I have different friends who have chosen to remain childless for different reasons.

One knows his mother's mental illness is often inherited, and knows how his own life has been damaged by her illness. He doesn't want to pass on either.

One friend had such a screwed-up upbringing that she spent years in therapy, and knows she doesn't have a clue about motherhood - as she wasn't every really "mothered" herself.

One friend knows herself well enough to know she's too concerned with herself to be a good parent.

I do not think anyone should pressure another person to have a child. I think the first prerequisite for becoming a mom should be wanting to be one.

And, Johanna, I hope you come to the Pet Talk gathering Memorial weekend. I bet you are not too big to be hugged if you want to be! Whale-ness, hrumph! Your little boy is gonna have more "online aunts and uncles" than most!

And I don't think ANYONE enjoys 2 am diaper-changes, but it's one of the prices one pays for the bundle of love! (And they don't (2 am diaper-changings) last forever, which is also good.)