I have never wanted kids & I always let potential partners know that when I first start dating them, which is why further on down the line I have had to end relationships, because they started wanting kids & I just didn't think it was fair to stay in a relationship where I would hold them back from this. I have a nephew & niece who I looked after since they were kids. I was always super strict with them but we also had lots of fun. They now view me as their trendy aunt & they invite me out to nights out drinking with friends & they come to me for advice, so I must have done something right. I also have friends with kids & I baby sit for them & take us all for days out. I like hanging around with kids because I'm a big kid myself but I also value my own freedom.

I too am terrified of having children. I'm 46 now without birth control. I just got recently diagnosed, and that seems to make sense now. I was sick my entire life. I know now that my brothers have it too. They fight and drink every weekend with an inflated sense of self. My one brother raised his children just horrible! He always wanted them to think like him no matter what! Needless to say they are with their mentally ill mother now. I've wanted the doctors to take my insides out, but there has to be a reason. I'm so old anymore but their is a small chance that I don't want to take. What about birth control and moods and meds I just don't know. I'm proud of you iam for considering this before hand,...you're a brave woman. Good for you!

I had my daughter before I was "officially" diagnosed. I always thought that I was too selfish to have a child and that I would make a horrible mom. Forward to age 26...my daughter is born. She is LITTLE, she is colicky and my husband (at the time) is NO help. A year and a half later hubby and I are divorced, I'm in a new town with my baby and completely depressed. I can firmly say right now that if I hadn't had my daughter...I probably won't be here. Know that little girl needed me, and loved me made me push through. When I was FINALLY diagnosed at 32 was great...I finally knew what was "wrong" all those years and began getting treatment. Then I found out that my daughter (6 at the time) was bipolar...it was like a ton of bricks. BUT I realized that I was UNIQUELY qualified to raise her...I could understand the things that she was experiencing, I could help her through the rough spots and lead her on the road to balance by enforcing the "medication ritual" - mommy takes her meds every day and so do you. My daughter's mental health became my #1 priority...making sure that she got all the help that she needed at school...keeping all of her therapy and doctor appointments...following through with ALL treatment and behavioral plans. Is it hard....ABSOLUTELY! Is it worth it....COMPLETELY!! I was through the process of keeping her balanced that I LEARNED the patience, LEARNED the nurturing and believe it or not...learned to become more stable myself.

It is every person's right to choose whether they want to become a parent...some choose not to. But for me it was the BEST thing that I have EVER done. Good luck with your decision!