I'm sorry this has been your experience. I assure you that I completely understand the decision not to procreate and in some ways can conceptualize it as the logical decision given the current state of the world. Believe it or not, I have felt the same way from the assumptions of some of my out-spoken child-free…

I chose to have a baby while working on my MA. Family, other students, professors interrogated me about my decision. Even though I successfully completed my degree on time, with competitive funding, while going through pregnancy and the first year of my son's life and got a job immediately upon completion of my…

As a pregnant graduate student I was bombarded by the question "Did you plan that? What were you thinking? Why now?"

Of course, a few outspoken assholes don't represent the entire child-free population. I'm really glad that you shared this because you illustrate my whole point that people who chose different paths can totally still be pals and have mutual understandings and compassion for one another.

It's very similar, yes.

I would but the person in question has been my husband's friend since high school. One of the things I love about my husband is that he is an incredibly tolerant, compassionate and understanding person. One downside to that is having to deal with clowns like Mr. "Video Games are My Children."

True, except to my kid who at that moment it is the most horrible thing that has ever happened in the history of existence.

Who do you have to justify this to? I am curious. My mother in law is not supportive of some of my life choices like working, seeking an education, or traveling (with and without my son) but I don't equate her antiquated opinions to the rest of society. I'm aware that there are some people (and maybe I am just lucky…

You're right, I shouldn't speak as though I represent the norm. I am extremely lucky that my spouse, parents, faculty committee, and such have been so supportive.

It's ok, your fears are totally normal to have. I had similar fears shortly after my son was born! At least you are thinking about it before the whole process starts.

Exactly. We have child-free friends who constantly pontificate, even though we never bring up our son when we see them. They once referred to him as our new "hobby."

I finished my master's thesis and found a new job where most of the people in my office don't have kids while having a baby. Trust me, you can keep your identity and talk about non-baby related things (infact most people will not want to hear about the trials and tribulations of sippy cups or your preferred method…

These are really great conversations to have, definitely, but as a side note, can we all just get along? I have a 15 month old son and he is obviously the biggest thing in my life right now. I go out of my way to temper the amount I talk about him at work or on social media or to my childless friends. I would…

You have no idea what labor and childbirth is like.

The 45 year old gal could do way better probably.

You'd be surprised. In some ways this study is sexist because it paints men to be highly superficial and ageist and that's not totally fair. I'm a woman, but trust me there is a profound difference once you get passed the age factor and you can't have an actual conversation with someone because of the age gap. …

I AM SO MUCH HOTTER AT 31 THAN I WAS AT 22.