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Real members of MyDepressionTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyDepressionTeam Member asked a question 💭
Not telling

Do some people not get that everyone wants kids? If you want to get married and have a child fine. But to say that a life without children is unfulfilling is very insulting to people that don't want kids by choice. There is trauma people deal with that causes them not to want kids. Maybe there are people that know in no way they are set to be a parent. There are some people that have selfish reasons to have children. You have to be a very selfless person at a lot of times when your a parent… read more

November 18, 2025
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A MyDepressionTeam Member

I am 41 years old and with my older age and my poor health I am not fit to be a mother. Once I got married in 2012, I had 2 miscarriages. But after the 2 miscarriages we never tried for children again. And I am happy with being a dog mommy for my doggy Caddy!!!

November 18, 2025
A MyDepressionTeam Member

I wanted kids I always thought I would have 3 but I'm happy in a way I don't have any I'm a worrier at the best of times and the last 5 years my health has been all over the place I'm hoping to do travelling later on in life so don't mind being childless now.

November 18, 2025
MyDepressionTeam

How can you honor your decision to be childfree while managing feelings about societal expectations?

Your self-awareness about what you need is really valuable. Choosing not to have children is a valid, personal decision that deserves respect. Living with depression can make it even more important to understand your limits Show Full Answer

How can you honor your decision to be childfree while managing feelings about societal expectations?

Your self-awareness about what you need is really valuable. Choosing not to have children is a valid, personal decision that deserves respect. Living with depression can make it even more important to understand your limits and honor what feels right for you.

Putting yourself first isn't selfish—it's essential for your mental health. When you're clear about your boundaries and needs, you're practicing important self-care. This might mean:

- Recognizing that your experience caring for your nephew gave you valuable insight about yourself
- Setting boundaries when others pressure you about having children
- Finding fulfillment in other meaningful relationships and pursuits
- Celebrating what brings you joy (like your kitty cat!)

A MyDepressionTeam member shared about learning to prioritize themselves: "I realized and just reminded myself that, I must believe and have faith that better days are ahead of me!" Another focused on self-care that made them happy, showing that different paths work for different people.

Your worth isn't determined by whether you have children. What matters is living authentically and taking care of your mental health in ways that work for you.

November 18, 2025
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Would have liked to have kids just wasn’t in the cards. Love what you have

January 20
A MyDepressionTeam Member

Thank you, Joyce. Sounds to me like your children knew they were loved, so became the independent souls they were supposed to be rather than reflections of their parents. Bless you for turning your own hurt into a powerful intention to do other than your parents did you.

I had no such faith in myself. I had no faith in the adults around us that should have intervened and didn't. I'm still angry about the teachers, nurses, policemen who lived within a block of us and did nothing to interrupt the insanity. They all knew what was happening--he was not quiet in his frequent rage.

I thought to become a parent was to become a beast or a coward, and I wanted no part of either. How good it was to find as I grew that not all adults were like that. But by then it was too late for me. No regrets. Bygones.

November 25, 2025

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