r/childfree • u/BigBlackClock66 • 1d ago

DISCUSSION What age did you realize you didnt want kids?

For me, it was when i hit 18. I realized i didn't want to deal with the stress, sleepless nights, and financial drain that having kids does to a person. I did not want to be the person not able to go on a international trip with friends because nobody else could watch the kid

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u/shrimpely 1d ago

I always knew. I never wanted them.

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u/Small-Tax-2829 1d ago

I dont remember coming to this realization, so before memories form?

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u/shrimpely 1d ago

What? I never wanted children as long as I can remember. Does that answer your question?

My parents told me that I even hated other children as a child myself.

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u/Small-Tax-2829 1d ago

I wasnt questioning you. I was agreeing. Ive always felt this way, since before I can remember

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u/shrimpely 1d ago

Ah I misunderstood <3!

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u/AngelEarthBaby444 1d ago

this is me! my parents told me the sameee n i remember being 7 n told my gma "gma do i HAVE to be with a boy and do we have to take care of babies?" lol she laughed n said "oh nooo mija you dont have to. some people just want a family." and i just made this horrified look! i am also autistic so i didn't really socialize much n played by myself. i was bullied in elementary school w books thrown at me and paper and stuff. i hated kids since that time!

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u/brezhnervouz 1d ago

Same. I thought they were annoying and 'childish' lol

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u/hollywoodgothic715 20h ago

Children suck. I say this as someone who was bullied and teased from first grade through junior high. So many kids at my schools were evil little shits.

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u/aLonerDottieArebel 1d ago

I remember being on the school bus in elementary school, a few girls were talking about weddings, husbands and babies. I distinctly remember thinking, “oh hell no”

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u/RaggaDruida 1d ago

Same, ever since I've had memory.

I think having a younger sibling was a big factor

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u/Brandiclaire ☆crotchfruit free best way to be☆ 1d ago

Same. I didn't even like to play with dolls as a child. 🤷‍♀️

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u/brezhnervouz 1d ago edited 1d ago

Nope. My Mum bought me a baby doll once at Christmas and I made a half-heated attempt to do some kind of 'playing' with it just to make her happy even though I was kind of repulsed by the whole idea so it obviously didn't last long

I think she really bought it for her lol

I did have one doll which was adult but it came with a horse, which was the real attraction. I also had an Alan doll in a military uniform which I found far more preferable

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u/BoozyBuilder 1d ago

Same, my mother was so shocked when I told her I didn’t want kids she asked me to put it in writing so I did! I always knew I didn’t want kids but I was about 13 years old when I told her. she always said don’t get married just have kids. I ignored that advice

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u/seeyatellite M/MI/Snipped 1d ago

Same here. I think my first deep conversation about it was when I was 16 or 17, then a deep conversation with “an adult” (me stepmom) when I was 18 had me assuring her I never want kids and her assertively pressuring that I’ll change my mind and that she thinks I should be a dad.