Additional Coverage:
- My 3 daughters all decided to put being a mother on hold. I’m devastated that I might not get to be a grandmother. (newsbreak.com)
Local Mom Reflects on Daughters’ Decisions to Delay Parenthood
As a mother of three adult daughters, I know firsthand that raising children is no easy task. I always wanted to be a mom, but the road to motherhood was a difficult one for me. Now, my daughters are adults, and their decisions about having children have brought up complicated emotions for me.
None of my daughters are planning on having children anytime soon. One daughter is leaning towards adoption, feeling drawn to help older children in need of homes.
Another is unsure, considering the possibility of one biological child but also recognizing the challenges of adoption as an LGBTQ+ person. My third daughter hopes to have a family eventually, but career aspirations are currently taking priority.
Their decisions are part of a larger trend. Birth rates have been declining, with many young adults choosing not to have children at all.
While I support my daughters’ choices, I admit to feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of not becoming a grandmother. My journey to motherhood was a long and arduous one, filled with fertility treatments, miscarriages, and ultimately, IVF. It’s difficult for me to reconcile my intense desire to become a mother with my daughters’ differing perspectives.
The idea of grandparenthood feels like the reward for years of hard work raising children. The possibility of missing out on that experience is definitely a disappointment.
However, I know my daughters don’t owe me grandchildren. The joy of watching them become the incredible women they are today has been an immense gift. Although I may privately grieve the grandchildren I may never have, I’m committed to supporting my daughters in their decisions, whatever they may be.