I don't want to have children for many reason. One of them is that I had a lot of mothers in my life. I endured a lot of mothering. So did they. I don't want to do what they did. I know there are many ways to mother, but I don't care for any of them or to create my own.

Will all the mothering I've had, decades of it from women with decades of experience in life, womanhood, and mothering, and I am still here mothering myself. And they are still mothering me. It never ends. I don't want to do more things that never end. I just want to do me.

Mothering is a lot of work. It has to be exhausting to love so much, in a way that is not mere sentiment, but consistent work. I am too selfish for that, or too taken in by other acts of service. Whatever it is, this is the right choice. Aunt, yes. Godmother, yes. Not mother.

I've been fortunate to suffer no pressure from anyone in my life to produce children. It wouldn't go well for any challengers, but I am glad no one bothers. No one cares. They want me to be happy, fulfilled, and free. They understand my desire for freedom that is above all else.