Ok, I guess I'll finally respond to this one...

I am in my early thirties, married for five years this month, wonderful husband, happy marriage, finacially secure, stable ect....all the stuff that leads people to expect us to have children soon.

We have no plans to ever have children. I love kids, absolutely adore them, hubby is great with them, little ones flock to him all the time. I just don't want my own. I have nothing against kids at all and completely respect those that do have them. Most of our friends have young kids and I often get to babysit. I have 9 nieces and nephews--ADORE THEM!! I can't get enough of my sister's three little girls, but at the same time, being the cool auntie who can buy them loud toys, feed them sugar, play silly games, has time to sit and listen to them for hours--well, that's the good part of parenthood without the stress, worry, ect.

We take all sorts of flack for this decision from other people. My sister in law actually asked me once why I got married if we didn't plan to have children? Like there was no other reason to get married! Now I've taken to telling people that when I want to hear the pitter-pat of little feet, I'll put shoes on my cats. I've found that if I try to give them the real reasons, no one believes us or accepts them. Being sarcastic at least shuts them up!

My sister is raising three kids under the age of 8 alone! one is still in diapers. She's always wanted kids-since she was a toddler she's wanted to be a mom. And she's amazing. doing a simply amazing job with those girls. I deeply admire her committment. Heck, I send her mother's day presents! But I don't want to be her or in her shoes.

My dogs tie me down more than kids would. It's alot easier to find someone willing to babysit a kid or two than it is to find someone willing to take care of 18 dogs and 8 cats!

I spent seven years as a front line child protection worker. It almost killed me and did damage to my soul that I am still trying to heal. The things people do to kids is just astounding and horrifying. It's harder to adopt a dog from our local humane society than it is to have a kid. My co-workers and I often said there ought to be a test before you can have a baby. Would save a lot of kids a lot of heartbreak!