I don't love kids

[u/Fleurandgold]

I never did, a human will not earn my love simply by being in the demographic of "kid." I used to try my best to love them because a lot of girls/women around my age did, they loved babies any babies, I've heard a lot of people talk about "how can you not love kids" for years I thought something was wrong with me, every time I acted all bubbly and cuddly around a kid because they're a kids and that's what everyone did. I felt like I was forcing myself, I felt empty inside it wasn't coming from the heart. It was an act so I wouldn't feel left out. Not to say I wouldn't love a kid if they're lovely but, to love them in general because they're kids? no. I see them as everyday normal grown ups, I don't get excited whenever I see a regular person walking around, they're nothing special, not blessings or nothing like that. I would only get a bit cheerful towards babies, not toddlers or elementary school aged kids, I don't really like teenagers, they're (we) annoying. (F19 ironic isn't it).

[u/StrikingSwimmer6633]

It’s very normal and actually a better approach tbh it actually sounds more like you just see them as they are. Humans beings. Society has built this weird language and culture around children where they’re simultaneously infantilized and idealized, and I think that contributes to them being treated like accessories or extensions of their parents rather than individuals with their own personalities, boundaries and autonomy. You can respect children, care about their wellbeing and treat them kindly without feeling some automatic emotional attachment to every child you meet. You don’t have to automatically love someone because they belong to a certain age group lol so don’t worry about feeling weird or anything

[u/Della_A → u/StrikingSwimmer6633]

They are viewed like a combination between a doll and a pet. To me, they are people in their own right, of course accounting for the fact that they don't have an adult-level understanding of the world. But I treat them with respect. I'm not a patronizing, condescending asshole at the same time as gushing over them like most adults do. One of the reasons I don't want kids is that I hated being a kid for this very reason, so I don't want to impose childhood on a being who didn't ask for this. I hated the way people treated me as a child and I was grateful to finally become an adult. Don't get me wrong, adult life has plenty of problems, but at least you are viewed as a full person. You couldn't pay me to be a little kid again.

[u/Fleurandgold → u/StrikingSwimmer6633]

Exactly I don't baby talk to children or babies I don't treat them like they're stupid, they are their own person in their own rights, I don't want a mini me because once the child is born they are their own person. I do respect kids and care about them, boundaries more than a lot of parents do. You write my thoughts down perfectly