Babies + Privacy|

This blog post has been a long time coming. It's been a plethora of emotions, conversations and qualifying my emotions about the subject.

I don't know if it's because we live in a society where privacy is a luxury only few demand or because it's fun to only show people the highlight reel of your life, but it's never been more clarifying to me.

I cannot count, nor do I wish to, the number of times, that people have asked me about having kids. And what's most interesting about it, is that people not only think it's funny, they think that it's original. They think their funny quip or offhanded joke will make me laugh.

Something I have always prided myself in, is my ability to be candid. What has come with age, is that along with that candidness, is my loss of propriety. I genuinely do not value others opinions about how I should live my life. That is included in giving your opinion of when and how and where I should procreate.

It's invasive, it's insincere and it's not your business.

Maybe it was funny the first time. I coyly laughed it off and moved on with the conversation. But nothing feels more degrading then feeling like your value is determined on whether or not you bear children.

People who have children, I applaud you. I celebrate your day in and day out dedication. People who do not have children, I also applaud you. You are brave in your own capacity. You find value in other things, and that is ok.

So the next time you are tempted to make an offhanded joke to someone about their lives, stop yourself. Instead ask them what inspires them. Ask them what has been the most exciting moment of their year. Let's respect people's privacy and celebrate them.