Category Archives: Childfree

INTERNATIONAL CHILDFREE DAY - August 1, 2023 - National Today Skip to contentGot an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

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International Childfree Day is observed on August 1 every year as a day to understand and support couples who have decided not to have children. It was started in 1973 by the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood. The organization was founded in 1972 in California to propagate and normalize the notion that people can choose not to have children. Celebration of the day was revived in 2013 by Laura Carroll since couples all over the world still face criticism, rejection, and occasionally, rage from other people when they decide to remain childfree.

The idea of children continuing family values is as old as mankind. It is one of the traits that helped us become the superior species on this planet. We share our DNA, blood, flesh, knowledge, experience, emotions, and much more with our children. Our society has increased in size and strength through this bond, and family values have become an important aspect of every persons life. Every religion and culture in the world stresses the importance of matrimony and having children. Some people even look down on those who do not have children.

As the years progress, family and social structures have changed. The human population is now higher than it has ever been. The cost of living is only increasing, but living standards, access to medical care, and independence have decreased along with this. During the medieval ages up until recently, having more children was considered safer for the legacy of a family, but nowadays, most developed families have up to a maximum of three kids. Some countries even have a single child policy to control the problem of overpopulation.

People have started to identify the importance of raising a responsible child. The idea that one does not need children has also spread, with people choosing a carefree and independent life over the strings of lifelong responsibilities.

1973

The Legalization of Abortion

Abortion is now legal after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

1973

The National Alliance for Optional Parenthood

An organization that supports people who choose to have a child-free life is established.

2013

The Childfree Movement is Resurrected

Author, Laura Carroll, resurrects the initiative of the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood.

2020

The Annual Non-Parent of the Year Award

Elizabeth Hintz, an American doctoral candidate, wins the Annual Non-Parent of the Year award.

Society considers childlessness in marriage as deviant behavior. This may lead to unwanted effects in a relationship, especially if one partner is not ready to accept the situation.

If the decision is a result of circumstances outside your control then it is normal for a person to regret it. However, if a voluntary decision is made to choose a child-free life after thorough discussion, there are no grounds for regret in most cases.

Its okay to not want children. It is okay if you are not sure whether you want a child or not. What is not okay is that you get pressured to have children when you are not ready to do so.

Write an appreciation note and send it to a child-free couple you know. Mention how proud and supportive you are of their choice.

Create a social media campaign on the advantages of a child-free life. Talk about the achievements of people who dont have children and applaud them through your campaign.

List the child-free couples in your locality. Choose the best performing couple in terms of financial stability, family integrity, and career choice, and gift them something nice.

There are 15.2 million adults in the U.S. who are childless.

Childfree is the term for people who have chosen not to have kids, while childless is for those who would love to but can't have them.

A person can save roughly half a million dollars if he or she is child-free.

A dink relationship is one where both partners earn an income and do not have children.

There are about 76% of millennials who choose to have pets over children.

Choosing to have a child or not is a personal choice. It is high time we gave more importance to personal choices.

Some couples recognize and understand that they are fully capable of providing a better life for a child. Such responsible decisions should be appreciated.

Acceptance in society is important for both childless and childfree couples. This day is great for recognizing and helping the people in these groups.

Every day is a holiday!Receive fresh holidays directly toyourinbox.

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INTERNATIONAL CHILDFREE DAY - August 1, 2023 - National Today

When it comes to the debate over who grinds away more at work, few things get people more worked up than comparing employees with kids and without. After all, its no secret that working parents have to juggle a lot because creating schedules that find the perfect balance between meetings and field trips is quite a daunting task. But when childfree co-workers have to work harder to pick up their slack, tensions inevitably arise.

This stands at the center of a dilemma Redditor randome_5682984 has recently found herself in. As the 28-year-old non-parent shared in a post on the AITA community, she is sick and tired of her always pregnant colleague who uses her children as a free pass to get out of work commitments shes not inclined to do.

So when the mother-of-five tried yet again to pawn off her tasks on the user, she refused to cover for her and was met with resentment. Unsure of what to think of the situation, the childfree woman reached out online to gain perspective on whether she was wrong or not. Scroll down to read the story in full, as well as the reactions that followed, and be sure to weigh in on the discussion in the comments.

