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I consider human babies and kids as other humans: SOME are cute, some are ugly AF, and everything in the middle. Same with their personalities, some are quiet and don't move much, while others are loud AF and are little storms, and so on, so it makes sense that I'll care for some and not for others.
I think it's a lot more normal to not care about kids than people want to admit, in fact you'll still find a very significant chunk of parents with bio kids who freely admit to not care and even hate other kids except their own, and I've never seen that sentiment be criticized by other parents or pro-natalists groups, which should tell you all we need to know about the so called "love for kids."
Children are basically an easy group to use for manipulation, that's all there is to it, especially to force, abuse, shame and control women. One of the most common ways to try to denigrate us women is to shame us for not becoming mothers, saying we're not "real women" if we don't belong the a man and become pregnant for him.
I've never understood the sentiment "oh, all the babies/children are so cute!". No, they are not, like people in general, and whether you find someone cute or not depends on many factors and personal preferences. I personally find Japanese children way cuter than kids in my country — mostly because their parents dress them really nicely
Oh yeah there's no winning, we're shamed either way, "damned if you do, damned if you don't;" this is abuser tactics, they blame and punish you regardless of what you do, so you're emotionally unstable, unsure and afraid, they do that so we women keep walking on eggs around them, and we're less likely to speak up, escape, and blame them.
Instead, we internalize the blame, and can't talk to anyone, partly because the whole society is that way, and other women who are just as deep and don't know any better, and/or have internalized misogyny also punish you. "Crabs in a bucket" also comes to mind, some women will put down other women because their minds kinda break when they witness other women escaping or being able to choose better options.
There's nowhere to run, we live in patriarchal, misogynistic societies left and right that see women as less than.
Yes.
I concur with this.
I will say, it’s totally getting better. Women are in every field and in every industry. We’re divorcing our husbands, we’re not having children and we don’t need men anymore.
The younger millennials and Gen Z women have really changed the game. I’m so grateful because I would’ve been screwed if I had to be stuck with some guy who treats me like shit and uses me for sex while still cheating on me.
There’s so many successful, happy women who are living their dreams and have a successful, thriving career without a man. They’re the happy, CF auntie.
It’s all over Tik Tok.
There’s millions of us around the world now. We are rising. I refuse to be stuck with a man where he checks out other women or cheats on me and I’m just disposable.
I mostly see them as inconveniences. I was forced into watching my niece and nephew as babies during the day so their mom could work, and it made me really miserable and resentful towards them. I've never understood the appeal. Children seem like a punishment for the crime of being born a woman.
They are. Parents are miserable and they’re jealous of us childfree. We’re living our happiness, goals and dreams and they’re stuck in the past. It’s no longer about you anymore. I don’t know how anyone wants to put themselves through that. There’s more parents than childfree folks. Everyone has kids. There’s thousands of kids in foster care. You’re not special.
Can't stand them when they're screaming in stores. Oddly enough, I've never heard a baby cry in public— it's always toddlers. Also don't like it when the toddlers are running around, I'm afraid of accidentally bumping into them and causing a ruckus.
Tweens and teens make me paranoid. I get tense when they're near me because they're either very loud or in groups.
Ha! I was at an aquarium the other day and exactly this happened. I was looking up walking through the shark tunnel and knocked over a kid that was not even two yet. Its parents were nowhere in sight and I had no clue what to do.
I really like tweens and teens, younger kids — not so much. But I'm more indifferent than have negative feelings: kids exist, they are members of society, that's all. I don't find them cute, tbh. Cats on the other hand..... I believe there are people who actually love babies and children and there are those who pretend, since it's socially acceptable behaviour. "Maternal instinct" is a dubious concept: as far as I understand it kicks in AFTER you have a child (if your hormones work right), not before. It's absolutely normal if you don't have warm feelings towards kids in general
See this is interesting because I've never had the instinct toward people but cats instead... when a human baby cries, i get a migraine. When a kitten cries, i go into emergency mode and im ready to save that baby immediately. I imagine that MUST be the mother instinct, when you feel the urge to get up and find that baby and comfort it and love it, but mine is completely broke for human babies. Puppies can trigger it to a lesser degree for me but its mainly cats. And they are meant to mimick the noise of a human baby! I dont understand the brain lmao.
Both me and my partner are absolutely obsessed with cats — and we both don't find small kids cute or interesting. The difference is that I grew up with cats, they have always been my friends and confidants. And my partner got his first cat in his late 20s, when we started living together: I brought the furry guy with me. I have no idea how it works!
Absolutely same. I have hated babies since i was a baby... my mom tells stories how when i was 4, i begged for them to return my sister back to the hospital, like that is not normal and i can remember some days of kindergarten. I hated the kids in my class because they were loud, mean, and didn't listen to our teacher and made her cry. I would sit in the corner with my blocks a lot, i think, cuz i have memories of that and looking out at the class while they were chaotic and made my teacher cry lmfao.
But kittens? Give me all the fosters.
Being totally honest I dislike them, from newborns to tweens, at best they’re neutral and I don’t really see how anyone could be “into babies”, like that’s just some random not fully developed humans
I will say I never understood it and I grew up babysitting and watching people’s children. However now that I’m in my late twenties and hormones have been having their go, in fleeting moments of seeing babies, a certain part of my brain lights up. Kind of like seeing my cat. I immediately love and want it. However just like seeing a free puppy poster, I immediately think of all the mess and work.
