It’s wild that people don’t understand how a woman can like kids but not want them. Like, of course I am happy to talk to and watch out for this little weird person that someone I love created, but that doesn’t mean I want one. Stop devaluing the importance of aunts goddamnit
I have kids, i have a friend that doesn't and a sister that doesn't. There is nothing wrong with not wanting kids.
I’m an aunt and have also been a teacher. I was the eldest of 7 children and of 28 cousins. I did lots of looking after babies and children growing up. I didn’t need more of my time spent that way let alone being subject to a man and lose professional opportunity to do so
I never wanted kids; people labeled me as a kid hater. 😆 People would be aghast, asking, "who will take care of YOU when you're old?!?" (really?!?) "you're selfish!" (uh, hello over-population) etc. Just ignore the idiots; it's hard, I know. Stick to what YOU want. I have no regrets.
having a child because you were pressured into it would be terrible for the child. good for you
This was in the 1970s, so the mandate was pretty much: marry, have babies ... My coworker was baffled at why; I would see her years later and she said, "oh I understand NOW". Her son (only child) laid around all day on her couch, totally worthless. 😝
Ditto.
Thank you for the auntie shout out! ❤️❤️❤️ I was free to met them on their level even if it was the floor. I also read Potter (pre author anti trans rants 🤬). Best moment of auntie hood: “Auntie I wish I would get an invitation to Hogwarts” in sweet whisper. “Me too” Oh the 👀 he gave me! 😍
I think a lot of people don't understand liking kids generally but not wanting them, because they only like their kids because they're "theirs". Like the idea of caring about people who do nothing for/have nothing to offer you is strange to them. Something about the breakdown of society/community.
We’ve lost the “it takes a village” mindset. I am a mother to none and an aunt to many (genetically and/or by choice). I’m also great with and prefer pets to people, too
One of the best relationships I ever had with a kid was with my friend's kid Joel. He came home from school one day in a foul mood, and everyone asked how he was and he gave them a thumbs down, then he spotted me and lit up and yelled Ben! and ran over to give me a hug Never felt so validated
When a kid just takes to you, it makes you think "I must be an ok person, or it wouldn't make their day when they see me" He's taller than me now
I also taught him a few chords on guitar and not to close his eyes whenever he's trying to hit a ball. I threw him a ball and he kept his eyes on it, like I said, and he knocked it out of the park. Best feeling ever. He was so chuffed.
Anyway, final thought, you don't need to be a parent to be a massively good influence in a kid's life
I know you know that, I was just wrapping up this seemingly aimless anecdote
🥹🥲😭💓
I think it's also because you see children as... individual little people. Yeah, your siblings' or friends' kids might be cool, if you have one, you would be having a completely different person. I have kids, but I have seen people who act like having a baby is like getting a pet & it's weird.
Aunts are the best! They can provide an adult presence that parents can’t.
It’s “rent a kid” so when they r squalling or dirty hand them back to Mom
The world has way too many people--I for one applaud all the childless aunties.
65 and also never regretted my decision to be child-free. I knew that’s what I wanted literally by the time I was 5.
45 and knew from early childhood as well. Absolutely no regrets--quite the opposite. After spending years in a relationship with a parent, I intensely value my freedom to walk away from an asshole of any age.
Crazy boundary pushing Aunts are the best. “Who bought the kids this set of drums “ “You are WHERE with the kids “ “ I know Aunt … showed you , but she shouldn’t have” I salute you ❤️❤️
I always say I’m good with kids because I know when I go home there’s not one in my house.
Thank you!! I've been told for years by women that I mustn't like children. Pisses me off
I'm 73 and I have never regretted not having children. I have heard all the ignorant questions. No regret.
Same.
I heard somewhere that if you want to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, get a dog. They're cheaper and you get more feet.
My nieces and nephews are all adults now. I love to spill the unknown family tea to them. I'm that uncle. Of course, my kids had the tea as soon as they could understand it.