Image credits: cottonbro

Image credits: Matilda Wormwood (not the actual photo)

Image credits: randome_5682984

The share of people without children and who never felt the urge to have children is growing, so conflicts like this might be more common than we think. According to Pew Research Center, 44% of American non-parents aged 18 to 49 said theyre unlikely or not too likely to have children ever. In England and Wales, women who turned 45 in 2018 were twice as likely (19%) not to have children as their mothers generation (9%).

Despite these growing numbers, childfree people still encounter unfair treatment at work. Some report being stressed and burned out because theyre expected to do more. At the same time, they face certain barriers. Researchers from George Washington University and the University of Pennsylvania found that analytically-talented, single professional women are disadvantaged even early in their careers.

This happens because they are often stereotyped as lacking leadership abilities and are often seen as too masculine for leadership the same traits that benefit single men. Moreover, according to the study, they also lacked the communal, relational leadership qualities expected of women who were coupled and had children.

Erin Spurling, a writer, editor, and founder of Curiously Childfree explained to Bored Panda in an earlier interview that the decision to opt out of parenthood is often hard to grasp for people who see kids as a crucial part of having a fulfilled family. A very prescriptive view of life has been presented for such a long time. Life is typically seen as grow up, get married, buy a house, have children. Lots of people dont consider something outside of that norm, she explained.

According to Erin, childfree people face double standards at work because they are generally viewed as having more time, no responsibilities, and lots of flexibility. However, people tend to forget that those without children also have other commitments: second jobs, caring for relatives, volunteering, pets, hobbies, and more.

But there is also an attitude that caring for children is more important than anything a childfree person might be involved with in their life, which can be frustrating. It can make you feel like youre not valued, your time isnt important and your choices arent respected.

The founder of Curiously Childfree even mentioned she stumbled upon a job ad that stated parents get an extra weeks leave every year. That could be hard to accept as a childfree person, but I would argue it might be even harder for a childless person who very much wanted to have children but then couldnt, and now they find themselves covering the extra workload of those lucky enough to have been successful in their choice to have children.

She continued: I do think it can be true that we have more flexibility. But I dont think that means we should be expected to cover work for those who do have children.

One way to try and change these attitudes is to set healthy boundaries, so Erin advised you to stand your ground but not in a confrontational way. When you find yourself being judged or devalued because of your choice, it can be easy to quickly become defensive in these situations but discussing it calmly will be far more helpful to both sides.

Its not that childfree people cant or dont want to help if a colleague needs to leave because a child is unwell for example, its about that help being a two-way street. Sticking to your own boundaries can be tough but once you start doing it, it does become easier, people will adjust and you will feel happier because youll be living within your own limits, Erin concluded.

Read the rest here:

Childfree Woman Wonders If She's A Jerk For Refusing To Help Out ...

Since Roe was overturned, trigger laws prohibiting abortion have already gone into effect in several states. This has left some people particularly those who are childfree by choice or have completed families worried about their future access to abortion. So theyre considering a new measure, even in states where abortion remains a protected right: sterilization and long-term birth control. Thats according to the physicians we talked to:

Dr. Amy Addante, an OB-GYN based in Illinois.

Dr. Bobby Najari, an assistant professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Male Infertility Program at NYU Langone in New York.

We asked both docs all about tubal ligation, vasectomies, and IUDs. Because we figured there are people out who dont want a(nother) baby.

Sterilization. Aka surgery to prevent babymaking. There are two types.

You mightve heard the phrase getting your tubes tied. Were talking about your fallopian tubes here. Theyre the pathways that an egg takes from the ovary to the uterus. During its journey, it may get fertilized and then implant on the uterine wall. But with a tubal ligation, a womans fallopian tubes are blocked, cut, or what Dr. Addante says she sees most often in her practice removed. If you imagine it as a tunnel, were just trying to find a way to disconnect the tunnel, she said. (FWIW, removing it completely may lower the risk of ovarian cancer.)

Tubal ligation is best for someone who knows with certainty that she doesnt want to have any (more) kids. Because its not meant to be reversible. Its also effective immediately. The chance of pregnancy is less than 1%, according to the latest data available, which is more than 20 years old. So it could be even more effective today.

