel quite offended by these oh-so-happy-childless posts. Moreover, considering perhaps 90% of these very proud and very convinced childless are probably in their early 20s or younger and most probably will change their mind, because this is just how the life goes and works. I was like that, too; wanting to focus on my career, travel, have free time. You know what? I still have my career (I’m a head and neck surgeon), we do still travel and spending my free time has become much more interesting with my 2yo. Good for me, right? Now lets please have the “happy parent” post.
I agree that there should be all kinds of posts, however I disagree with suggesting that 90% of voluntarily childless people change their mind after their early 20s. (This is exactly the attitude that triggered some of those memes you found offensive). I am 37, never wanted kids, never will have kids. There are no statistics on how many people are like me, so let's not make them up, and let everyone choose their life path with or without kids.
Load More Replies... We might have had a kid. But on his mom's side, 11 of the siblings died of cancer, one drank himself to death. On his dad's side, dementia for 3 generation. Due to cervical cancer from lack of medical treatment in the military, if I got pregnant, odds are I would lose the pregnancy, or bleed to death without a c section. Add to it our current medical problems, and, well, yay. Sad that he was an only child, but that's how it goes sometimes.
These are the reasons why I hate when some people insist on why you should have kids, and they do so as if they're morally superior. Thank God, I'm fine, but what if I lost the child I was waiting, what if I were a womb cancer survivor, what if I were raped? Those are things that no random stranger needs to know, and such a person might not want to cry in front of such a judgemental a-hole. I mean, if one is curious, one can ask, sure, but if the answer is a "no", then the conversation needs to stop there. Or choose a different topic.
Load More Replies... It's no one's business if other people have kids or not...unless you're the potential grandparent. We're forgetting that there IS a biological drive to reproduce. I never thought I'd be one of those people pestering their kid to have kids. In fact, I'm not, but I could easily be. My son has announced he plans to never have kids. I fully respect his decision, understand it, and won't pester him about it. Here's a fun fact for you younger folks: That has changed my outlook on life drastically and permanently. If you don't understand why, you're just as clueless as those who pester people to have kids when they don't want to.
even if you are the potential grandparent, it still none of your business.
Load More Replies... I don't want kids. I babysat my neighbors' kids enough to know they are evil spawns of Satan himself.
Gee what's with the down votes? I'm a parent and I think that's funny.
Load More Replies... I never wanted children. Ever. Then I had to take and raise my nephew when he was about 4. He's now 20. The thought of him brings tears to my eyes, but he did not inspire me to WANT to have children. My co-worker, on the other hand, has only ever wanted children. Her marriage, not strong before adding a child (why you would have a kid in that situation is beyond me), is miserable in her marriage, but has a child she adores.
TO BLAVE: I also had to care for my nephews when I had to turn in my sister into CPS for severe negligence. (Drugs, leaving them days on end with no food-long, long story) I didn't want them going into the system. Hardest 2 years of my life and I knew before then that I didn't want kids; that cement it.
Load More Replies... Is this really a thing? Or is it an American thing? Are people really bothered if you don't want kids?
All the time! Many adults around me must really grow up mentally! I feel like we are living in some old traditional society with old traditional understandings. Men must work, women must stay at home and look after 6 children and if you haven't married by 26, you are some kind of a loser. Honestly, world is changing, how come the majority always fails to move on?
Load More Replies... I'll be 67 on my next birthday. Never had kids and don't regret it. I do have a dog (who's also an old fart), but he's a dog. He's not a surrogate child.
What I hate more than anything is people who say "you'll feel differently after you have kids". A former friend said this to me and I finally told her to just freaking stop. I don't want kids. I don't like kids. Sure, if I ever have one, I'll love them, but I can guarantee you I still won't like other peoples' children. I hate screaming (even if it's a screamy-laugh that babies do), crying, general noise, and I will never think it's cute. I won't post photos of my kids on social media every damn day because I'm a private person and nothing will change that. People who act like they know better and get all smug about it p**s me off. I know my own mind and I feel very firmly about certain things. Having a crotch fruit will NOT change it. If you feel the need to be supermom, go ahead, that's great. But I know what I want for my life too. Please don't expect others to feel the same way about children - some of us just don't like them and tbh, we shouldn't feel obligated to pretend we do.
I will ruin this body on my own terms! But seriously, I've known since I was little I had no desire to have children. I don't dislike kids, I'd just rather have a dog.
We're still using that stereotype? That your body is forever ruined by pregnancy?
Load More Replies... All of the downvotes on the childfree people make me laugh. You can downvote all you want but it won't change their minds or lives. Some of you parents are just salty because you don't understand other people. You live in your own little world and you think your child is the most intelligent/beautiful/whatever in the world, when most likely it's not. It's just the same ""ME,ME,ME " selfish attitude you complain about childfree folks, just with mini-me's. You think it's the most marvelous thing in the world too have children. How about creating a life-saving robot, exploring space yourself, and many wonders of the world. If you limit your experiences to just have children and saying you don't need anything else, near death the regrets will come as an avalanche. Just don't c**p on childfree and make them feel bad. Not all parents are like this,but some are nasty people that raise nasty kids. I will be childfree for the rest of my life and you or anybody else will have a say about this.