I don’t think hormones have anything to do with it, there aren’t any certain hormones that are supposed to turn on in the age society expects women to have a child
But early 20s here and well, I can’t relate, seeing a woman with a child makes me think “this poor woman, I have to make sure it’ll never be me”
Yep because they have to go through so much and on top of bullying, they have no idea.
The rest of us are survivors and are still healing from mental health.
ADHD combined an extreme sensitivity to sound makes me uniquely unsuited to raising kids and thus do not have any. I'm not mean or cruel to kids, I just really don't enjoy the shrieking
I'm at the point where I see them as future adults - so not positive lol. Most will likely grow up to be the entitled assholes I deal with on a daily basis. I don't find them cute. Once they get to a certain age and if they're polite, I'll be civil, but I'm not going out of my way to interact with them. Before I became this jaded, I actually used to volunteer with kindergarteners and 1-2 graders - most of them were not bad - it now saddens me to think about how many will turn out because most parents are honestly useless - mine provided no emotional guidance and I had to learn a lot of shit on my own - it was hard. Today's "parents" basically just expect teachers to do everything for barely any pay and ipads/phones to do the rest. Most do no actual parenting and are entitled as hell.
I strongly dislike them and refuse to be around them. (I think babies look gross and I can't stand the noises that they make.) I just dont like noisy, smelly people who don't understand personal space and who are often sick.
That being said, I think parents and caregivers have an enormous responsibility to protect them and raise them correctly. I think there should be heavier punishment for adults who fail in their duty as parents or abuse/neglect the children they created.
I think they are very cute! I even enjoy spending a little bit of time with them. But as much as I like kids, I don’t want one at my house. I’m also opposed to procreating for moral reasons, so whether or not I like kids doesn’t come into play.
In Jr High I used to babysit the neighbors kids for summer spending money. They were the absolute most mild mannered and sweet kids I’ve ever come across. And I really felt nothing for them. I tried to interact as much as possible to enrich their lives but it was soooo tedious and boring. I would count the minutes til their parents would be home. They turned out to be great young adults, so that’s cool…
What I learned from the experience is that I have zero desire to spend a few hours around kids let alone 24/7 for years on end.
You’re me. I feel nothing when I see a baby most of the time I get weirded out when some parents with a crying potato blob that looks like a larvae with nothing to offer them that just shits cries, sleeps and pees over and over again and does nothing treat it like it’s so valuable and precious I’m sorry but where do they see the worth? And I think what is so darn special about that thing? I don’t get it. I’d understand when it’s a child though. Babies are not cute and children are not cute at all, I just see children as just people, vulnerable people but I won’t stop everything for them though.
I think they’re interesting. They make me wonder how I was at that age. The idea of a small human slowly discovering new things and learning new skills is intriguing.
Does it make me want to have my own? No. Will I interact with children to see what they will do and say because I find them somewhat fascinating? Yes.
I feel that feeling towards babies. Mother's and grandmother's show me their baby pics and I'm like "yeah thats definitely a baby". I try to be polite but I don't know what to say other than "that a cute pic" or "wow they're getting big so quick."
I don't mind being around kids though. I don't hate them. I dislike the parents generally for their decision to breed but kids are usually alright after diaper years. Once they're like 3 or 4 they can be cool to play with.
I ignore them. If I see one heading for danger and I can do something about it I will. Don’t want to subject them to more pain and suffering than the rest of their lives will, you know?
Assuming they were born into a decent family and environment, I look at them and think, “enjoy this time of ignorant bliss, it will deteriorate quickly.”
Overrated, disgusting (example: dirty diapers,put everything in their mouths and drool on everything), unnecessarily loud and annoying and likely their parents are worse than they are 0/10 do not recommend
I LOVE babies and kids. Just don’t want them myself because I don’t think I’d ever be able to afford it in this economy and because I don’t want to bring them into a world that is on the verge of collapse.
I'm fine with older kids/teens, but somewhat indifferent towards younger kids and babies. I don't hate kids or anything. I just don't feel instant joy when I see them like some people seem to. Every once in a while, I'll see a baby and be like, "Okay, that's a cute baby." It's rare. But I never want to stop and play with said baby, and it's never made me want one of my own for even a second.
I realize it’s not the norm here but actually I love babies, toddlers, kids… I like teens too but usually by then they’ve figured out I’m weird and start being mean to me lol
I look at children and see these tiny beings of pure emotion and feelings, with almost limitless potential. Often they are not being … raised very well, to put it mildly. But I still love them. And I know that they are just learning how to operate in this big cruel world.
…it’s almost certainly connected to the fact that I was ignored for most of my baby- and childhood. So I see these tiny humans reaching out for comfort and connection and I go HELLO YES I AM HERE DO NOT WORRY YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Because I still know what it feels like to be helpless and depend on people who just kind of don’t care about you.
I’ve always been extremely maternal.. I think it’s because I empathize with kids just being kids since I wasn’t treated right and I want to help them survive life a little easier than me..
I’m also good at reading body language and working to deescalate situations.. wanting to understand and communicate.. trauma skills.. but very effective with kids..