Its the only kind of safe long-term birth control option thats available for men. And its effective more than 99.9% of the time, Dr. Najari said. A vasectomy works by preventing sperm from getting into the semen. It involves a small puncture or incision in the scrotum to cut and seal a part of the vas deferens (the usual exit route for sperm).

A vasectomy is best for someone confident about his decision not to have any (more) kids. Unlike most tubal ligations, a vasectomy doesnt usually require general anesthesia (just local) and can be done right in the doctors office, Dr. Najari said. A vasectomy is also meant to be a permanent procedure. But reversals do exist. And it typically takes about three months before its most effective.

An intrauterine device. Aka IUD, which goes into the uterus and has a failure rate of 1% or less. You can also call it a LARC (long-acting reversible contraception). There are a few IUD options (see: hormonal and copper versions) and each has different FDA limits for how long it can last. But generally, their lifespans range from three to 10 years. All IUDs are inserted by a doc through the cervix and into the uterus. And you can take them out any time that you decide you want to have a baby.

Possibly. ACOGs official stance is that all patients regardless of age and whether they have kids are candidates for tubal ligation.But not every doctor will be willing or able to perform the surgery. Whether thats for personal reasons or because they work at a religiously affiliated hospital that prohibits sterilization entirely. When I did my residency training at a Catholic hospital in St. Louis, we were not allowed to offer our patients tubal ligations, Dr. Addante said.

And note: Some state lawmakers have proposed legislation banning the use of contraceptives like IUDs. But birth control remains legal everywhere in the US.

Men can get turned away, too, Dr. Najari said. I do hear from people that theyve gotten pushback from providers because of age or lack of children. Some docs may worry their patients will regret not being able to have kids. But an analysis co-authored by Dr. Najari found that men whod gotten vasectomies and were child-free didnt have higher rates of regret than dads whod gotten the procedure.

Dr. Addantes advice: If one provider tells you no, go to somebody else.

Itll depend on what your insurance coverage is like. A number of plans fully or mostly cover IUDs and sterilization. Out of pocket, a vasectomy or an IUD might cost between a few hundred dollars to around $1,000, and a tubal ligation as much as $6,000.

If you dont want any (or any more) kids, it might make sense to consider an IUD or sterilization. Because it could be cost-effective in the long-term (think: no more pills or condoms). And, as Dr. Addante put it, youd be able to set it and forget it.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only.It does not constitute a medical opinion, medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment of any particular condition.

More:

Tubal Ligation and Vasectomy: Everything You Should Know - theSkimm

Our familys love grounds us. It increases our confidence and self-esteem, adds more stability to life, and provides a better understanding of social interactions.

But as much as Reddit user OperaJunkie would like to enjoy the company of her closest kin, she cant. At least not at the moment.

To explain her situation and possibly get some support, the 26-year-old made a post on the subreddit r/Childfree, where she detailed a recent conflict with her cousin.

It all started when the woman asked OperaJunkie to look after her kids. The Redditor refused because she had a vacation approaching and as the two continued talking, the cousin asked how much OperaJunkie is spending on her trip. $9,000 was the answer. And the woman was so surprised by it that she rallied the whole family against OperaJunkie, criticizing her for stupid spending.

Image credits: Claire Ward (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Marisa Howenstine (not the actual photo)

Image credits: operajunkie

Such conflicts might be more common than we think. A research team from Michigan State University recently discovered over one in five Michigan adults do not want children.

We found that 21.6% of adults, or about 1.7 million people, in Michigan do not want children and therefore are childfree. Thats more than the population of Michigans nine largest cities, said Zachary Neal, associate professor in MSUs psychology department and co-author of the study.

While the study was conducted in just one state, according to the 2021 census, Michigan is demographically similar to the United States as a whole. Because of this, Neal said, if the pattern holds up nationally, it would mean 50 to 60 million Americans are childfree.

People especially women who say they dont want children are often told theyll change their mind, but the study found otherwise, Jennifer Watling Neal, associate professor in the psychology department at MSU and co-author of the study, added. People are making the decision to be childfree early in life, most often in their teens and twenties. And, its not just young people claiming they dont want children. Women who decided in their teens to be childfree are now, on average, nearly 40 and still do not have children.

