Did you always want children?

I was in the car this morning listening to my favourite radio station, ABC radio national. Life Matters with Natasha Mitchell was on and the topic was 'childless by choice'.

Now I have to admit that I always knew in my waters ( my Gran always said that) that I would go forth and procreate. I never gave it any thought, I just took it for granted that I would be a mother.What was I thinking! As blessed that I am and for all that I am thankful for, I am a mother. I have also known that there are women who don't share my feelings.
Now if we put on our thinking caps, of course this is obvious.  Of all the women on the planet, the diverse backgrounds, experiences, personalities, dreams , DNA ( you get my drift) there are some that are maternal bound and some not.

What I found interesting when we got to the meat of the program was how many women have had to explain their decision not to have a baby. How many of you out there that are Mama's have had to explain why you are a mother? I have never been presented with this question. Some of the women on the program have even resorted to lying and just pronounce they are unable to have kids. Shuts em up real quick apparently. I found that shocking.
I have three daughters. Two of them I know am fairly certain will become mothers. The other has told me from approximately mid puberty that she does not think she will have babies. This has never fazed me. In fact, in my endeavour to raise my three perfect feminists  I am all for owning your life. I have never said to her while one of these conversations was happening that 'she might feel differently later' or 'your missing out' or any of those phrased that are thrown at women who make this announcement. But , as a kind friend pointed out, maybe I am cool with this because my opportunity to become a grandparent is pretty much secured from my brood of 5. I think she does have a point but I do not want to admit to that so I am sticking with the feminist vibe. I am far to young to contemplate being a grandmother at 40 and saying I am a feminist sounds much cooler.

Note to self, remover that board on pinterest that has the cutest baby clothes that I might possibly one day sew for said Grandchildren.

Surely we are comfortable with ourselves enough to not pressure women about conforming to something else yet again. We have moved on from preconceived gender roles, haven't we? I know in the next 20 years we will experience more and more women who embrace this decision and are free to be themselves. Don't you just love progress?

                                  this                   versus                this

OR

Some of this?

Or maybe you will end up like that lonely lady in the park with no grand kids only animals as friends , usually cats, but sometimes pigeons.

 OR you might end up old, fab and really, really cool and not give a damn!