🔥🔥🔥
Terrific Aunts and Uncles make children’s lives better. My Aunt sent me a birthday card every year until I returned from my first deployment. Now I send my nieces and nephews a card and a little something every birthday and every Christmas to honor her.
Proud uncle here, thank you for posting this.
Uncles matter so much. I owe a great debt to the uncles that paid me attention and love growing up. They still mean more than I can say
Being an aunt has been a highlight in my life. One of my nephews asked me once, when he was about 10, if he could speak at my funeral. #TrueLove
Yes! Amen!!
Important to remember that many people are idiots, even the smart ones.
Oh common.....our grifter in chief says that kids only need 2 dolls. You don't have to worry about food security, wages, saving for a child's education: Trump will provide 😵💫
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I was a kid. I remember. Nope. I'm out.
My child-free sister is a wonderful aunt to her nieces and nephews; my child-free daughter a superb aunt to my grandchildren. Both are child-free by choice.
I tried to be that aunt. But, my sister decided that I was unable to be a good aunt to them because I didn’t have kids. No problem, except she decided that I should be the one chasing her kids around my house & getting mad at me if I got upset with them.
Sounds like a double edged sword, lose-lose situation
I can relate to this too. Why would a parent want other people to take on responsibility but lack trust when the kid(s) are needing to be gently corrected or disciplined. It’s like saying “Be the fun person for my kid(s) even if they start to disrespect you”
Very true
Aunties are the best, as I sit watching my niece showing her favorites games and books 🥰
i was never in a good place (mentally or relationship-wise) to have one. that should count for something
Proud Auntie to my brother and sister's children...get all the fun and then return them. Thankfully didn't screw them up...
My kid-free sister is 1000x better at being aunt than the one with two kids of her own. ❤️
Self awareness is key. Aunts/ uncles are still so important. It takes a goddamn village, man. I’m more than happy to be a supporting character
Her long time boyfriend is also a way better BIL than the dude who actually chose to marry into the family. He never wanted kids either. I can’t imagine what kind of mom I’d be without my big sister 🥹❤️
(Me thinking … I hope your sisters aren’t following you on Bluesky 😅)
Hahaha only the older one. We’re good 
Phew 😘
Makes perfect sense to me
Oh my God, the auntie is the most important person in a child’s life.
I had 3 miscarriages. I became very close to my neices and nephew. There is a place for us. 😁
I grew up as a middle child in family with 20+ cousins. It really took a village, and there are several aunts and uncles that left such a mark it lives on in me until I go. It’s an important place, even if it’s not told in the main pop culture narrative
I love being an aunt. Having kids just never worked out. My job at the library gives the all the kid time I want, but not the responsibility. Now looking back with my depression, it's better this way. Some days I wouldn't be the mom I knew I could be. Now I'm Auntie and Library Lady. Dope
My childfree aunt was my absolute favourite person as a child.
40% of humans historically have not had children. No point in trying to convince people that it’s “natural”.
you’re telling someone/an audience that already knows and doesn’t need to hear it but I get it
The percentage was most significant info. Most people don’t realize it is that high.
Idk why this is so weird for some people- I had childless great aunts and that was when not having kids was much less acceptable. Our kids have a kickass collection of parent and non-parent aunties and uncles and it’s awesome.
It takes a freaking village
My daughters’ favorite aunt chose to not have children herself. I’d never want to change her and she is an infinitely important person in the lives of my kids. Don’t ever change who you are and never devalue who you want to be.
being an Aunt was the best job ever. and you have less time to be one once you have your own kids. and being a parent is the hardest job.
It is, which is why supporting them is really super important. That should be valued over “okay so make your own kids now because that’s all society wants from you” etc— let women do what they want, especially when it’s supporting other women and their kids
yes, in any case, support the woman making her choices
the best aunts always have gum or Werther's in their pocket
I got candy on the ready always
People who think there's one "path to happiness" are annoying People who have kids are happy People who don't are happy
People will lecture women either way, I’ve realized
Yeah lot of people love to yap their fat mouth 🙄
This is a thing both mothers and non-mothers can bond over
And to people that generally don’t love kids: “But you’ll love your own!” Well, yes I would, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good life choice for me. I also love most cats and dogs, I cannot have them all. And I loved people who abused me. Love is not compatibility.
