Due diligence?
Sep. 18th, 2004 10:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
flexagonWow... here's a very spiritual view of the decision not to have children. Take out most of the Goddess-y stuff and that's exactly how I feel.
I read a huge swath of Our Bodies, Ourselves tonight... I have the '92 edition, and I found it very lacking in an explicitly childfree perspective, though it was certainly open to women making that choice. I bet that's changed. I read quite a lot about motherhood, and sex, and sterilization, and as always came away feeling like I'd gotten a big hug from someone wise. I am, you see, trying to do at least a bit of last-minute deep thinking on the whole issue. If I feel regret in 10 years, I'd rather at least be able to look back and remember I didn't do it too blithely. I fear it isn't working though. I've thought too much about it already... now I just keep drifting off into daydreams about Valium, which I've never had before and I'll get to have on Thursday before the procedure. Mmm, I've heard Valium is goooooood. I can't wait. :)
I read a huge swath of Our Bodies, Ourselves tonight... I have the '92 edition, and I found it very lacking in an explicitly childfree perspective, though it was certainly open to women making that choice. I bet that's changed. I read quite a lot about motherhood, and sex, and sterilization, and as always came away feeling like I'd gotten a big hug from someone wise. I am, you see, trying to do at least a bit of last-minute deep thinking on the whole issue. If I feel regret in 10 years, I'd rather at least be able to look back and remember I didn't do it too blithely. I fear it isn't working though. I've thought too much about it already... now I just keep drifting off into daydreams about Valium, which I've never had before and I'll get to have on Thursday before the procedure. Mmm, I've heard Valium is goooooood. I can't wait. :)
no subject
Date: 2004-09-22 07:16 pm (UTC)And in the end, it made me realize that that difference was something to cherish and to nurture and the other accomplishments are still there for me. I must respectfully point out that plants, animals, friends, parents, other people's children, the aged, and the community/environment as a whole can also be cherished and nurtured. I agree it isn't quite the same though. I do fully believe that with most people, the mother/child bond is stronger than any other and that it's rewarding in ways that don't make sense until you do it. All that is okay... I don't need to fully grok it to decide against it in this case, 50% understanding is quite enough. :)
Anyway, thanks for your thoughtful response. I am glad your path is rewarding to you and not cutting you off from developing yourself.