5 Books To Read If You Dont Want Kids

5 Books To Read If You Dont Want Kids Being a woman who doesnt want kids is complicated. The responses one gets from admitting this vary, but are often dismissive or incredulous. Even writing this Im tempted to soften the sentiment, to change doesnt want to isnt  sure. I am sure, though. For most of my life I didnt shy away from talking about it, either. Id argue with anyone who referred to children as a  when  instead of an  if.  But lately Im a bit tired. Maybe its because Im now married, and people are constantly asking about kids, as if my husband and I are somehow an incomplete unit on our own. Maybe its because, at 27, I no longer feel the need to constantly defend my decisions. Next time someone looks at me with that  what, no kids yet?  look in their eye, Ill tell them to read a book. One of these five, to be exact. Selfish, Shallow, and self-absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the decision not to have kids  Edited  by Meghan daum This collection only came out in 2016, but its already considered a quintessential book on living that childfree life. It contains essays by sixteen writers including Geoff Dyer, Sigrid Nunez, and Kate Christensen. Though united by the common theme spelled out in the title, the pieces reflect a variety of life experiences and attitudes about children which prevent them from ever feeling repetitive. Beyond Motherhood: Choosing a life without children by Jeanne safer This is a classic of the (admittedly small) childfree genre. Through personal recollections and interviews, Safer seeks to disprove the assumptions people make about the lives of women who choose not to have children. Just like there are many ways to be a parent, there are endless options for how to be a  non parent, all of which are valid. Like a mother: A Feminist Journey through the science and culture of Motherhood by Angela Garbes Though Im not necessarily planning on giving birth, I still like to read about different experiences of parenthood. Garbes deep-dive into pregnancy explores both harmful myths and scientific realities, as well as her own experiences, in a fresh way. It should be a must-read for anyone, regardless of their position on kids. Motherhood by Shiela Heti A  book called Motherhood  may seem like an odd choice for a list of books about, well, not being a mother. But Shiela Hetis novel follows an unnamed narrator as she deliberates over whether or not to have a child as she reaches her late 30s. The book isnt so much about parenting as it is about the concept of motherhood and how it appears in various permutations. Hetis narration is filled with honest, beautiful reflections that will be familiar to anyone who has faced uncertainty on the topic of children. The Changeling by Victor Lavalle When all else fails, theres always the creepy fiction about kids route! This eerie novel about early parenthood will have you stocking up on contraceptives to last until the apocalypseâ€"and possibly beyond.