Because so many people are childfree, the researchers said this group warrants more attention from the general public. Following the U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, a large number of Americans are now at risk of being forced to have children despite not wanting them, Watling Neal said.

While its impossible to say who is right and who is wrong in this situation from an outsiders point of view, people noted that some things (like the use of the word breeder) might indicate both parties crossed each others line.

Without pointing any fingers, its interesting to note that Dr. Kathleen Kelley Reardon, USC Marshall School professor and author of Comebacks at Work: Using Conversation to Master Confrontation, estimates that 75% of how people treat us is under our own control. Because of this she advocates taking a different approach if you want to experience new, more positive results with these types of conflicts in the future.

Communication is like chess where every move one person makes influences the choices of the other, Reardon said. A good rule of thumb is to not say what you would normally say in response to any provocation. If you usually meet a challenge with a challenge, try asking a question instead. If you let someone go on and on and that leads to anger, link something you have to say to his or her topic and then change to another one.

If you think youre being blamed for something, instead of getting your back up, try saying, Theres some truth to that or I hadnt thought of it that way but I see your point. In other words, tweak what you normally do.

The rest is here:

Mother Freaks Out After Finding Out How Much Her Childfree Cousin Spent On A Vacation, Calls Her 'Disgusting' - Bored Panda

Even though an astonishing number of people dont feel, and have never felt, the urge to become a parent, the pressure to have kids is still tremendous. Any person who has made this profound decision about leading a child-free life can tell you its usually met in two different ways. One, people mutter a series of condescending phrases such as oh or youll change your mind. Two, they actually take you seriously and instantly warn you that youll be lonely and regret it when youre old.

Speaking of the latter scenario, one open letter on the Childfree subreddit put this notion to bed once and for all. An 85-year-old widow addressed the young people of this community, shared her experience, and proudly stated that she has zero regrets about her choice. Being married for 50 years, she offered her perspective and some validating words of wisdom.

If I could go back in time, would I do it again? (being childfree), 100% yes. I would live the same life one thousand times, the woman wrote. Her story sparked a discussion in the comments below, with responses ranging from kudos to appreciation. Scroll down to read the story in full and the reactions that followed.

Image credits: sabinevanerpt (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Design_Miss_C (not the actual photo)

Image credits: widowchildfree

In the past few decades, accusatory statements have started flying around blaming younger generations for having fewer kids than ever. According to the World Economic Forum, fertility rates have steadily decreased worldwide for the last 70 years, with a total 50% decline. Small wonder then, why childfree people are met with resistance from society.

The reasons for people having fewer children are plenty: womens empowerment, particularly in education and the workforce, lower child mortality rates, and the increased cost of raising children. The dire reality is that kids are expensive in an economy thats only getting more and more costly. They are a luxury many simply cannot afford.

Aside from these factors, theres a running trend among childfree individuals to say they opt out of parenthood for no reason in particular. A survey by Pew Research Center found that a majority (56%) of American non-parents younger than 50 said its unlikely they will ever have kids simply because they dont want to, while others reported medical, financial, or environmental reasons.

While everybody has their own motives for staying childfree, unfortunately, those who decide not to have children are still subjected to stigma. This usually stems from the fact that many people are still being raised to follow the usual path of getting an education, a job, a house, a spouse, and, ultimately, children. But as the woman wrote in her letter, it doesnt have to be this way.

To gain more insight on the topic, we reached out to Erin Spurling, a writer, editor, and founder of Curiously Childfree. She set up this space to build a supportive community where she can leave a mark, advocate for change, help people feel heard and connect with each other.

According to her, sharing experiences with others can definitely help people to feel more confident in their decision. For women, in particular, we very much have a window of opportunity to have our own biological children, and I think sometimes even those who choose to be childfree can worry about regretting it later, she told Bored Panda.

That combined with family and friends (and sometimes strangers) always telling us we will regret it can be a daunting thought. Hearing from someone much older who has chosen the same path as you can be very reassuring.