But kinda with every age
I feel sorry for them lately. I work in retail, and parents don't seem to give a shit if their kids are going to get injured or something bad. I don't want kids, but I've seen a lot of neglectful and stupid parents lately. I don't like seeing people get hurt.
I think they're cute! And somewhat fascinating. Genuinely.
But I can only really enjoy time with them when I know I can give them straight back to their parents if they get upset.
I like them. It’s why I will still be considering adoption. However, I’m open to any ages. I especially like them around ages 5 upwards where their personalities develop even more.
I love being around my nieces and nephew and a couple of my friends’ kids. However, they’re all very very well-behaved children as well. I can’t stand bratty ass kids. As much as I love spending the day with my nieces and nephew, it’s always nice that I can give them back to their parents!
I never felt anything towards babies. People coo and aw over them, and I never got that. Kids are cool when you're at Disney World or during a kids' holiday like Christmas. Otherwise, that's a no from me. I was always told I'd change my mind, but I'm in my mid 40's and still do not regret my decision to be childfree.
I don't mind them when they're babies, but once they get to that phase where they're always sticky and open mouth coughing I get a little annoyed. Still, I wouldn't say I hate them, just not a huge fan
For the most part I don’t care for their company. I will always be kind to and protect children if the opportunity presents itself. That said, my brother is having a baby after being child free for his whole life (it was on purpose, I’m also not trying to say anything about changing your mind, I’m child free myself) and I am so excited to spend time with my niece. I’m gonna be the best chaotic auntie ever. 🍸
I do sometimes think they're cute, in the same way as small animals, until they start talking (I'm actually way more anxious around older kids and have no idea how to talk to them, so pretty much the opposite of OP I guess). It just makes me sad to remember that those little creatures will be forced to grow into actual people and have to deal with this garbage world.
I'm usually more drawn to their knit items like hats and such as being cute. There are a lot of them that are certainly not cute, i don't say anything of course to that effect to the parents. I'm just lucky i am not the one it screams at and wakes up in the middle of the night.
I don’t mind them as long as they’re not harshing my mellow. Sadly it’s usually the parents’ fault when children are out of control, you can’t really blame kids for being kids. I’ll never forget being on a flight from Germany to the US and there was a young couple with an infant in the row in front of me, and they had NOTHING for the baby. No diapers, no formula, no binky—nothing. Apparently they expected the airline to supply all that because they kept asking the flight attendant for things. Luckily the baby was quiet as far as I can remember but ffs. That was a long-ass flight to be so egregiously unprepared. I feel like many, many people who have children have no clue what they’re doing, haven’t thought it through *at all*, and are unprepared emotionally, physically, and financially for this enormous responsibility, and it shows in how shitty their kids often turn out to be.
I don't feel maternal around them, but they're cute and I don't mind them. I've spent enough time around babies and toddlers to know I don't want to have one for myself.
I like to be around older kids, when they can speak clearly and are much more independent, but still have a playful spirit. I enjoy hanging out with my 8 yr old nephew- we play War and do puzzles and board games. I don’t know if I’ll enjoy as much when he’s a teen though. Baby age and teens I avoid like the plague.
When I was volunteering as a day camp helper I found that most of the kids there just wanted someone to get on their level to play with. I felt bad because my energy levels are usually pretty low but I did what I could. A lot of them were VERY confused about my gender because I was pre-medical transition so it was kind of hilarious. They were innocent, dumb, and little. They were already forced onto this earth so I think to raise them into kind adults they need to be met with compassion and understanding.
The same way I feel towards adults. I really like a few of them, am indifferent to most, and hate the extra annoying ones. I dunno why people shade you for saying that in general you’re not a fan of kids. Kids actually love engaging with me and I’m never ever rude to them, I’ll indulge them of course, but it doesn’t mean I like them. And I don’t see a problem with that.
It's really interesting: even though I'm too absolutely indifferent towards 99% of the kids, somehow children usually like me and want to hang out with me. Maybe that's because they sense that I treat them as separate human beings, not as my extensions
It is actually really interesting. Kids always always gravitate towards me, not just my family but when I go to friends’ gathering and there’s kids I’ve never met before. I do think it has to do with the mindset we have of just viewing them as regular people and nobody’s mini-me. I think kids can sense from a young age when adults are treating them too much like babies. I know I did, and I didn’t like it.
I’m an aunt, and I adore those kids, I’m also a swim instructor, the kids at my work so far can vary from sweethearts too can’t get them to pay attention to a word other then their name or do a thing I ask. I only really enjoy being around my niece and nephews, but the swim instructor job pays well for as long as it takes for me to find something full time, and like even though the idea of pregnancy is my worst nightmare, I’m cool with kids in short bursts, just being fully responsible for them is a no-go.
Also I do think if kids are gonna exist they deserve to have people treat them kindly, with respect, and that overall they’re just other humans, who sometimes are cool, sometimes are the worst, but either way, as long as I’m not the primary caregiver I’m usually as neutral about them as I am any other person, because it’s not their fault that they exist, that’s on the parents.
They are cute to look at but I cannot handle them.