Let's be honest. Those downvotes are coming from bitterly disappointed, unhappy people who deeply regret having kids, and they're lashing out because they're envious of the child-free people's freedom and happiness, and feel it's being rubbed in their faces.
Load More Replies... Wow. Some really defensive posts on here, predominantly from parents now getting a taste of their own medicine. For the record... Parents totally judge those without children, so frankly this is just evening the score a little. Just a couple of generation's ago, society regarded a couple as "odd" or suspected they might be unable to conceive if they didn't have kids by their mid-thirties. Both my parents and in-laws chose (their words) to live a little and enjoy freedom before having kids. But that came at the cost of barbed remarks from family and friends. Those who cannot or choose not to have kids have had to tolerate some real s**t for far to long. So yeah, I don't feel ANY guilt or embarrassment at being able to do what the hell I want, when I want, how I want. And rolling my eyes out loud when my friends say, "don't get me wrong. I love my kids. I'd die for them. It was the best thing I ever did..." And then changing the subject before they finish the sentence with, "but..."
Not sure I agree here. I am a parent and I love being a parent, but I do not in anyway judge people that choose not to have children. That is nobodys choice but their own. And I hate it either way when people look down or someone elses lige choices. Mind your own business. My friendgroup is equally divided between people with and people without kids and having kids or not is actually never a topic of discussion. I can relate though to your last sentence, there are things you can't do or do less of when you have kids - like going clubbing or traveling. On the other hand I can as an adult totally legitimately spend the entire day building cushion forts or sandcastles. Gotta love that.
Load More Replies... Some of these people must have had bad childhoods. They're really projecting.
Don't forget that "kids" are whole, complete human beings who deserve respect too.
I’m 18 and I have a daughter. She’s so cute but damn I wish I could just be a normal girl ughhh
I think everyone should have kids, unless, of course, they don't want them. Oh, and if they don't, not my business.
I had one son. I am so glad I did, but that’s all I needed. He has several and I am about to become a great grandmother for the second time. Love it! BUUUTTT, my mother thought she didn’t have a choice in having kids. We ALL have a choice now. Be sure you make the right one.
I applaud the people who know in advance that they don’t want kids and don't have them. Don’t be forced by family & society to bring a new human being into the world. Not everyone wants or should be a parent and that is their decision. I have 3 kids because I always knew I wanted kids—same with my husband as he always wanted kids too. That being said, do I dislike other people’s kids? Hells yeah. Parents can’t stand other people’s kids especially if they are ill behaved in public places. It gives a bad name to people who actually parent their kids. I don’t want someone else’s boogery, sticky kid getting in my face (in a store or waiting room)... it happens A LOT. I also don’t want someone’s stinky dog shoved in my face either. There are plenty of crappy dog owners who let their “fur babies” poo on other people’s lawns or they insist on bringing their dogs EVERYWHERE (restaurants, grocery stores, malls & places that are inappropriate for pets).
Some of these are funny. I chose not to have kids and I am so sick of people assuming it's: 1) Because I must hate kids. Totally untrue. I love kids, I work with kids. I just love being able to send them home at the end of the day. Or, 2) I'm afraid I will abuse or mistreat my kids because of of mental issues/depression/my parents abused me/etc. Also untrue. I am not a deranged lunatic; I have never mistreated anyone. To be quite honest, I'm actually not keen on the idea of being pregnant. I'm open to the idea of adoption, but I might never do that.
It doesnt matter if you want/have kids or not. Its still your choice. If its your choice not to have kids doesnt equal you being carefree the rest of your life (you still have you, your job, relationships, friends... life). And having kids doesnt equal you will be miserable the rest of your life. Life goes up and down no matter what you do, and either way your life is yours and no one elses. I don't judge either way. There are times when i feel i'm not cut out to be a parent (i have two kids). I would never regret them, but it can be a struggle - yes. But i'm also 100% sure i wouldnt find life easy without them. Life, in itself, is hard.
Love kids? Have some. Hate kids? Don't have any. Either way, do NOT preach to others. You don't know someone else's struggles, or reasons for their decisions.
Impressive. The downvoting-brigade has swept through, it looks like they have been downvoting everything rather uniformly. What triggers them so much about some people not wanting to become parents? The thread is full of humour, why be so threatened by it?
