I love babies, children, tweens and teens. I am a machine when it comes to having a baby (last labour, 13 mins start to completion) and if I could stay permanently pregnant I would have. I also understand the lack of maternal drive and I think people should be encouraged to make a choice for themselves and not what society thinks we all should do. I have friends who are not maternal at all and should have never had children. I know people who only ever wanted to be mothers, be disastrous mothers! I have also seen women who seemed to lack maternal instinct become amazing mothers so I don't think anyone can say one way or the other whether they would be a good parent until they actually become one. I have cared long term for little ones who's mothers just couldn't do it and I have seen the long term results. It makes for a difficult life for both parents and children. It's quite a crap shoot. Deciding not to have a child is a responsible act. Anyone can have a child but you need a license to fish. Go figure.
I am a huge supporter of adoption, especially "older child" adoptions. I think that there are so many options that a person can exercise later if they choose not to have their own that chosing not to have children isn't that big a deal. If you get to that certain age where it is "sh*t or get off the pot" and you decide not to, then you have made a good decision for you. If you change your mind, there is always a child out there waiting for good home.
My momma always said that there isn't a problem in the world that can't be fixed with a baby and a rocking chair and she was right. I wouldn't trade those long days, even longer nights, diaper changes, snotty noses or stiches for anything in this world. That said, I'm glad that part is over and my little ones are all now big ones. Soooo much easier. Now I'm just waiting for granbabies!
cat