I used to make socially acceptable excuses for choosing not to have children.

Since my Mother died when I was barely a teen, I used to blame my decision on my “job” as the oldest child taking care of the siblings.

My true reason is that I have wide interests in so many aspects of life but having children is not one of them. I know I will feel the same way about grandkids. As a result “parenting” in the larger community isn’t something I need to do either.

I now just smile and say “ Didn’t get the kid gene”