Pardon me for thinking that you were self-centered based on the following, all things you posted in previous comments. Those were the comments that made me think about self-centered individuals. I am only mentioning them because it was my frame of reference on a thread about a young lady who gave up her baby for adoption.
“I don’t hate them, but I have absolutely zero desire to ever have to care for one.”
“On what basis do you conclude that I would enjoy taking care of a baby? Let me assure you, I know myself pretty well...and I haven’t the slightest yearning to be responsible for a baby for an afternoon, let alone for years.”
“Not having children lets me devote my time and money to myself...and I like it that way.”
Perhaps with your choosing those words, you might understand why I had an ill-informed view of you. I do apologize for having misunderstood you. I hope that you and I can come to understand each other better.
I applaud you for treating your parents with the compassion and dignity that they deserve. When they are older and in their demise, they do revert to childlike behaviors in many ways. I’ve been there and done that with my own two parents and father-in-law. We are currently dealing with the (physical, mental, and financial) issues of our only parent still alive, my mother-in-law. Taking care of our parents in their declining years has also been an honor and a privilege. It is not much different than caring for a child at whatever age from infancy through adulthood.
Fair enough, and I'll dial it back a notch.
Perhaps with your choosing those words, you might understand why I had an ill-informed view of you. I do apologize for having misunderstood you. I hope that you and I can come to understand each other better.
Bereft of full context...again, fair enough. But I do stand by my statements regarding my lack of desire for children. Even once my parents pass away (many years from now, one hopes) I will still won't want to have kids.
Ever.
Children are a joy to many, but they're not for everyone. Respectfully, the message I got from you was "You'd love having kids, if only you were wise enough to understand."
It seems a bit condescending.