Im guessing they are super in denile about how much they hate being so tied down that they need to put everybody else down to feel better. I have a kid and I totally agree with this post and will straight up say that I am JEEEELLLOUUSSS lol when people ask me when baby #2 is coming and I say never, omg it turns into like a half hour convo of them saying "aww you say that now but just you waittt you wont be ablw to resist" and Im just like WHY THE FUDGE is the concept of having zero or only 1 child sooo damn bizarre to people?? Do people have NO other aspirations in life other than breeding?? My god
Load More Replies... BEST POST EVER! :) Finaly! Fashion for not having children! There are 8000000000 of parasites on the Earth already. That's enought! Smart people get it.
I'm a 15-year-old, and every time I tell even my parents, they be like "You're so young, you'll change your mind, you'll find a nice man and settle down and you'll enjoy being a parent!" and externally, I be like, "Sorry but broadway doesn't allow that kind of commitment." and internally, I be like, "ha jokes on you I'm GAYY"
It isn't parent shaming. Some people are being overly sensitive. It is just a collection of memes that are funny and a bit of a light relief for those of us who are constantly badgered to have children. There are posts that show the joys of parenting too. Why are you so bothered by it? If you are happy with the choices you have made you should just be secure in them and shrug this off. Other people are saying 'I'm a parent but I laughed at this'. Why is it upsetting you? Be at peace and let others be as well.
Load More Replies... I can understand why having children is a standard. Especially countries in Asia they expect children to take care of their parents when they get older. Also the more children in the family, the more income they can make.
I had two, but people were constantly surprised by the fact I didn't really care for other people's kids. I used to explain, "That's because I can beat mine". The look on their faces was so worth it.
Just tell them you can't have them, watch people back pedal and apologise super fast 😂
That’s fine if more and more people don’t want kids. Eventually means more resources for my offspring and their offspring etc. The US hasn’t been at the replacement fertility rate of 2.1 since 1978. This lack of a innate desire for their evolutionary fitness will mean their doom and my lineages success.
Feel the same way, I just hope my wee one want kids too.
Load More Replies... Looks like some folks here believe there are no consequences for regret. That, or the mommy brigade just downvotes anyone childfree.
Why did you even click on this post if you were just going to troll it.
Load More Replies... I agree that pets are not children, and I personally would never call my animals my children. However, I do not understand why people who have children always warn me (who will never have kids) about old age? Having children does not guarantee any of them will take care of you when you are older. And not having children does not mean one will be lonely and miserable in old age! I plan to have a fabulous life, full of meaning and purpose, even though my body will never give birth to a small human.
Load More Replies... Young women are constantly bombarded by messages that having a child is 'what you do' and you 'won't be whole without one'. This doesn't even come close to redressing the balance one tiny bit. FFS - even Penny in bloody The Big Bang Theory had to be made pregnant for her version of a 'happy ending'. Always, the happy ending is the woman getting pregnant! NO, not for all it isn't. My MIL desperately wanted to be a grandma and I got asked 'when are you going to have a baby' by ALL of the family, our friends - even people I barely knew kept asking! It's infuriating and I had no choice but to deal with it. You did have a choice though - you didn't need to read this post. Why if you are going to be so easily triggered by a few memes? God forbid we might make a few jokes about how some of us prefer our childfree lives. I'm glad there are people that want children but people like you are so intolerant. YOU get off the planet or keep your opinions to yourself.
Load More Replies... What the actual f**k? Huh.... listen dear. I'm chilfree, I'm not solely focusing on my career, I work normally to earn money to be able to have some hobbies. I have two rabbits but they don't "replace" human connection. I hang out with family and friends often. I don't see how I'm selfish for not putting a life in this world that I wouldn't want in the first place. I'm not like people having children and hoping they will have a "meaning" in their lives out of it. I volunteer at animal shelter and worked 3 years to help children with difficulties so I hardly see how it is 'selfish''. When you have a child, you give all your attention to it. I want my attention to be given to more children that need help and more persons too. I'm an extrovert and love to travel and meet people from different cultures and learn from them too. I don't see how not wanting children is immaturity. People can aspire to more than answering to a basic reproduction instinct. Besides, the planet has enough people.
Load More Replies... Yes, people with children have something more than I do. They have children. Which I don't want and never will have. So I am not missing anything... I can't miss out on an experience I didn't want in the first place. I am happy if you are happy with your kids. But this attitude is not great.
Load More Replies... It’s not necessarily about money, but about experiences like holidays, cars, partying, going out whenever they want etc. And you do need money for those things.
Load More Replies... Erika? You need to calm down. I am happy that YOU are happy with your children. You know what makes me happy? Parents who are happy with their kids and love them, through thick and thin. And you what distresses me? Folks having kids who didn't really want them and then take out their frustrations on the poor kid. There is no 'best' choice. There is only making the best choice for yourself. Very simple.
Load More Replies... See, that kind of commentary is the reason people without kids don't like people with kids. This is a choice and has nothing to do with being afraid. Or would you say you are afraid of taking up the responsibility of caring only for yourself?
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