How to Explain to your Partner You Don’t Want Children

If you’re not interested in having children, you may be anxious about telling your partner that you don’t want children. Especially if you think that there’s a strong chance that your partner wants children or that the issue of having children may be a potential deal-breaker for your partner.

Pick the Right Moment

Make sure to choose the right moment to sit down and have a proper conversation. As your partner is unlikely to take your news well if you try to tell them your thoughts on having children when they’re in a rush to get to work or if you’re out in public.

Instead, it’s a wise idea to break your news to your partner when you’re enjoying a lazy evening at home and are in no rush to go anywhere. That way your partner will be more likely to be able to give their full focus to your discussion.

Tell Them You Care

You may want to start off your challenging conversation by telling your partner how much you care about them so that you start off your conversation on a positive note.

Be Honest and Open

Instead of hinting about the fact that you’re not interested in having children, make sure that you get straight to the point and tell your partner upfront that having kids isn’t in your future plans.

Be Prepared for a Wide Variety of Reactions

Even if you think you know your partner well, you may be surprised by their reaction to your news. Your partner may even ask for time alone, in order to process your news. It’s well worth being emotionally prepared for any eventuality.

Your Partner May Try to Change Your Mind

Remember to be honest with your partner. If there is no chance that you’ll ever want children, make sure that you make this clear to your partner. As in the long run, if your partner decides to stay with you in the hopes that you’ll change your mind about having children, they may end up being severely disappointed.

Tell Them Your Reasons

While you shouldn’t feel as if you need to explain your choice, if you share the reasons behind your choice to your partner, they may have an easier time understanding your decision. As an example, you may share with your partner the fact that you have no paternal or maternal instinct or that you love the freedom that being childfree gives you.

If you’re honest and loving when you share your news with your partner, there is a high chance that they’ll remain by your side. Especially if having kids is not one of their deal breakers as it’s possible to have a loving family and a fulfilling life without having kids.