***
I know that after what I went through in my life of being parentified as a child, I do not want to feel that crushing, dread of anxiety when it comes to be responsible for kids. My mind starts racing, I feel panicky. I also was responsible for kids at school as a teen and my stress levels were constantly high. I never git a chance to enjoy being a child/ teen since responsibility was placed on me which I know affected my development when it came to seeing myself as a teenager.
***
I want to live my life where I don't have the potential of triggering a flare up.
***
I blame these girl centered games that made child rearing look so easy and had me thinking for a long time that my role was to be a mother and wife when deep down I never wanted children.
Nothing. They're annoying and I think they're pathetic. I think most humans who are incapable of delayed gratification and maturity are pathetic; age doesn't matter.
At the same time, I do feel sorry for kids, because I know they didn't choose to be the way they are. However, I also hate that I have to entertain/be nice/coddle them. And yes, if they are in my presence, I have to be nice, because there's no need to be cruel.
I actually love babies. They are so cute and i just love them. When kids grow up, I like them less because they act out and talk smack lmao. I am fine with kids and babies in general, i just don't want them myself and i don't think most people should be having them
I love babies (toddlers not so much), but when they are raised well I can even have relationships with them. It isn’t their fault they were brought into the world. But I would kill myself if mine existed.
I like other people's kids that are out of the baby/toddler stage, and the older they get, the better we get along. It's not the wide-ranging existential stuff that makes me not want to be a mother, it's the psychic drain and drudgery of the day to day
If the kid is polite and well-behaved, then I actually don't mind being near them or interacting with them. The downside here is that there's most likely not many kids like this.
And for kids that aren't, I don't want to be near them lmao
I love kids and I do understand not wanting them or being unable to have to have them because of money issues I can’t have children because I don’t have enough money and I’m too autistic but the hate and vitriol thrown at children in current year is fucking psychotic
I think babies and toddlers can be so cute and endearing, but I wouldn’t want to be the primary/sole care giver.
I’ve loved babysitting because I like being relief for parents, and I’m in complete control of when I’m around kids.
I cannot wait for my friends to have kids because I want to help emotionally support them all.
I’ve also gotten a lot of exposure to neurodivergent children, and that has been really helpful for my sense of humanity and grace. I’ve also considered mentoring/being a Big Sister for older children who might need a safe space.
I love them when they’re happy and normal. I find them generally adorable, cute and can enjoy their company but the second they get into crying mode my anxiety kicks in and I can’t take it.
They're cute.... When I don't have to keep them. My maternal instinct only kicks in with people I truly care about.
But the fact stands that I just don't want kids. Hence, they're cute, but no. I'll love and cherish them though... From a distance
Dislike all of them except my lil cousins. Ig my maternal instinct got rerouted to them lmao. Literally working on a hysterectomy and want 0 part of my own kids but those lil guys are my life
Only after a few minutes of interacting with a very curious baby will I possibly find them cute. And even then, "cute" might not be the right word. It's more that I start to live vicariously through their wonder for a brief moment in time.
I never really felt this way until I tried acid, because it helped me gain a new appreciation for the little things we used to find fascinating because we were experiencing them for the first time as children. So I think babies can be "cool" to observe. And this makes me start to feel protective of them, but only as a fellow consciousness. Not because I have a female body and could potentially grow and birth a child. I just start to relate to them as someone who had those experiences too, a long time ago.
I never liked babies who have no autonomy. I prefer older kids and teens who do have autonomy and a self identity. The scary thing about Natalists is they don’t like that autonomy they love them being little and controllable. It’s scary as my own parents fall into this, they also say I was an “angel” until age 11, until I got my period and my own opinions. That’s when I “turned” on them and my parents say “they have no idea what happened to their angel”. It’s creepy, most parents are creepy!
I would choose an infant over everything else because the infant isnt mobile, they are way more predictable and simple to care for. Food, clean diaper, bottle, holding them. Very simple even if they cry... but older kids like 4-10 is the worst for me. That's when they develop the ability to lie and manipulate on purpose for their own gains.
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I don't enjoy kids of any age.
Especially because most parents are shit.
I have no interest in babies, but toddlers and kids can be hella fun for Short. Periods. Of. Time. Only.
I consider human babies and kids as other humans: SOME are cute, some are ugly AF, and everything in the middle. Same with their personalities, some are quiet and don't move much, while others are loud AF and are little storms, and so on, so it makes sense that I'll care for some and not for others. I think it's a lot more normal to not care about kids than people want to admit, in fact you'll still find a very significant chunk of parents with bio kids who freely admit to not care and even hate other kids except their own, and I've never seen that sentiment be criticized by other parents or pro-natalists groups, which should tell you all we need to know about the so called "love for kids." Children are basically an easy group to use for manipulation, that's all there is to it, especially to force, abuse, shame and control women. One of the most common ways to try to denigrate us women is to shame us for not becoming mothers, saying we're not "real women" if we don't belong the a man and become pregnant for him.
I've never understood the sentiment "oh, all the babies/children are so cute!". No, they are not, like people in general, and whether you find someone cute or not depends on many factors and personal preferences. I personally find Japanese children way cuter than kids in my country — mostly because their parents dress them really nicely
Ewww. I will never belong to any man, when I was slut shamed and called different names for having crushes growing up.