The number of childfree communities is steadily growing. No wonder, as people who consistently deal with social stigma are sick and tired of others telling them reasons they should have kids, how much theyll rue their decision, or how selfish they are for failing to pass along their genes and contribute to society. When friends and family fail them, the internet steps up to offer support.

Finding like-minded people absolutely helps you to feel safer, better connected, and it helps when handling difficult conversations. Its exactly the same for us as it is for parents, Erin said. Often, parents will be part of mother-and-baby groups, for example, where they can meet people living a similar life and experiences to them.

Connecting with childfree people is the same, you both know you have a shared experience, how you are treated in the world is similar, your opinions and struggles are likely to be the same, she added. Plus, you know you wont be judged for your choice or have your opinions dismissed by someone else who is childfree.

Erin pointed out that, unfortunately, we still live in a world where women can find themselves feeling excluded for having children and equally excluded for not. Its a strange combination damned if we do, damned if we dont.

Although theres an evident change in attitudes where more and more people are starting to respect individuals who are childfree by choice, a long road still lies ahead. Id just like to remind anyone who is childfree that they arent alone. It might feel like theres nobody else out there like you, but I promise there is.

Make the decisions that are right for you (and your partner if you have one), and remember that many people have wonderful, fulfilling lives without children. You get to decide what a good life looks like for you, just like this brilliant lady did.

And as scary as it might feel to be open about being childfree, sometimes taking that step to sharing it with a new acquaintance can give them the courage to share too, and youll find you have a new friend, Erin concluded.

Link:

Woman Who Unpopularly Decided To Never Have Children Reflects On It Now That She's 85 Years Old - Bored Panda

Recently, a childfree man turned to the AITA community for advice, where his story received a lot of attention. The author who goes by the handle Low-Ad-1414 explained how since he is the cool uncle in the family, his older siblings get to dump their rather difficult kids onto him.

Im not qualified or even capable to watch my brothers 3 kids by myself as well as they need, plus their cousins (my sisters kids) also want to spend time with their cousins so Im sitting there by myself watching 5 kids aged 4-8 by myself, 3 of which may have special needs, he explained.

As if that wasnt enough, my brother will give me a physical paper list of parental duties, a backpack with stuff for the kids, then turn his phone off in front of me then walk away after dumping his kids on me, Low-Ad-1414 wrote.

For this reason, the author came up with a way to evade babysitting, even if that meant intentional drinking at family gatherings and being labeled a drunk.

Image cretits: cottonbro (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Low-Ad-1414

See the article here:

Guy Comes Up With A Brilliant Plan To Intentionally Drink Before Family Gatherings To Dodge Babysitting Duties Which Usually Fall On Him - Bored Panda

Children, quite like Karens, are notorious meltdown makers. In what seems like a fraction of second, they go from little angels bringing joy into our miserable adult world to full-on tantrum machines powered by screaming and crying, rolling on the floor, and cursing like uncle Bob.

But parents werent born yesterday. They either have already found a reliable antidote to such meltdowns and proven way to take back control, or they manage to simply not care and save their nerves when it occurs.

So this thread from Ask Reddit has parents sharing the most ridiculous reasons their child had a meltdown, and trust us, it doesnt get any funnier than that. Turns out that virtually anything can be a trigger for a child's freakout, and it can just as well be cute and wholesome.

He saw that scene from Spongebob where Patrick was upset because he couldnt see his own forehead. My son saw it, realized he couldnt see his own forehead, then had a meltdown.

Hugh_manateerian Report

My daughter got mad because I cut her sandwich into triangles instead of rectangles. She threw it at the wall, pointed at Santa, and screamed, PUT ME ON THE NAUGHTY LIST!

jeff_the_nurse , Eaters Collective Report

Meltdowns are inseparable from having kids. Our little daredevils are notorious tantrum throwers, and its just a question of severity and frequency with which they occur. There are countless parenting methods created to take back control of a child in meltdown, and ways to make sure it doesnt happen.

Tantrums and meltdowns can be generated by a lot of different things: fear, frustration, anger, and sensory overload, to name a few. Moreover, a tantrum isnt a very clear way to communicate, but theyre very powerful in getting not just parents' but every onlookers attention.

