I totally understand. My clock is ticking too, deafening loud. I just have to take comfort in everything happens for a reason, and if I end up without children, I was meant for something other than motherhood. I just don’t know what it is.

Sherry, as usually brilliant comment. I do look forward to your comments and am waving hello to you

The struggle did intensify around age 40, as I recall. I even took clomid for a brief period in a last-ditch attempt. Fortunately it was probably already too late because it didn’t work.

I say “fortunately” because in the end I’m very, very glad I never had kids. I’m a really nice person. But I would be a lousy mother. I can barely take care of myself. At this point I’m finally enjoying some quality of life and the last thing I’d want to do would be to embark upon a Herculean task. I really just want to plant a garden and look at the daisies. I figure I’ve earned it–I just spent 30 years raising my self.

Parenting isn’t for every one. It’s a marathon, for one thing, and I’m so clearly a sprinter.

When I see what most of my friends are going through with their adult kids (family feuds or simply not much in common) I am very glad I don’t have kids.

Good luck with this. It’s a toughie, although it does tend to resolve itself over time. Probably if I’d had kids I’d be writing that I was glad I did that. It’s one of those pesky “there’s no right answer” questions.

When he does respond you drive him away…

You confuse me Liz

At 42, I have not met the man with whom I either should or would want a child with. My mother tells me this is just as well, as I am a recovering alcoholic and, well “That other business.”

Meaning my Bipolar II with side orders diagnoses!

When I think about having kids, the first thing that always pops in my head is always whether or not I’d want to risk having a child who’d suffer the same depression and anxiety as I. I’m not crazy about the idea.