At YSN we spend most of the time talking about your life and career, but for a lot of people, there’s a big white elephant in room any time career plans come up: What about starting a family?
Whether you are not even thinking about parenthood, starting to consider it, seriously contemplating it, working on it or already proud, happy parents, what do you have to say about how and when children fit into your life or the lives of young professionals? Some of YSN’s members, colleagues and close friends have already chimed in:
“The way I see it, my company is my child — it was a colicky infant, and now it’s starting to walk, though it occasionally falls on its butt. However, it is now speaking complete sentences!” – Jennifer Iannolo, food media entrepreneur, mid-30s, no kids
“I think they’re a fabulous source for drive and inspiration. So much of what we professionals do we do for them (or at least that’s what we tell ourselves)! On the flip side, we also observe them day in/day out, and find that we take ideas and use them in the business world. They tend to put things in perspective by stating the obvious and thereby keeping things simple.” – Oliver Brenninkmeyer, entertainment/consumer products, early-40s, three kids
“The thought of having kids scares the crap out of me! For mainly two reasons: 1.) I can’t even afford myself, so how could I afford a child and 2.) My wants and needs would have to take the backseat to the kids and my life would no longer be all about me and the luxury of doing what I want when I want. Even though this sounds a bit selfish, I feel like at 25 it shouldn’t be any different… speaking only for me of course. I guess, the bottom-line here is that financially and emotionally I am nowhere near ready for kids!” – Katie Ketchum, customer support manager, 25, no kids
“I don’t want kids, neither does my husband. We love our nieces and nephews and often play for hours with our friends’ kids, but we have never felt that pang in our hearts that allegedly signals a desire to procreate. We love to travel, a lot. Sometimes it’s a last minute weekend getaway, sometimes it’s a planned week-long trip, and every month since we’ve met my husband surprises me with a ‘full moon’ date. I’d hate to think a lack of a baby sitter could disrupt a seven-year tradition. We also want to retire in our 40s (yes, it’s possible) so that we can travel the world, stopping in a tropical or exotic locale for months at a time, years if it’s fabulous! I plan to write about our travels and I cannot wait! As we will have no heirs to worry about, we plan to spend our hard earned savings on ourselves, traveling the world. Our favorite thing to tell people is that we hope our check to the gravedigger bounces!” – Angela Moore, late-30s, publicist, no kids
“Well I’m barely 21 but the only babies that are going to be in my near future have four legs, tails and are covered in fur. Scooping litter is as close as I’m going to get to changing diapers in the next decade, and that’s plenty of work for me. – Bianca Vance, product development, 21, no kids
“Representing the young 20-something workaholic I would say the only way I’m ready to have kids is by accident. Just call me Uncle Josh.” – Joshua Hoppes, director of operations, late-20s, no kids
“When your kid walks into your office, sits down at your desk and calls it HIS (just like you did when you were a kid), you immediately realize how lucky you are and that there is no better feeling in the world!” – Doug Kushell, franchise recruiter, early-40s, one kid
