Today I’m going to talk about something uncomfortable

Do you have friends or colleagues who don’t have children?

Here’s some things not to say

Thread...

1/n

When are you going to start a family?

We are a family... and it’s none of your business

Family ≠ children

2/n

How old are your kids?
Do you have kids?

Believe me: if someone has kids, they’ll tell you within 15 min. If they haven’t said anything: stay out of it.

3/n

‘Have you thought about adoption?’

Of course not. You’re the only fucking genius in the world who’s had that idea... because adoption is a top secret, isn’t it?

4/n

‘You can work Christmas/ half term/school holidays’

Well... you will do your fair share at Christmas

Just like you don’t get out of your fair share of weekends

I don’t care that you have football practice for kids. You also have a job

My weekends are important too

5/n

You won’t understand kids...

I love kids, and most like me back

Not having kids doesn’t mean my life isn’t full of kids- patients, friends’ kids, nephews & nieces

I’d like to think I understand them fine. I won’t give you parenting advice... and you shut up

6/n

‘Who will look after you when you get old?’

Are you raised a bonded labourer? Or a slave?

Seriously?

7/n

‘You’ll never know true love until you have a child’

Who the fuck made you the love guru? Who decided what ‘true love’ is

8/n

TL:DR

People who don’t have kids are human. And equal to everyone else

Don’t patronise them, and don’t think you know what they want

And (just for you @SamuelBS85 ) be kind

@DrIranitin @iceman_ex

I didn’t expect this thread to go viral

Thank you for your support, and comments

This was triggered by a recent conversation, and years of micro aggressions

in my current workplace, we are all very friendly and supportive, and holidays etc are divided up fairly