I’ve heard this question a million times from friends and family, but just the other day I heard it from a kid. As my friend’s six-year-old daughter sat on my lap and played with my hair, she inquired about my reproductive plans. I ignored the question. Then she suggested maybe I should get a new hairstyle. Phew. That was close. I really didn’t want to go there.
“Yes, when?” asked her twin four-year-old brothers as they wrestled on the floor. D’oh!
“Never!” I answered a bit too quickly.
“But why not?” they all pleaded. And I fell for it. I pulled out my high horse and saddled up.
“Because it’s my choice, not everyone has to have kids.”
They blinked back at me. Did I say too much?
“I don’t have to have kids.” I continued to explain.
The boys chimed in, “If you’re married you are supposed to have kids.”
Uh-oh. I tried to stop myself from saying too much, but it was impossible…
“That’s not true. You don’t have to have kids if you’re married.”
I didn’t say you could or maybe even should be married to have kids. And I definitely didn’t say, “Go ask your mom and dad!”
The twins started covering my arms with Halloween tattoos and the little girl tied my hair in a knot on top of my head.
“You’d look better with short hair,” she said.
“Are you having kids?” I asked her. I just couldn’t resist.
“I don’t know yet,” she said. That’s my girl! I thought as I let myself get a makeover by the three kids.
Minutes later my husband walked into the room. He took one look at us and shook his head.
He whispered in my ear, “Great birth control.”
“The kids?” I asked, expecting him to save me.
“No,” he replied. “Your hair!”
Hey WNKers: What would you say if a child asked you, “Why no kids?”
Share your “Why no kids?” stories in the comment section below.
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