My theory is that so many people didn’t want kids either, but society made them believe they had to or else they were selfish for wanting a life dedicated only to themselves instead of kids. And now when they see people making the choice they wish they had made, they get upset that they were “forced” to take a family role to not upset the societal status quo that they didn’t necessarily want and are now a bit jealous to see the life they could have been having. I say “forced” not because someone directly forced them to get married and have kids, but the societal pressure to make a good family and a good Christian home always has kids.

My mom would always hit me with the usual “oh, I didn’t want kids when I was your age either, but you’ll change your mind.” whenever I said I never wanted kids. My mom used to be outgoing, loved playing sports, going motorcycle riding, having out with her best friend (her husband) and other college friends. Then she had kids and “had to sell the motorcycle, played way less sports and didn’t get to hang out with friends as often because she was taking care of her kids full time at home while my dad was going to school full time still to be a medical doctor.

Personally, her parenting skills were pretty gross, very rough for me at least being the youngest of her kids. But I have always had the impression that she would have been such a happier person if she hadn’t traded in her life for what society told her she had to do to be a good wife and person.

I would much rather my mother had not had me at all because she seemed to resent motherhood when presented with the idea that others didn’t have to choose it based on other people’s perception.