For single women, admitting that you want kids when you're still unattached can feel like exposing a vulnerability. It did to me.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Having kids has been a turning point in my life because when I was still single, all I wanted was to impress beautiful girls.
Parenthood and having kids puts you in touch with a whole other sort of sensitivity which is nothing but good. You feel more than you ever felt. You feel that vulnerability, but at the same time you wouldn't trade it for anything.
I knew from very early on that I wanted kids. I wasn't one of those women who goes, 'Well, if it happens, it happens.' I really wanted a family. Although I didn't actually have my first child until I was 37, I always felt I'd get there.
There are loads of women that don't want children. What does it matter? I'm still a woman.
As a woman of a certain age - and really, ever since I hit puberty and my baby-making parts were suddenly subject to public debate - I've been told over and over again that I will 'change my mind' about not wanting kids.
I feel awful for women who are trying to raise kids on their own, with zero income and no fathers present - that's single motherhood.
I never wanted children; maybe I'm afraid of responsibility.
And you know when I was growing up, I knew I wanted to have kids, but I knew I didn't want to do it alone. Then once I was 41, 42, I had to accept that I probably wouldn't have kids unless I decided to adopt later on, but even then it would be with a partner.
My own husband was divorced when we met, but without kids. I don't know what I would have done if he'd had them. I got the message very early on that the worst mistake a woman can make is marrying a man with children.
I always knew I didn't want kids, and I didn't want to get married.