I think “you’ll love your own” tropes create a lot of pressure and as a result can also create toxic parents tbh
❤️❤️❤️ Thank you 🙏 to all the aunties that help share the heavy load of child rearing 😮💨
Cool aunties are part of the village necessary to raise that new human.
god 👏🏻 damn 👏🏻 right 👏🏻
No regrets about not having kids—never wanted them. I get all the fun with my niece: introducing her to ballet, live theatre, concerts, and great restaurants… with none of the responsibilities. Just fun, sugar, great talks, and a graceful exit.
I have kids. I have niblings (niece and nephews). Being an aunt is so great; you can GIVE THEM BACK! also, 2 of my 3 kids don't want kids. I think that's great. 1 kid does. That's also great. Plenty of people have great lives with no kids, idk why some people disagree.
🥹🥲 this is the way
"Niblings" 🥰
Exactly this !!!!
Both of my kids have stated a desire to be the cool onto uncle, but don’t want kids of their own. I’m sure they’ll figure out some way to make that work! And I’m sure they’ll be great at it.
*aunt or uncle Damn it… we need edit capability
I totally understand. In fact I told both of our kids don’t have children unless you’re sure want them as you can’t put them back and we’re not taking them. Neither of them are having kids.
👍 agreed
I think my friends' kids recognize me as a compatriot against the tyranny of people who refuse to acknowledge that the floor is lava
This is the way Also, I like to think of myself as a bit of a blanket fort savant. I have a blanket forte, if you will.
My goal is to be a bad influence in the best possible way. Color outside the lines, dance while in line at the grocery store, tell obnoxious people "my that was quite a thing to say!" then fart in their general direction.
YES
aunts ru!e
I never wanted kids. As in never ever. I am this planets greatest aunt ever! How do I know? They got me a T-Shirt that says, “The greatest aunt on Earth”. 🌍 I’m a surrogate aunt to my friends kids. I love kids…I just want to give them back.
and some of us don't want kids and don't like kids- we don't even want to be aunties!
Amen. I made a great aunt. I would've made a lousy mom.
Yep. And uncles. I never had kids. I'm good with that, the right choice for me.
100% agree. This is me!!!
PREACH
Having grandchildren -- I see them as more people to worry about. Yet I love them so much. Motherhood is tough. Thank you for clear thinking and courage to say this.
I tend to not enjoy children too much but adore my own who had a lot of friends so I deal. Lucky she gets to deal with her own kids now 🤷🏻♀️
also, i understand that i have a place in "the village" it takes to raise a kid, but if your kid is a maniac because you suck ass, i aint gonna do shit but the bare minimum.
This aunt is lucky to not have been devalued that way and supports you 100%+. Aunthood is great!
I’m not devalued by my sister or her kids at least 😌
Yes!!! If we stopped pressuring women to create tiny humans if they did not wish to do so, the next generation would be a lot less traumatized.
My mom actually asked me today if I ever regretted not having children. She was genuinely surprised when I said, "not for a second. "
I can admire and appreciate boobs but I don't want my own. Same thing right?
No. Not the same thing but thanks for playing
I love cheese but I wouldn't want to make my own... Wait I think I'm getting closer
Hear! Hear!
All families need the cool aunt.
My nieces have told me that they will take care of me when I can no longer take care of myself. They love me like they were my own…because they are. #iluvmynieces2pieces 😍😍😍😍😍
Aunts are the best!!
When you’re a child, there is something so special about an adult who doesn’t HAVE to love you because she isn’t your mom - but she loves you anyway. Mothers teach us unconditional love, and aunts show us how it feels to be loved on purpose, with choice and intent. Both are beautiful.