Summary: Welcome back to Episode #31 of The Daily Interaction podcast. Today's topic is how respond to and interact with the inevitable baby or children question that is either implied or direct, if you have opted out of the procreation process for now or altogether. So if you don't want to have babies, for the moment or ever, first I have news for you: You are perfectly fine, and even better than fine, so stop doubting your sanity or well-being. Got that? Ok, moving on! Second, you can still live a perfectly full life - which, by the way, is entirely possible so long as you believe it and choose it. So when it comes to practical matters like going about your life in a society filled with people who generally do have children, how do you respond and do so with poise, style, grace and the utmost respect to those who question your choice, even if it is none of their business, which it never ever is but it still happens. How do you stand your ground and hold your position on the matter and still befriend and connect with people who disagree with you? People choose to have children for many different reasons, maybe to have those baby showers or nurture the need to take care of someone that is a part of them or to just have the experience. The reasons vary and multiply and you can never know all the reasons people have children, but that does not obligate you to A) have children and B) to have any reason for not wanting children, much less a sound logical reason. It is really important to realize that you have freedom of choice, as does everyone else. You can choose to live with or without children and the reasons can be yours, personal and private and always kept inside, if need be. You do not need to share your reasons. You are your own unique person and what you do with your life and more importantly, your body, is your business and yours alone. The day that you let others dictate what is best for you will mark the beginning of your deep-rooted unhappiness so be proud to think and decide for yourself and do so by staying true to who you are and more importantly, whom you want to become. The Daily Interaction is now also available on Stitcher. If you have a Smartphone, this is the ultimate way to listen to podcasts. Download this awesome app for free! The iTunes Page: Subscribe & download! The RSS Feed: Follow the Feed! Your Weekly Friday Show Notes: 1. Why this topic came about and why I feel so passionate talking to you today about having the baby conversation in public, in social events and as you go about your life and run into people who may question your choice for opting out. 2. First of four myths that I bust, the reasons I give you, and the specific responses I give you that will be both kind and engaging and still extremely fair to you. Plus, these responses make you feel good, rather than ashamed or as an outcast. 3. What is the most important thing to pay attention to when you are formulating your answers to the baby question. Don't miss this one. 4. A special tip when you are dealing with your parents, or especially your mom and/or mother-in-law, and what to take into account in these conversations. 5. The second myth that I bust by using myself as a perfect example and I give away a bit more information than usual but it was necessary to share this with you for credibility. Plus, the special case of my poor uncle and the Iranian influence on the importance of having children in every single marriage under the sun. 6. Sharing the personal incident with my mom and how much we disagree on this topic. 7. The third myth which is my favorite to bust, because it is the most ridiculous assumption to make about people who choose not to have children, and how I crush this myth for you by showing you how it does not serve you well. 8. The debate on selfishness, and why it's neither selfish to have children or to not have children,
