Interesting, @"Janet A" .... I wonder how many of us 'childless women' just never really 'needed' children? I would put myself in that category.
I never expected to get married - my 'mother role models' weren't great - a blood mother who pissed off with another bloke when I was 2 (with 3 older siblings under 5) and a step mother who shafted us after our father left her VERY WELL OFF at our expense (we paid the mortgage on the family home out of our share of our father's will) - with her leaving 'our legacy' to her own children - plus just being a bit of a bitch at numerous times, even tho our 'family history' lasted 50+ years! Luckily, a friend's Mum (who took me under her wing when I attended college with her daughter) was a wonderful example of what a mother/family could actually be ...... Maybe this put a slanted interpretation on my desire to have kids?
I never actively tried to have kids & I wasn't particularly upset that when I finally went off birth control and I didn't fall pregnant. As a youngster not long out of school, I had a 'scare' when I thought I may have been pregnant in my first sexual encounter - luckily I wasn't - but I was also pretty sure of the course of action I would take if I HAD been pregnant ..... and being totally honest, it wouldn't have involved having a child without a committed partner!
Sure, with an older husband (15 years older than me) I have to accept the fact that I will be 'on my own' in my old age & will have to organise my 'old age' life accordingly ...... tho I do have one stepson & wife (my husband's adopted son) with whom I have a lovely relationship - but they live in NZ .... so I can't rely on them to look after me ....
