I'm a proud, child-free cat lady. Children are still important to me — I just don't want any of my own.

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Christina Wyman smiling at the camera and holding one of her cats.
Christina Wyman says she's proud to be a child-free cat lady.

Courtesy of Christina Wyman

My parents told me they wouldn't support me financially, and I'm glad they didn't. It made me more budget-conscious.

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A man and woman exchanging U.S. currency.
A quick exchange of money

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I'm Gen Z with baby boomer parents. They are more focused on my professional success than wanting grandchildren.

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Sandrine Jacquot smiling and looking at the camera, she is sitting inside and has glasses on her head. A plant is behind her.
Sandrine Jacquot's parents aren't pressuring her to have kids.

Courtesy Sandrine Jacquot

My foster mother hated her first name. I found another way to honor her after she died.

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Nicole Johnson with her foster mother, Esther, when she was younger. They are standing outside a car.
Nicole Johnson's foster mother, Esther, made her promise not to name her kids after her.

Courtesy Nicole Johnson

We cuddle our kids to sleep. Our oldest is 9, and we don't plan to change our bedtime routine anytime soon.

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Melissa Noble and her son smiling while walking outside on a trail.
Melissa Noble and her husband cuddle with their kids before bed each night.

Courtesy Melissa Noble

I threw my son's Xbox out the window. Now, he's a national champion gamer playing for college scholarships.

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A boy wearing headphones is playing video games on a computer screen.

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My son is heading to college in the fall, and he's behaving worse than ever. I finally understand why.

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a teen boy in bed with his hand in a pizza box
The writer's son is misbehaving before he heads to college.

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I never wanted kids. My partner has a son, and it's been unexpectedly great.

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Woman with arm around teenage son, sitting at table, view from behind.
Alexandra Saville (not pictured) never wanted kids but was surprised by how much she enjoyed having a relationship with her partner's son.

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I decided not to have a second child and have no regrets. The benefits are just too good.

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Nicole Findlay and her son wearing red and white jerseys and smiling at the camera on a sunny day.
Nicole Findlay's son is an only child.

Courtesy Nicole Findlay

My dad is Black and my mom is white. I struggle to embrace my identity.

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A toddler with two parents.
The author says growing up, she didn't have a community to help her celebrate her biracial identity.

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