Struggling to decide—Kate

Every time a family member or friend announces they are expecting a baby, I am overwhelmed with sadness and helplessness. I know I am meant to say congratulations, but I don’t feel happy.

I would love to have a baby, but I am struggling to justify bringing a new person into a world that faces climate change and overpopulation.

I don’t feel like I can share my feelings with the majority of my friends and family. I have tried to explain my perspective to my parents and it made them sad, and they have continued to encourage me to have kids regardless.

I have always wanted to have children and I still do. My husband wants to have a baby. We have considered adopting. I am trying to persuade myself that it would not be wrong to have a child, but I am struggling.

I think having a child is an act of optimism. Having a child suggests that you believe the world will be a good place to grow up in for decades ahead. I want to be optimistic.