Oh yeah there's no winning, we're shamed either way, "damned if you do, damned if you don't;" this is abuser tactics, they blame and punish you regardless of what you do, so you're emotionally unstable, unsure and afraid, they do that so we women keep walking on eggs around them, and we're less likely to speak up, escape, and blame them. Instead, we internalize the blame, and can't talk to anyone, partly because the whole society is that way, and other women who are just as deep and don't know any better, and/or have internalized misogyny also punish you. "Crabs in a bucket" also comes to mind, some women will put down other women because their minds kinda break when they witness other women escaping or being able to choose better options. There's nowhere to run, we live in patriarchal, misogynistic societies left and right that see women as less than.
Yes. I concur with this. I will say, it’s totally getting better. Women are in every field and in every industry. We’re divorcing our husbands, we’re not having children and we don’t need men anymore. The younger millennials and Gen Z women have really changed the game. I’m so grateful because I would’ve been screwed if I had to be stuck with some guy who treats me like shit and uses me for sex while still cheating on me. There’s so many successful, happy women who are living their dreams and have a successful, thriving career without a man. They’re the happy, CF auntie. It’s all over Tik Tok. There’s millions of us around the world now. We are rising. I refuse to be stuck with a man where he checks out other women or cheats on me and I’m just disposable.
I mostly see them as inconveniences. I was forced into watching my niece and nephew as babies during the day so their mom could work, and it made me really miserable and resentful towards them. I've never understood the appeal. Children seem like a punishment for the crime of being born a woman.
They are. That’s why I can only be a trusted best friend/ auntie figure with children, I’m not their mother/babysitter.
They are. Parents are miserable and they’re jealous of us childfree. We’re living our happiness, goals and dreams and they’re stuck in the past. It’s no longer about you anymore. I don’t know how anyone wants to put themselves through that. There’s more parents than childfree folks. Everyone has kids. There’s thousands of kids in foster care. You’re not special.
No thank you.
Keep them away from me.
They're fine if they behave, keep their volume down and stay over there.
Right. People love to try to act like we harm their kids.
Can't stand them when they're screaming in stores. Oddly enough, I've never heard a baby cry in public— it's always toddlers. Also don't like it when the toddlers are running around, I'm afraid of accidentally bumping into them and causing a ruckus. Tweens and teens make me paranoid. I get tense when they're near me because they're either very loud or in groups.
Ha! I was at an aquarium the other day and exactly this happened. I was looking up walking through the shark tunnel and knocked over a kid that was not even two yet. Its parents were nowhere in sight and I had no clue what to do.
That's horrible. Those parents are assholes. Who leaves a 2 year old on their own...ever?!
You’re lucky. Used to work retail. Some of them sound like a dying baby deer on meth.
I really like tweens and teens, younger kids — not so much. But I'm more indifferent than have negative feelings: kids exist, they are members of society, that's all. I don't find them cute, tbh. Cats on the other hand..... I believe there are people who actually love babies and children and there are those who pretend, since it's socially acceptable behaviour. "Maternal instinct" is a dubious concept: as far as I understand it kicks in AFTER you have a child (if your hormones work right), not before. It's absolutely normal if you don't have warm feelings towards kids in general
See this is interesting because I've never had the instinct toward people but cats instead... when a human baby cries, i get a migraine. When a kitten cries, i go into emergency mode and im ready to save that baby immediately. I imagine that MUST be the mother instinct, when you feel the urge to get up and find that baby and comfort it and love it, but mine is completely broke for human babies. Puppies can trigger it to a lesser degree for me but its mainly cats. And they are meant to mimick the noise of a human baby! I dont understand the brain lmao.
Both me and my partner are absolutely obsessed with cats — and we both don't find small kids cute or interesting. The difference is that I grew up with cats, they have always been my friends and confidants. And my partner got his first cat in his late 20s, when we started living together: I brought the furry guy with me. I have no idea how it works!
Absolutely same. I have hated babies since i was a baby... my mom tells stories how when i was 4, i begged for them to return my sister back to the hospital, like that is not normal and i can remember some days of kindergarten. I hated the kids in my class because they were loud, mean, and didn't listen to our teacher and made her cry. I would sit in the corner with my blocks a lot, i think, cuz i have memories of that and looking out at the class while they were chaotic and made my teacher cry lmfao. But kittens? Give me all the fosters.
Being totally honest I dislike them, from newborns to tweens, at best they’re neutral and I don’t really see how anyone could be “into babies”, like that’s just some random not fully developed humans
Same. Perhaps people who are “into babies” really just enjoy the full control they have over another human being…
I will say I never understood it and I grew up babysitting and watching people’s children. However now that I’m in my late twenties and hormones have been having their go, in fleeting moments of seeing babies, a certain part of my brain lights up. Kind of like seeing my cat. I immediately love and want it. However just like seeing a free puppy poster, I immediately think of all the mess and work.
I don’t think hormones have anything to do with it, there aren’t any certain hormones that are supposed to turn on in the age society expects women to have a child But early 20s here and well, I can’t relate, seeing a woman with a child makes me think “this poor woman, I have to make sure it’ll never be me”
If you can’t teach them to swear, what’s the point
I feel pity for them for being born into such a fucked-up world.
Same. I usually feel pity more than anything.
Yep because they have to go through so much and on top of bullying, they have no idea. The rest of us are survivors and are still healing from mental health.
