How do you deal with family pressure to have children?

Question

How do you deal with family pressure to have children?

Answer 1

You will know when you're ready, don't let them tell you when you are ready!  

If anything, tell them you appreciate their input, but your personal life is to not be discussed unless you initiate it!  Do you pry into their business?  If you do, stop.  Otherwise, explain you give them personal space and you need yours!

Just imagine it...if they are giving you an earful now, what about when the baby comes?  Don't you think they'll have something to say about how you do things w/ the baby?  Believe me, that gets really annoying!

Answer 2

It's none of their business whether or not you have children. Tell them to butt out and leave you alone.  

Answer 3

My husband and I are child free, no kids for us ever!  We don't get a lot of pressure from my family but we get it from his.  I tend to just brush them off with something like it's rude to but into peoples marriages or we enjoy quiet and clean furniture therefore we won't be having any.  My fav one was asking his mother for $200,000 the last time she asked for a grand kid.  She asked what was the money for.  I told her that's the cost of raising a kid to 18 so when she ponied up the money I'd pop one out.  Good luck hun...stand strong!

Answer 4

why are you dealing with it?  

When brought up . . . quickly stop by stating "this is my life and I will have children when we decide the time is right for us"  If they continue, just simply state that you have spoken on that issue and it is not up for debate.

Once they see that you are not open for discussion about it they will leave you alone.  If not, ask them if they are going through empty nest and if so volunteer to get them a puppy.

Good luck, stand your ground and be aggressive doing it.  

Answer 5

Smile nicely and tell them that you and your husband will decide when the right time is. It's not a family decision.

Answer 6

Don't have children til your ready!

Let the words of "encouragement" be just that, a note on the way they see your ability to be a parent!

Even if you know they have their own reasons, use it your way!

You should consider a child when your as comfortable with your life as you are with your LIFE.

When your ready you are ready!

Every decision

Be Safe

Be Sure

Be Happy

Answer 7

It's easy to deal with this problem. Next time mom, dad.. or whoever is on you about having kids, ask them if they are going to babysit for free, while you continue living your life. If they are going to buy all the diapers, milk, and clothes for a child you're not ready for. Ask them if they are going to do all the middle of the night feedings, do all the doctors visits, and everything else that you don't want to be bothered with right now. Inform them that you'll gladly have a baby, if they do all that, and that you promise to come take over caring for your child once you ARE ready to be a parent. And then, watch them run away at the thought of doing all that child rearing.

Or you could take the easy route, tell them you will have a child when you are ready to care for it. Financially and emotionally. That you don't want to be one of those parents who struggles between working, and trying to make time for your kids. And ask them politely to please not mention it again until you are in fact, having a child.