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| Image by Tony Alter via Creative Commons |
My children made statements in early 2026 leading me to believe that they are choosing to be child free. Now, this is their decision. Having a child is a huge responsibility, so they need to really want to accept all the roles and responsibilities that come with being a parent.
I would be lying, however, if I did not admit to the need to "move the furniture around in my head." In other words, the future I have been imaging for myself just radically shifted. True, I only have two children, but I thought that maybe at least one of them would have one child. Instead, I am going to be a grandparent to cats now and possibly dogs once they can afford a home with a yard.
Did I traumatize them with inadequate parenting to the point that they are dissolution with the relationship? Ouch. My heard is full of cement with the thought that my poor choices may have influenced their decision to remain child free.
I decided to look at some data to see how many older adults in the US are grandparents, and Pew Research indicates that 83% of those 65+ in the US are grandparents. That makes me part of the 17% that never hold that role.