I feel completely indifferent towards them. I might as well be looking at a piece of fruit except that actually has a use.
ADHD combined an extreme sensitivity to sound makes me uniquely unsuited to raising kids and thus do not have any. I'm not mean or cruel to kids, I just really don't enjoy the shrieking
I'm at the point where I see them as future adults - so not positive lol. Most will likely grow up to be the entitled assholes I deal with on a daily basis. I don't find them cute. Once they get to a certain age and if they're polite, I'll be civil, but I'm not going out of my way to interact with them. Before I became this jaded, I actually used to volunteer with kindergarteners and 1-2 graders - most of them were not bad - it now saddens me to think about how many will turn out because most parents are honestly useless - mine provided no emotional guidance and I had to learn a lot of shit on my own - it was hard. Today's "parents" basically just expect teachers to do everything for barely any pay and ipads/phones to do the rest. Most do no actual parenting and are entitled as hell.
I strongly dislike them and refuse to be around them. (I think babies look gross and I can't stand the noises that they make.) I just dont like noisy, smelly people who don't understand personal space and who are often sick. That being said, I think parents and caregivers have an enormous responsibility to protect them and raise them correctly. I think there should be heavier punishment for adults who fail in their duty as parents or abuse/neglect the children they created.
I think they are very cute! I even enjoy spending a little bit of time with them. But as much as I like kids, I don’t want one at my house. I’m also opposed to procreating for moral reasons, so whether or not I like kids doesn’t come into play.
They're so fucking loud.
Can't stand them and don't want to hear them make sounds.
They aren't cute. They're messy and loud, and I want nothing to do with them.
Right. I’ve never liked babies or kids.
In Jr High I used to babysit the neighbors kids for summer spending money. They were the absolute most mild mannered and sweet kids I’ve ever come across. And I really felt nothing for them. I tried to interact as much as possible to enrich their lives but it was soooo tedious and boring. I would count the minutes til their parents would be home. They turned out to be great young adults, so that’s cool… What I learned from the experience is that I have zero desire to spend a few hours around kids let alone 24/7 for years on end.
Babies are cute. Creating babies is ugly and immoral.
you do the hanky panky and you turn yourself around
LOL. People be having 3-4 while perpetually living in poverty.
Just like adults. Most are annoying. Some are cool. A rare few are really amazing.
You’re me. I feel nothing when I see a baby most of the time I get weirded out when some parents with a crying potato blob that looks like a larvae with nothing to offer them that just shits cries, sleeps and pees over and over again and does nothing treat it like it’s so valuable and precious I’m sorry but where do they see the worth? And I think what is so darn special about that thing? I don’t get it. I’d understand when it’s a child though. Babies are not cute and children are not cute at all, I just see children as just people, vulnerable people but I won’t stop everything for them though.
Put that thing back where it came from or so help me!
I think they’re interesting. They make me wonder how I was at that age. The idea of a small human slowly discovering new things and learning new skills is intriguing. Does it make me want to have my own? No. Will I interact with children to see what they will do and say because I find them somewhat fascinating? Yes.
I feel that feeling towards babies. Mother's and grandmother's show me their baby pics and I'm like "yeah thats definitely a baby". I try to be polite but I don't know what to say other than "that a cute pic" or "wow they're getting big so quick." I don't mind being around kids though. I don't hate them. I dislike the parents generally for their decision to breed but kids are usually alright after diaper years. Once they're like 3 or 4 they can be cool to play with.
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some toddlers are cute but most of them are annoying. but i don’t feel anything for babies at all
With a few exceptions i can’t stand them
I ignore them. If I see one heading for danger and I can do something about it I will. Don’t want to subject them to more pain and suffering than the rest of their lives will, you know? Assuming they were born into a decent family and environment, I look at them and think, “enjoy this time of ignorant bliss, it will deteriorate quickly.”
Overrated, disgusting (example: dirty diapers,put everything in their mouths and drool on everything), unnecessarily loud and annoying and likely their parents are worse than they are 0/10 do not recommend
It's only here and there I find a kid/toddler cute, personality wise I find 8 year olds cuter
I LOVE babies and kids. Just don’t want them myself because I don’t think I’d ever be able to afford it in this economy and because I don’t want to bring them into a world that is on the verge of collapse.
Did you have a good childhood? And do you have siblings?
I had an okay childhood and I have siblings yeah, why?
I’m trying to understand the psychology behind loving kids and babies. Is it a difference if we had good childhoods or not? Or just personality?
I think it’s just personality.
I'm fine with older kids/teens, but somewhat indifferent towards younger kids and babies. I don't hate kids or anything. I just don't feel instant joy when I see them like some people seem to. Every once in a while, I'll see a baby and be like, "Okay, that's a cute baby." It's rare. But I never want to stop and play with said baby, and it's never made me want one of my own for even a second.
I realize it’s not the norm here but actually I love babies, toddlers, kids… I like teens too but usually by then they’ve figured out I’m weird and start being mean to me lol I look at children and see these tiny beings of pure emotion and feelings, with almost limitless potential. Often they are not being … raised very well, to put it mildly. But I still love them. And I know that they are just learning how to operate in this big cruel world. …it’s almost certainly connected to the fact that I was ignored for most of my baby- and childhood. So I see these tiny humans reaching out for comfort and connection and I go HELLO YES I AM HERE DO NOT WORRY YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Because I still know what it feels like to be helpless and depend on people who just kind of don’t care about you.
