Don't worry about how others think. They are all secretly jealous because you can do whatever you want without worrying about children. You also get to spend your money on yourself only. It's good you didn't have any when you weren't ready. You have several years left.

I understand where you are coming from. After XH and I split, I felt like the odd one out. My SBro and SIL got married, bought a house, and got pregnant within two years of me splitting with XH, and it was brutal. It wasn't that I wasn't happy for them, because I was and it was their time, but I was watching someone else do what I had failed at doing, and I watched my mom and SF beam at their success. It hurts in a way that people shame when you speak up about it, so you just let it burn inside you. It sucks.

I will say, though, that it's totally an appropriate time to have the "these are my expectations in a relationship" talk. Once DH and I started down the road of coupledom, I was explicit in my wants. I told him any future relationship I had needed to be one that included kids, and if he wasn't open to that possibility, then we needed to end. I didn't say I wanted kids WITH HIM, just that I wanted kids at some point. Before you get too invested, have that chat, and any others, so that you're on the same page.

Well, I have always been the eccentric, crazy aunt (without the dog) and am proud of it! I know it's a little different for me, I never wanted kids, but don't let others make you feel bad for where you are in life and please, don't make yourself feel bad.

You are in a different place than your friends and that is nothing to feel ashamed of. And, I doubt very much that they pity you (at times, they are probably envious but will never admit it).

It is not too soon to have that discussion with your new man. I was 30 when I started dating my husband and I let him know up front that I didn't want kids. And before him, I let the guys I dated know. There was no point in wasting time dating, if we wanted different things (that were that importance). Why fall in love with someone, only to find out that your deal breaker is going to break you up?

I think that sometimes, we have these ideas of how people see us or things they are saying about us, but we are just wrong. Don't let ex-BM stay in your head, just live your life and be you.

I don't have kids either. Just my Skids, who I claim as my kids (I'm parenting them full time and the one that funds their life, they're mine. Legally no. But they are mine. I love them.) So I totally get it!

What helped me was that I was a nanny for a while, coached swim team for kids, and taught elementary school for a short spell. I was already used to parenting and taking care of other people's kids. So when it was ones that I actually love and want to see succeed, it came easier.

Someone is ALWAYS going to judge you for something, if you thought about that every time you wanted to do something, then nothing would happen. I figured I might as well just do me and ignore what everyone else says. I'm not trying to "replace mom" I'm just taking care of kids I care about. Let people judge. It's not hurting anyone, and if someone is REALLY going to judge because a kid has another caring adult, then I think they should self-evaluate instead of spending all their time throwing hate at me.

33 is not that old. I’m almost 40 and just had my first. You’re fine. Don’t pressure yourself. Enjoy the childfree time you have now because once that baby comes you won’t have peace again! Lol! And all your Mom friends envy your freedom. They love their babes but I bet you they’d love to be able to just run out to dinner with husband one night without having to get a babysitter.

My dogs are my kids too. Maybe your friend who asked you about your baby is the same.i have a very good childfree friend and I always call her dogs her daughters.

Look up Leah Campbell on FB. She's a contributor for mom.me and she adopted her child "Cheeks" as a single woman because she is infertile. Not that you are-after my Miscarriage in college my ex and I decided I wouldn't go back on birth control. I wa with him for 2 more years and I never got pregnant again.

But when I was seeing SO (again) for 2 weeks and BAM. Insta baby. The Universe knows what it's doing.

Have you talked to your friends about how you're feeling? I mean they're your friends girl, that's what they are there for.

urg - no one thinks you are an old lady with a dog... they envy you cause you have a carefree life and no child responsibilities, they only talk about how wonderful their babies are cause they are trying to convince them selves about it lol.... deep down they regret having the monsters.

Now stop stressing about having or not having babies, a friend of mine only had her first one age 39 and the second one age 41, both very easy pregnancies and nothing wrong with the brats, and yes they are brats. Fiends of SO had their first child age 44 and it was twins lol... now they are 50, nothing wrong with the twins, naughty as hell but healthy little brats.... My brother had his pension thieve age 40, his other 2 already pre-teens lol...

Simply enjoy your life girl, work hard, play hard, safe up tons of money and when you are truly ready... well get pregnant, you do not even need a husband for that, do it the way I did it, raise that brat on your own like you want to....

Stop worrying about what other people might think, stop stressing about I'm 33 maybe I should have children, maybe I should be married, it's all mediocre bullshit society pressure.... You are not like every one else, you are you, awesome fab AJ...