I accepted I can't have children, but there are many in my life - I do not think my bipolar would have been an issue......

We all do the best we can, it sounds as your choice gives you peace - just like mine. That is what is important..... peace with our own choices!

You don't need to explain your children decision to me. Some people want to be parents and some people don't. I will say that BP or not, we're all responsible for our own decisions. That can be sad, for sure.

I made the same choice you did & im good with it.

All the best to you

I made the choice not to have children when I was 16 but my reason was not due to my BP because at that time I was undiagnosed. The reason for me was that I came from a very abusive, physically, emotionally & verbally home life which included a lot of negelect also.

I was petrified I would somehow pass this same abuse onto my own child so I dared not risk it. As it turned out I didn't need to worry about it as it later came to light due to a medical condition I could not have children anyway.

I have had to end a couple of relationships due to the chid issue and it is something that is hard for someone who is not dealing with those demons to be abe to understand I think.

I am the proud mother to my little yorkie and have been for 9 years and I spoil him rotten, he is all I really need.

I made a choice not to have children as well for more then one reason...

I too have a long line of family with many mental issues, I witnessed a lot of things as a kid, love, compassion, and anger management can't be found on that list. I have debated with the idea of having children given my life experiences and I know that I would not chose to become a parent at this time. If later in life I think I have better control over my life and emotions I might rethink it but personally I think I was placed on this earth to be a dead end branch on the family tree.
We all have to make our own choices and I wouldn't wish my life on my worst enemy least of all my own children. I can respect your decision.

Thank you all for your responses. Its easy to feel like an outsider when ever I tell others that I don't want to be mother. Everyone I know either has children already or plans to have them. Most laugh and say that I will change my mind eventually.

I will say that being bipolar isn't the only reason I've chosen to not have kids, but it is the most pressing one. What makes it so hard for me is the fact that a small, but very persistent part of me would like to have my own children... One can't always suppress natural desires. My ex knew that and tried to push the issue, which I didn't think was fair.

I'm not exactly at peace with my decision, don't know if I ever really will be, but I stand by it.

children are not even an option for me. I will not put a child through watching me deteriorate from this sickness.

I have the same mind set as you and a lot of people have a problem with it. It hasn't changed my mind one bit but I still get funny looks or just weird feelings from people when I tell them I don't want kids and the reasons behind them. It makes me feel judged but then again what can we do as people who make a decision about that? It's our choice and choice alone. My family history isn't too kind with people with mental illness either (depression, bipolar disorder and suicide runs rampant) and I don't want to pass that to my children. Just know that you are not the only one that has made that choice. I have made that one as well.

When i was married i wanted a baby. Then i got divorced and ibecame very much the opposite. When i was dxd with cancer in 2007, part of my treatment was bhaving a hysterectomy. I mourned the loss of having a choice for about six mos. I am ok with it now. I too was raised in an abusive home (and the mental abuse continues even though i am 41). I willadmit that i would not make a good mom because of my lack of patience. I also would notwant to risk having a mini me. Not just because of bipolar, but the cancers i have had, along with alot of other issues i deal with. If i everstart feeling sad that i never had a child, i just take a stroll thru Walmart at its busiest time of day. I hear ten kids screaming at once and i thank God i never had any lolol....

I think it's a huge benefit to an unborn child is you know you'd suck as a mother and I would have sucked as a mom so God bless that child that I never had

I want a huge family! And If it turns out I have bipolar babies, then I would say, no shit, ME, too! and teach them very early on how to cope.

I too chose not to risk passing on this horrible illness to potential kids. I also knew I would be a very inconsistent mother. You are not alone and I think you have made a very wise and responsible decision.

no kids but i know i would have made a great father and mom if ness...

but yeah sounds like we all have a square idea that its just not necessary sometimes to bring new life into these latter days ...

I admire and respect your decision, Bree. It's great that you do what's best for ((you))

I have 5 children...

When I was younger, as in grade school/high school age, I had my mind set on never having children. Not because of BP, (I wasn't diagnosed until MUCH later in life) but I suppose being the oldest of 4kids, I knew how much work kids were.

Alas, I fell in love, and started a family... 2 children from that marriage. I love them dearly. I also had a miscarriage. That marriage ended, and soon I married again...

Drs told me I wouldn't be able to conceive again and if I did, it would be dangerous... 2 miracle children in that marriage, were born. That marriage also ended...I love those children also.

A short time after that marriage ended, I had a short term relationship, and became pregnant again, but had another miscarriage.

Then, another short term relationship, and at 37 years old, I found myself pregnant again ... and at 38 years old, 8 years after the bathing my 4th child, my baby girl was born. I also love her dearly.

I then had a tubal ligation. I love all my children dearly, but decided that I was getting too old for having any more... and apparently birth control wasn't working for me.

I'm a single mom. It's not been easy, but I am blessed with 5 beautiful children. They all have their own personality, and yes, I'm suspicious that my chemical imbalances have passed on in some degree. But also, they have many positive traits, that have benefited and blessed others. My prayers are that they may learn to embrace and channel they unique qualities and live happily.

I wouldn't trade them for anything. I believe God gives us what we need, not what we always want, and can turn what bad choices into blessing if we get true to ourselves, and be faithful to Him.