We write to reach out, to find others who might feel the same way. This is a short piece on not having children. Many thanks to Beate Sigriddaughter for publishing this today in her fine blog for women’s voices. http://writinginawomansvoice.blogspot.com/
Jean Ryan, a native Vermonter, lives in Lillian, Alabama. Her stories and essays have appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies. She has also published a novel, LOST SISTER. Her short story collections, SURVIVAL SKILLS and LOVERS AND LONERS, are available online. STRANGE COMPANY, a collection of short nature essays, is available in paperback as well as digital and audio editions.
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2 thoughts on “No, I Don’t Want To Hold Your Baby”
I love how bold you are to introduce this sensitive topic into thoughtful conversation. When I was in my 20’s I thought I wanted to have children but as a gay man I didn’t think I was allowed or had the right job requirements. I opted to become a great FUNcle to my family and friend’s kids offering them my time, conversation and humor as I recall keenly that I often felt ignored or invisible to adults when I was a kid. My Partner and I have amassed our own family of children in the past 28 years when we agreed to look after them as godparents. When I read your article, Jean, I started going through the website that is hosting it. Beate Sigriddaughter, the Editor of the blog sums it up beautifully “I am in love with life and would choose samsara over nirvana any day. Even if we are indeed all illusions, then let’s make this the best and most beautiful and compassionate illusion possible.”
Yes, Beate is a marvel, isn’t she? Love this welcoming, intelligent platform she has created. And thank you for sharing a bit of your own history to enlarge and inform the conversation.
Jean Ryan 
I love how bold you are to introduce this sensitive topic into thoughtful conversation. When I was in my 20’s I thought I wanted to have children but as a gay man I didn’t think I was allowed or had the right job requirements. I opted to become a great FUNcle to my family and friend’s kids offering them my time, conversation and humor as I recall keenly that I often felt ignored or invisible to adults when I was a kid. My Partner and I have amassed our own family of children in the past 28 years when we agreed to look after them as godparents. When I read your article, Jean, I started going through the website that is hosting it. Beate Sigriddaughter, the Editor of the blog sums it up beautifully “I am in love with life and would choose samsara over nirvana any day. Even if we are indeed all illusions, then let’s make this the best and most beautiful and compassionate illusion possible.”
Yes, Beate is a marvel, isn’t she? Love this welcoming, intelligent platform she has created. And thank you for sharing a bit of your own history to enlarge and inform the conversation.