Wow, vilified for not having kids and consuming massive amounts of crap.

[huellewig]

My aunt (visiting) and mother just went bat-shit crazy over my lack of interest in making babies and buying shit I don't need. I missed the memo. Apparently we are now defined by how much wealth the neighbors perceive we have. Well fuck it. The next time they ask "How is work?" my response will be "My mother is fine". Fuck..Fuck..Fuck..And Fuck you Too..

</rant>

[Skittles]

1. try to ignore people who attempt to live vicariously through you

save yourself the grief

[huellewig]

4. Both of them made babies and have tons of crap..

They just freaked when they saw an air mattress on the floor surrounded by two computers and a TV. OOOH, I also have about four boxes full of crap I gathered from my travels. 27 years and my life could fit in the back of a Volvo. They think I failed. I think they failed. What a sad life when you are defined buy your eBay savvy.

PS: and they leave in the morning so I can go back to living my life the way I want to without criticism.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. My parents visited my husband and me once

where we live now. They freaked because of the rutted road, the small cabin, hauling water, and the composting toilet (think that grossed them out the most).

[Lady Effingbroke]

9. It is sad when people measure success solely by how many possessions

that they can accumulate and how well they are keeping up with the neighbors. Own a lot of crap, and it ends up owning you.

[punpirate]

2. Wecome to the new century's version...

... of keeping up with the Joneses....

Smile, and ignore. :)

[tjwmason]

3. I'm sure you will do anyway

But live your life yourself.

I can't sproglets coming in my direction anytime, but I'm sure that I'll become a highly indulgent uncle.

As for conspicuous consuption, you'll need every penny you can lay your hands on if you want to retire...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. You could answer them this way:

I don't feel that contributing to the overpopulation of the planet is a good thing right now. With diminishing resources, I think it is best to do with what I need and not get a lot of items that aren't necessary. After all, at one point in our history, thrift was considered a virtue.

I, too, have no children and try to keep my spending down. I've used the argument above (adding names of my great-grandparents to the last sentence to add impact). Usually this will shut up critics.

[REP]

7. I Hate To Say It, But Get Used It

Even perfect strangers will feel compelled to lecture you about your reproductive status, especially if you're female, but even men get hassled for not contributing to the overpopulation and overconsumption of the planet. Hold your ground! You are most definitely not alone. Your reproductive life is your business (but I will add a Good For You! anyway).

If she's so desperate for a baby, tell her about the reproductive technology that allows postmenopausal women to carry a pregnancy to term. She can have her own baby and leave you alone!

My favorite is to look real sad and say that I can't have children. That usually shuts them up. It's true, too - a tubal ligation damn sure better make having children impossible!

[Pool Hall Ace]

8. Sorry about the grief you're getting.

Some folks just can't deal with anyone who deviates from life's script. My husband and I have no interest in either parenting or amassing crap, but some people just don't want to accept that.

When one of my co-workers asked when we were going to have kids (We've been married for 4 months), I told her that I had thought it over for quite some time, and after much careful consideration, decided that parenting was not for me, and that I married a man who neither had nor wanted children.

Her response? "You better hurry up and have kids before you decide you don't want them!"

The problem isn't you. It's them.

[Freebird12004]

10. Zero population growth was once an acceptable choice

It still is !

[BiggJawn]

11. The TRUE value of your worth....

Is decided by just how many bicycles you own.

I don't understand this "thing" we have in our culture of being looked at as less-than-human if you aren't reproducing.
I just don't get it.

Well, I'm off to dust my 12 bikes and decide which one I'm riding this afternoon.....:7

[LynneSin]

12. The greatest thing that ever happened to me....

...was when my mother remarried and gained a stepdaughter who decided to do that whole motherhood thing. She had 3 kids and even stayed at home to raise them. She was the daughter my mother always wanted but I refused to give her.

Not that my mother loves me any less. She realizes that I'm here on earth for another purpose other than to "Be Fruitful and Multiply" She's a smart woman!!