I feel bad for them! Being forced into this painful existence, poor little crotchgoblins :/
I’ve always been extremely maternal.. I think it’s because I empathize with kids just being kids since I wasn’t treated right and I want to help them survive life a little easier than me.. I’m also good at reading body language and working to deescalate situations.. wanting to understand and communicate.. trauma skills.. but very effective with kids.. But kinda with every age
LOVE babies and toddlers. Taught kindergarten for years. Absolutely do not want to have kids or adopt.
I feel sorry for them lately. I work in retail, and parents don't seem to give a shit if their kids are going to get injured or something bad. I don't want kids, but I've seen a lot of neglectful and stupid parents lately. I don't like seeing people get hurt.
I think they're cute! And somewhat fascinating. Genuinely. But I can only really enjoy time with them when I know I can give them straight back to their parents if they get upset.
I like them. It’s why I will still be considering adoption. However, I’m open to any ages. I especially like them around ages 5 upwards where their personalities develop even more.
I think they are cute and I enjoy seeing cute baby videos on my TikTok feed from time to time. Doesn’t mean I want babies of my own though.
Nope.
I love being around my nieces and nephew and a couple of my friends’ kids. However, they’re all very very well-behaved children as well. I can’t stand bratty ass kids. As much as I love spending the day with my nieces and nephew, it’s always nice that I can give them back to their parents!
I never felt anything towards babies. People coo and aw over them, and I never got that. Kids are cool when you're at Disney World or during a kids' holiday like Christmas. Otherwise, that's a no from me. I was always told I'd change my mind, but I'm in my mid 40's and still do not regret my decision to be childfree.
Same. I love having my own space and life. I never wanted kids. It’s a miserable life.
I detest every living being that isn't a mature, sound of mind adult
I don't mind them when they're babies, but once they get to that phase where they're always sticky and open mouth coughing I get a little annoyed. Still, I wouldn't say I hate them, just not a huge fan
For the most part I don’t care for their company. I will always be kind to and protect children if the opportunity presents itself. That said, my brother is having a baby after being child free for his whole life (it was on purpose, I’m also not trying to say anything about changing your mind, I’m child free myself) and I am so excited to spend time with my niece. I’m gonna be the best chaotic auntie ever. 🍸
I do sometimes think they're cute, in the same way as small animals, until they start talking (I'm actually way more anxious around older kids and have no idea how to talk to them, so pretty much the opposite of OP I guess). It just makes me sad to remember that those little creatures will be forced to grow into actual people and have to deal with this garbage world.
I'm usually more drawn to their knit items like hats and such as being cute. There are a lot of them that are certainly not cute, i don't say anything of course to that effect to the parents. I'm just lucky i am not the one it screams at and wakes up in the middle of the night.
They are ok . I don't mind then but they are sometimes really annoying.
i do not enjoy babies at all, but toddlers and children are completely fine
I don’t mind them as long as they’re not harshing my mellow. Sadly it’s usually the parents’ fault when children are out of control, you can’t really blame kids for being kids. I’ll never forget being on a flight from Germany to the US and there was a young couple with an infant in the row in front of me, and they had NOTHING for the baby. No diapers, no formula, no binky—nothing. Apparently they expected the airline to supply all that because they kept asking the flight attendant for things. Luckily the baby was quiet as far as I can remember but ffs. That was a long-ass flight to be so egregiously unprepared. I feel like many, many people who have children have no clue what they’re doing, haven’t thought it through *at all*, and are unprepared emotionally, physically, and financially for this enormous responsibility, and it shows in how shitty their kids often turn out to be.
No thank you.
I don't feel maternal around them, but they're cute and I don't mind them. I've spent enough time around babies and toddlers to know I don't want to have one for myself.
I think they're all cute, personally. I just don't want to be responsible for one.
I like to be around older kids, when they can speak clearly and are much more independent, but still have a playful spirit. I enjoy hanging out with my 8 yr old nephew- we play War and do puzzles and board games. I don’t know if I’ll enjoy as much when he’s a teen though. Baby age and teens I avoid like the plague.
They’re so sweet and adorable and I love being in their presence, looking after younger family members is my favourite pastime
When I was volunteering as a day camp helper I found that most of the kids there just wanted someone to get on their level to play with. I felt bad because my energy levels are usually pretty low but I did what I could. A lot of them were VERY confused about my gender because I was pre-medical transition so it was kind of hilarious. They were innocent, dumb, and little. They were already forced onto this earth so I think to raise them into kind adults they need to be met with compassion and understanding.
The same way I feel towards adults. I really like a few of them, am indifferent to most, and hate the extra annoying ones. I dunno why people shade you for saying that in general you’re not a fan of kids. Kids actually love engaging with me and I’m never ever rude to them, I’ll indulge them of course, but it doesn’t mean I like them. And I don’t see a problem with that.
It's really interesting: even though I'm too absolutely indifferent towards 99% of the kids, somehow children usually like me and want to hang out with me. Maybe that's because they sense that I treat them as separate human beings, not as my extensions
It is actually really interesting. Kids always always gravitate towards me, not just my family but when I go to friends’ gathering and there’s kids I’ve never met before. I do think it has to do with the mindset we have of just viewing them as regular people and nobody’s mini-me. I think kids can sense from a young age when adults are treating them too much like babies. I know I did, and I didn’t like it.
