#12: Why is the Baby Decision Harder Than Ever?

How this already monumental decision has become harder than ever, PLUS Clara guest-edits our Weekly REPORT!

The decision to (try) having children and motherhood: topics I have been desperate to talk about publicly, but also dreading at the same time.

In a way, attempting to share any thoughts on these topics publicly feels a lot like a big game of Jenga; not only precarious, should you tug at the wrong piece and it all tumbles down as the internet judges you, but also rewarding to stack some new, albeit wobbly, pieces of perspective to build a more comprehensive overlook than previously existed.

It’s feels especially intimidating to talk about the process while you’re still in it, because it feels like once you share your thoughts on anything, you are held under an oath to see it through. People who thought you declared your undying allegiance to the child-free crowd suddenly take it as a personal offense when there’s a pregnancy announcement, and others who thought you were definitely in the echelon of ‘budding parent’ see it as a personal challenge when you surmise that, perhaps, you don’t want children after all (“you’ll change your mind!”). For the sake of our need as a collective to un-taboo talking about this nuanced decision and stop judging each other so harshly for our choices, I’m finally sharing some of my thoughts and where I’m at in the process.