""My own mother said that I would never know what real love was, and I could never be truly selfless. Mind you, I am married and love my husband, friends, and family. I volunteer at my church, I babysit my friend's children, my niece and nephew love me, and I would absolutely take a bullet for any of the kids in my life.""
""This was my biological father, whom I only saw once a year for my entire childhood, despite the fact that he only lived 45 minutes away... When I told him my husband and I didn't plan on having kids, his response to me was, 'The ugliest, most bitter people I've ever met are old ladies from church who never had kids.'""
""Being told, 'Babysit my kids for the weekend... THEN you'll want kids.' No thanks." "I LOVE MY CHILD FREE LIFE, and NO, I'M NOT YOUR BABYSITTER. There are reasons why I don't watch your kids for you, whether it's for five minutes or for the weekend. I love my freedoms, thank you.""
Adults who choose to remain child-free receive intrusive, judgmental, and sometimes cruel reactions from family members and acquaintances. Relatives may assert that child-free people will never know love or be selfless, despite existing close relationships and caregiving roles. Others demand babysitting or assume temporary exposure will change their minds. Some express jealousy over relationships or criticize partnerlessness. Estranged parents may resort to stereotypes and insults. The pressure takes the form of unsolicited advice, emotional manipulation, and entitlement to time and care, prompting many child-free adults to set clear boundaries and defend their personal freedoms and life choices.
Read at BuzzFeed
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