Any child free peeps on MFP?

Would rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon than have kids. Guessed I missed the parenting gene in my family.

I think that child free people seem hostile and angry (based solely on this post).

This post is stressing me out far worse than my child does when he is acting up.

Not here to argue, just stating how I interpreted the replies in here by those who don't seem to appreciate comments by people with children. To people who have children, being "child free" can simply mean a trip to the grocery store alone. I see that the OP was edited to clarify so many responses probably came in before she did that.

i think that a lot of what you see is maybe more of a knee-jerk reaction from a lot of us. some of this in here was genuine "no, the term means this". but every person who makes this choice is told the SAME things by society over and over and over and OVER. and it does grate, and it can make us a little quicker to defend. b/c we're so used to having to do that.

Apparently some breeders have taken offense to my post. Oh well...whattaya gonna do? :blushing:

I actually find the term breeders offensive and I don't have children... can you think of a new word please and thanks. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

^ Yep. This.

I'm currently childless, quite possibly child free. I haven't decided yet. But, in any event, the term "breeders" is juvenile, condescending, obnoxious and, perhaps most importantly, doesn't do anything to further a constructive dialogue about the many different types of families we see in the world today.

I think that child free people seem hostile and angry (based solely on this post).

This post is stressing me out far worse than my child does when he is acting up.

Not here to argue, just stating how I interpreted the replies in here by those who don't seem to appreciate comments by people with children. To people who have children, being "child free" can simply mean a trip to the grocery store alone. I see that the OP was edited to clarify so many responses probably came in before she did that.

If you're stressed out by childfree individuals eye-rolling at parents or someday-parents responding to this post, think of how stressful it is for some childfree individuals to hear over and over and over (and over) again:

1. You will change your mind.
2. It's different when it's your own.
3. You should be a parent because ____.
4. You are not a real woman until you have a baby.
5. You do not understand tired/hard work/life/anything until you become a mother.
6. You must be selfish.
7. You are a terrible human being.
8. Who will take care of you when you grow old?

etc.

etc.

etc.

(P.S. I am neither angry nor hostile!)

I think that child free people seem hostile and angry (based solely on this post).

This post is stressing me out far worse than my child does when he is acting up.

Not here to argue, just stating how I interpreted the replies in here by those who don't seem to appreciate comments by people with children. To people who have children, being "child free" can simply mean a trip to the grocery store alone. I see that the OP was edited to clarify so many responses probably came in before she did that.

i think that a lot of what you see is maybe more of a knee-jerk reaction from a lot of us. some of this in here was genuine "no, the term means this". but every person who makes this choice is told the SAME things by society over and over and over and OVER. and it does grate, and it can make us a little quicker to defend. b/c we're so used to having to do that.

I totally understand that these are knee jerk reactions, but regardless "child free" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone and we all know how people just pop in to posts without even reading it just to say something. So the people who are saying that they are child free because of being an empty nester do not deserve to be made to feel stupid because they have a child who may or may not physically be in their presence.

I think that child free people seem hostile and angry (based solely on this post).

This post is stressing me out far worse than my child does when he is acting up.

Not here to argue, just stating how I interpreted the replies in here by those who don't seem to appreciate comments by people with children. To people who have children, being "child free" can simply mean a trip to the grocery store alone. I see that the OP was edited to clarify so many responses probably came in before she did that.

If you're stressed out by childfree individuals eye-rolling at parents or someday-parents responding to this post, think of how stressful it is for some childfree individuals to hear over and over and over (and over) again:

1. You will change your mind.
2. It's different when it's your own.
3. You should be a parent because ____.
4. You are not a real woman until you have a baby.
5. You do not understand tired/hard work/life/anything until you become a mother.
6. You must be selfish.
7. You are a terrible human being.
8. Who will take care of you when you grow old?

etc.

etc.

etc.

(P.S. I am neither angry nor hostile!)

As I just stated in another reply, I think that the knee jerk reaction even by the people who just haven't had children yet to assume "child free" just means "without children." Perhaps it should be capitalized to indicate that it is a movement, so to speak. "Child Free?"

I am 29, happily married, and child-free by choice for life! My hubbie and I made that decision 7 years ago (we were dating then, but serious) and haven't looked back. We have 2 sweet kitties that give us enough trouble and still wake us up early on weekends. I'm also a proud auntie, and get plenty of fulfillment in that role.

My hubbie and I have our reasons for not having kids (some in common, some separate). We love the kids that our friends and family have, but we also enjoy the life we have built together, and we enjoy having a few couples as friends that share our choice not to have or raise children. Given the enthusiastic responses to this post, I'm guessing we are not alone.

To those who think we are angry, bitter, mean, etc...try being told all the time that you will "change your mind" about a difficult and unpopular decision, which I'm guessing for most is not a quick and easy decision.Try being told you are selfish, that you obviously hate children, that you just haven't found the right person yet, that you'd be such a great parent, that you risk losing your partner if you change your mind. Try being asked who will take care of you when you grow old, how your life will have any meaning without children, what you could possibly be doing with all your free time. I'd like to meet a person who can take that constant barrage of questioning and derision from friends, family, strangers, and society and not feel even just a little perturbed once in a while.

Happily made the decision to live the child-free life! My husband and I enjoy living life and traveling.

I had no idea that "child free" exclusively meant "child free by choice". I consider a solo trip to the store as "child free".

I am also not offended by the term "breeders".

I totally understand that these are knee jerk reactions, but regardless "child free" doesn't mean the same thing to everyone and we all know how people just pop in to posts without even reading it just to say something. So the people who are saying that they are child free because of being an empty nester do not deserve to be made to feel stupid because they have a child who may or may not physically be in their presence.

This. And X 1,000 to those who were obnoxious to the people who posted about not being able to have kids. Pretty low.

+10000000000000