I really want to be a mother...I do think about it a lot. All possibilities considered. I think this is why I want to go back into childcare again. I miss that connection, that family bond. Something I rarely had growing up. I love being around children and infants. They are so innocent and make life so beautiful. If I ever have them I'd want my children to have a father. I think I would make a really great mother one day. For the people here who don't have kids, do you think about it often? And if you do have kids, what does it mean to you?

My sons taught me about unconditional love and forgiveness...
i can't imagine what i would be had they not been a part
of my life the last 30 years.

I was pregnant once. A few years back and I knew I wanted the baby, no question, I wouldn't go back and wish it didn't happen. Since then, I've been really careful about who I meet and let into my life.

My kids are my life , best most beautiful thing I've ever had

I consider myself very lucky :)

Myself, my kids have made me see this world in a whole different perspective.....and of course my grand kids have made me see what life is really all about....

I had my first baby when I was 27. And then 2 more in my 30's. Being a mother is the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life.

However, both my sisters opted not to have children and they are very happy. To have children or not is a very personal decision and there are pros and cons to both.

My recommendation is to not do it alone. I have a broken picker when it comes to relationships/marriage. But I did very well in picking out father material for my kids. We may be divorced but I don't consider myself a "single mom" because we parent our children together.

The thing that I found most rewarding (and unexpected) about having a child was how much it helped ME grow. I hope that doesn't sound selfish because I don't mean it that way. I've also been deeply touched by the fact that now my daughter is grown, she actually chooses to have me live nearby. I didn't feel that way about my own parents, so hopefully I did learn a little bit about how to do it better.

I'm hoping that someone will come on this thread who has chosen not to have children and talk about that.

Where is Lex to weigh in on this?

All kidding aside - although I have kids now, before I had children
I always knew that I was going to enjoy having kids and being a parent
and for me it was even more enjoyable and satisfying than I could
possibly have anticipated.

I would love to have more kids too.

It is very important to discuss children with a prospective spouse so
that you both know how you feel about raising a family together and
for women especially it is very important to get as early a start on
your family as you can because of the risk of infertility and other
problems as time goes on.

I hope you have a wonderful family someday with beautiful children
who enrich your life as they have for mine and for so many other
parents on here.

I could not imagine my life without my daughters.
They are what makes me sing,they are the reason I get up in the mornng.They own my heart and soul in every way possible.

Yeah, I actually do think about it quite a bit. But unsure whether bringing kids up in this world is the right thing to do this day and age for me personally. So much insanity everywhere and predators on the rise with the laws to slow them down on the fritz. I would be a very protective father and stuff like that irks at me. It is something I am very open to though and would ultimately discuss with my partner.

I do think about it from time to time, but not like every week or so. lol. Most of my female friends who i went to school with, would always be getting pregnant way before me. I didn't feel ready physically or mentally. I only start to change my mind slightly, when i see woman giving birth on tv. I end up thinking "Oh hell. Be glad you're not giving birth right now". lol. I just fear giving birth. It looks like the most extreme pains a woman will ever have. However, i'm not ruling it out.

" I just fear giving birth. It looks like the most extreme pains a woman will ever have."

It is.

I derive my backstory from the same situation. Both my parents weren't meant to have children and didn't know how to love them. I think in a lot of ways I can be a great mother because I understand the special bond only a family can bring. My sister and I are much closer than we were growing up. My brother...he's getting there. It being so hard to connect with him when he's living in Europe at the moment. I think they both care for me and I truly see that now that we've grown as individuals and grew closer because we know how bad we had it growing up. We were there for each other.

I understand what you're saying completely. I am happy to hear stories like this. Its thrilling to see family bonds and and pure love from everyone's individual story. Warms my heart because I know that the world is truly capable of such feelings.

i will never have kids.
i'm getting my tubes tied in my near future.
the other day i had a dream i was pregnant.
i woke up and lifted the covers expecting to see a huge belly.
i was so ****ing scared.
i've never been so glad to touch my flat belly before.
parenting is the most difficult thing on the face of the earth.
majority of parents are **** ups.
that's why the world is so screwed.
i won't ever have the audacity to even think i have the ability of decently raising another human being.

Power to ya

Да. Мы с тобой родем красивых детей когда-то. (if you have trouble translating, let me know and I'll do it for you )

Well hell. That's just brilliant, that is! :(

This is great feedback!

Children are a gift from God, no doubt.

My one regret in life is not having any children. It was not a decision, just happened that way.

I did/do have the privilege of helping raise my partner's two children for 10 years, helping my brother raise his three daughters, having the world's greatest 16 nieces and nephews that I am extremely close with, having many godchildren and friends' kids to be with and enjoy and spoil and send home

I have to agree - being a parent is the hardest job imaginable but also the very most rewarding

Я не знаю то, что Вы говорите, но это кажется хорошим

It only hurts for a while.
Afterwards while your holding that baby, you have already forgotten
about the pain.

There are many things in life that hurt...most end up not worth it. Childbirth is worth it.

Mixed blessing for sure.