Anytime someone talks about me having kids I quickly shoot back with, "You mean dogs right?" This usually shocks a lot of people, but my fiancé and I do not care to have kids at all. And if we were to change our minds, I probably wouldn't be ready until I'm in my 30's, honestly. For some reason I always get, "You'll want kids eventually, trust me." I'm 21, and ever since I can remember, some of my friends already have picked out baby names when we were in like 5th grade. I have never even thought, nor spoken about what I'd want to name my future kids, because they probably don't exist.

It may seem harsh, but I hate how women are perceived to have to want to make a family as soon as they are married or are in their late 20's early 30's. There are plenty of women who have no desire to have children, and that is totally okay! For those who want to create a small army of little ones, that's amazing too. I just don't like how it seems like not wanting kids is the wrong way to go about life. I have always wanted to travel the world, pursue a meaningful career, and just focus on where I want to go in life. I'm not saying you can't do that with kids, but it definitely makes it a little harder.

I'm lucky enough to have a significant other who agrees with me, and respects my decision. My parents too understand my decision to not have kids because times are very different now. I stress enough about my dog when he is sick, I can't imagine what it must feel like when your child gets sick. I've never really had motherly instincts and I don't think I ever will. I still love kids though, my nephews are my world! I just don't see my life particularly in that way, and it's okay. I'm just a little bit over hearing it from multiple people that I am "crazy" for not wanting kids. If I would have wanted kids, I feel like I would've known by now, especially since I am engaged.

My fiancé and I constantly joke about how we will just have a corgi farm instead of kids. That's totally fine by me. It's just sad to me that women still are immediately associated with bearing children and that it's completely weird to think another way. It sucks that we still deal with issues like this. I just want people to understand that everyone is different in their path in life, I am completely okay with probably not having kids, and I shouldn't be badgered for my decision.