How I Chose the Size of My Family
5 Families Share How They Decided How Many Kids They Wanted to Have
Why We Decided Not to Have Kids
When Andy Watkins, 38, and his future wife, Nicole, 33, met in Akron, OH, they were pretty sure almost instantly that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together. About a year into dating, when they started talking about the prospect of having kids, they knew for sure.
For Nicole, having children was not in the cards and in Andy she had finally found a partner who supported that choice. "I felt relieved and was so happy once we finally talked about it!" Nicole said. "I was already so in love with him that when we started getting serious I told him if he didn't feel the same way, we should probably break up."
There was no question about what to do for Andy. "We just don't like children," he said. "I realize that's pretty straightforward. And while we have friends that have some cute kids, it's just not for us." Knowing they were on the same page on the baby issue, the two married in September 2013, and four years later they made their decision final when Andy had a vasectomy.
Andy and Nicole are confident in their choice, and when people intrusively ask them when they'll have kids, they deal with it simply and directly and move on. "There's nothing more to talk about on that issue!" Andy said.
Their families also eventually came around to the decision — with Nicole's taking a little longer. However, as Nicole said, "We are fulfilled in our lives, with our marriage, friends, and hobbies. We weren't going to have kids so everyone else could be happy." She added, with a laugh, "Plus, I like sleeping and money."
Aside from human children, though, Andy and Nicole are not without a pack of their own. "We do have two perfect fur babies, Gemma and Tank!" Andy said.
