Kids poll, for ladies over 40 only

[Imua 0]

There was an article in the NY Times a couple of days ago (I can dig it up if people are interested) which stated that 20% of American women aged 40-44 are childless/childfree and I am just curious if that is the case with the female population of VJ as well.

[Mary Lou 681]

I am 43 and childless.

[HighwayStar 0]

47 and childless, and sure to remain that way.

[maya62 7]

I am assuming you mean biological children... I don't have any biological children.

I do have a wonderful 12 yo stepson who just made the Olympic Development Program in soccer here in Virginia, and who also got placed in the highest level math and English classes for this coming school year, less than 3 years after arriving here in the US speaking very little English.

Yep, I am one proud stepmonster!

Edited August 22, 2008 by maya62

[KarenCee 3]

I am 45 and I have a 9 yo daughter. If I could conceive again, I would. I absolutely ADORE being a mother. With that being said, being a parent is NOT for the faint hearted IMHO.

[jundp 191]

I am assuming you mean biological children... I don't have any biological children.

I do have a wonderful 12 yo stepson who just made the Olympic Development Program in soccer here in Virginia, and who also got placed in the highest level math and English classes for this coming school year, less than 3 years after arriving here in the US speaking very little English.

Yep, I am one proud stepmonster!

Congratulations! That's awesome.

I am not 40 so I didn't taint the poll but it is getting closer. However, I'd like to have another one or two (I have 2 already)....

[rebeccajo 14]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

[LoriLawless 0]

I have one daughter, 11.

[Imua 0]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

[rebeccajo 14]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

Oh, I see. One of those politically correct terms then. Kind of like saying 'pro-life' instead of 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice' instead of 'pro-abortion'.

If you have no children, it's really nobody elses business. For whatever reason.

If you couldn't or didn't have any (because of circumstance or medical reasons) and you are having trouble dealing with that, then calling it something 'nice' isn't going to change how you feel.

Calling yourself 'childfree' because you elected not to raise a family sounds smug and condescending, IMO.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

53, no children. A lovely step daughter and two great grandchildren - I did it the easy way:-).

[Welshcookie 17]

3 children...two have flown the nest already....2 grown up step kids and 3 grandkids

[Sonshyne 2]

Two grown kids

[bora bora 1]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

Oh, I see. One of those politically correct terms then. Kind of like saying 'pro-life' instead of 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice' instead of 'pro-abortion'.

If you have no children, it's really nobody elses business. For whatever reason.

If you couldn't or didn't have any (because of circumstance or medical reasons) and you are having trouble dealing with that, then calling it something 'nice' isn't going to change how you feel.

Calling yourself 'childfree' because you elected not to raise a family sounds smug and condescending, IMO.

I agree 100% with this. I know that people love to see newly weds with babies, but it can be annoying to be asked everyday if you have kids, and when are you going to start, and when I tell people my sister is pregnant there next question is "And you?"...

I'm in my 20's so I didn't vote, but I DO hope to have children and it's ok for me to say because no one came out and asked .

[Imua 0]

I wonder what childless/childree is supposed to mean?

It's a matter of attitude - 'childless' implies a lack in one's life and 'childfree' is an alternative term used by people who choose to not have children or who do not have children by circumstance, medical reasons, etc. and see the positive in their situation.

Oh, I see. One of those politically correct terms then. Kind of like saying 'pro-life' instead of 'anti-abortion' or 'pro-choice' instead of 'pro-abortion'.

If you have no children, it's really nobody elses business. For whatever reason.

If you couldn't or didn't have any (because of circumstance or medical reasons) and you are having trouble dealing with that, then calling it something 'nice' isn't going to change how you feel.

Calling yourself 'childfree' because you elected not to raise a family sounds smug and condescending, IMO.

I agree 100% with this. I know that people love to see newly weds with babies, but it can be annoying to be asked everyday if you have kids, and when are you going to start, and when I tell people my sister is pregnant there next question is "And you?"...

I'm in my 20's so I didn't vote, but I DO hope to have children and it's ok for me to say because no one came out and asked .

It's even more annoying when you're in your early 40s and people ask how many kids you have, and your husband comes from a culture where it's just an assumption that you have kids, even if you have no idea how you are going to feed them....