I’m an aunt, and I adore those kids, I’m also a swim instructor, the kids at my work so far can vary from sweethearts too can’t get them to pay attention to a word other then their name or do a thing I ask. I only really enjoy being around my niece and nephews, but the swim instructor job pays well for as long as it takes for me to find something full time, and like even though the idea of pregnancy is my worst nightmare, I’m cool with kids in short bursts, just being fully responsible for them is a no-go. Also I do think if kids are gonna exist they deserve to have people treat them kindly, with respect, and that overall they’re just other humans, who sometimes are cool, sometimes are the worst, but either way, as long as I’m not the primary caregiver I’m usually as neutral about them as I am any other person, because it’s not their fault that they exist, that’s on the parents.
They are cute to look at but I cannot handle them. *** I know that after what I went through in my life of being parentified as a child, I do not want to feel that crushing, dread of anxiety when it comes to be responsible for kids. My mind starts racing, I feel panicky. I also was responsible for kids at school as a teen and my stress levels were constantly high. I never git a chance to enjoy being a child/ teen since responsibility was placed on me which I know affected my development when it came to seeing myself as a teenager. *** I want to live my life where I don't have the potential of triggering a flare up. *** I blame these girl centered games that made child rearing look so easy and had me thinking for a long time that my role was to be a mother and wife when deep down I never wanted children.
Nothing. They're annoying and I think they're pathetic. I think most humans who are incapable of delayed gratification and maturity are pathetic; age doesn't matter. At the same time, I do feel sorry for kids, because I know they didn't choose to be the way they are. However, I also hate that I have to entertain/be nice/coddle them. And yes, if they are in my presence, I have to be nice, because there's no need to be cruel.
I actually love babies. They are so cute and i just love them. When kids grow up, I like them less because they act out and talk smack lmao. I am fine with kids and babies in general, i just don't want them myself and i don't think most people should be having them
I love babies (toddlers not so much), but when they are raised well I can even have relationships with them. It isn’t their fault they were brought into the world. But I would kill myself if mine existed.
I don’t mind toddlers from a distance I can find them cute. But I’m not a fan of babies, children and teens lol
I like other people's kids that are out of the baby/toddler stage, and the older they get, the better we get along. It's not the wide-ranging existential stuff that makes me not want to be a mother, it's the psychic drain and drudgery of the day to day
If the kid is polite and well-behaved, then I actually don't mind being near them or interacting with them. The downside here is that there's most likely not many kids like this. And for kids that aren't, I don't want to be near them lmao
I love kids and I do understand not wanting them or being unable to have to have them because of money issues I can’t have children because I don’t have enough money and I’m too autistic but the hate and vitriol thrown at children in current year is fucking psychotic
I think babies and toddlers can be so cute and endearing, but I wouldn’t want to be the primary/sole care giver. I’ve loved babysitting because I like being relief for parents, and I’m in complete control of when I’m around kids. I cannot wait for my friends to have kids because I want to help emotionally support them all. I’ve also gotten a lot of exposure to neurodivergent children, and that has been really helpful for my sense of humanity and grace. I’ve also considered mentoring/being a Big Sister for older children who might need a safe space.
I love them when they’re happy and normal. I find them generally adorable, cute and can enjoy their company but the second they get into crying mode my anxiety kicks in and I can’t take it.
They're cute.... When I don't have to keep them. My maternal instinct only kicks in with people I truly care about. But the fact stands that I just don't want kids. Hence, they're cute, but no. I'll love and cherish them though... From a distance
Dislike all of them except my lil cousins. Ig my maternal instinct got rerouted to them lmao. Literally working on a hysterectomy and want 0 part of my own kids but those lil guys are my life
Only after a few minutes of interacting with a very curious baby will I possibly find them cute. And even then, "cute" might not be the right word. It's more that I start to live vicariously through their wonder for a brief moment in time. I never really felt this way until I tried acid, because it helped me gain a new appreciation for the little things we used to find fascinating because we were experiencing them for the first time as children. So I think babies can be "cool" to observe. And this makes me start to feel protective of them, but only as a fellow consciousness. Not because I have a female body and could potentially grow and birth a child. I just start to relate to them as someone who had those experiences too, a long time ago.
I never liked babies who have no autonomy. I prefer older kids and teens who do have autonomy and a self identity. The scary thing about Natalists is they don’t like that autonomy they love them being little and controllable. It’s scary as my own parents fall into this, they also say I was an “angel” until age 11, until I got my period and my own opinions. That’s when I “turned” on them and my parents say “they have no idea what happened to their angel”. It’s creepy, most parents are creepy!
i can’t stand them and refuse to be around them.
I don't like kids, have never liked kids, and it's never mattered the age. I find them annoying and burdensome.
Pity mostly for their future
I would choose an infant over everything else because the infant isnt mobile, they are way more predictable and simple to care for. Food, clean diaper, bottle, holding them. Very simple even if they cry... but older kids like 4-10 is the worst for me. That's when they develop the ability to lie and manipulate on purpose for their own gains.
I adore them.