A full on screaming temper tantrum because he didn't want to go to McDonald's with us. It was STUPID we're not going to STUPID MCDONALDS!!! Then as soon as we finished going through the drive thru, through tears he asked for his chicken nuggets and contentedly ate his happy meal soon after. Toddlers are weird man.

zerbey , Thabang Report

This article on the Childmind Institute argues that we should think of a tantrum as a reaction to a situation a child cant handle in a more grown-up way. By talking about how he feels, or making a case for what he wants, or just doing what hes been asked to do. Instead, he is overwhelmed by emotion.

If unleashing his feelings in a dramatic way crying, yelling, kicking the floor, punching the wall, or hitting a parent serves to get him what he wants (or out of whatever he was trying to avoid), its a behavior that he may come to rely on.

I've got two kids. While driving, a bird pooped on our car window on one side of the car. The kid farthest from that side of the car looked at it, and the other one started yelling "You can't look at the bird poop! It's on my side of the car so it's MY bird poop!" and then a big fight broke out.

supenguin Report

At about age 2, he was trying to get out of his bed, put his hand on the wall, then put his other hand over it, and tried to remove his first hand. The weight/push force of his second hand kept his first hand pinned to the wall. He started screaming in terror, pushing back with all his might... on top of his first hand. I had to grab his second hand, then yank his first hand free.

He was inconsolable for a while.

punkwalrus Report

It was my wife's time of the month, and I asked her if she needed any feminine products as I was leaving for the store. My 2 year old son then proceeded to throw himself on the floor demanding that he wanted 'feminine prodos' as well.

mr_patsy , Alexander Grey Report

Challenges like meltdowns are a quintessential part of being a parent. Many people know that and are still willing to make a sacrifice for the better good and having a fulfilling life with kids. Others, however, choose a very different path, which is staying childfree.

This is, of course, not to say that people choose not to have kids because its difficult raising them, rather they make a decision for a complex of reasons. They may range from rising living costs, rising housing prices, widespread concerns about social media and climate change, peoples own childhood experiences, and simply not wanting children.

I wouldn't buy him a combine harvester, an axe or a cow. All full sized real things. Not toys

floydie1962 Report

School was over. That was completely unacceptable. 4yo straight up starfishes himself on the path where the entire school had to step over/around him screaming about how he doesnt want to go home. It made me look like the best parent in the world.

Andiwowow , Ivan Aleksic Report

The spoon was the wrong color, then when I got the right one it was toxic since I was the one to grab it, so I put it back and then it was too far and they wanted me to get it for them, and after that they wanted the original one they threw on the floor. I picked it up and handed it to them but apparently it was toxic again so they threw it, climbed down the chair, picked it up, then went back to their yogurt and started to happily eat. Toddlers am I right?

You meant just today this morning right?

Cognizant_Psyche , Harry Grout Report

Despite the fact that the childfree lifestyle is gaining popularity every day, its still viewed with a huge stigma in our society. To find out what are the reasons for so many people condemning those who opt for life without kids, Bored Panda spoke with Dr. Audrey Tang, a chartered psychologist and author of multiple books, including "Be A Great Manager Now", "The Leader's Guide to Mindfulness," and "The Leader's Guide to Resilience. It turns out this has a lot to do with human nature and our tendency to be judgemental toward others.

When we live in a society with others (and this is evident in the animal kingdom), we tend to understand our place in the pack through acknowledging ourselves in comparison to others with the goal being access to resources, Tang argues.

Him: I don't want English peas for breakfast

Me: I'm not cooking English peas for breakfast

Him: *head buried in the couch SOBBING

Aggravating_Client36 Report

According to Tang, in humans, we are fighting less over a perceived scarcity of food and water, but (especially in the social media world) a need for acknowledgment and validation. Further to which, building self-esteem has focused on appreciating the self but often in comparison to others (e.g. I didnt win but at least I didnt come last).She explained that we are brought up judging others to know our position.

Moreover, Tang claims that in evolutionary terms, this is perhaps sensible. By making it clear there is someone else (a 'weaker prey' perhaps) to focus on, we can remain safe.

My nephew told me that 7/11 is called that because it's open seven hours a day, eleven days a week. I told him that there aren't 11 days in the week and he lost his little mind.

Don't correct a toddler if it doesn't matter in the long run.

Flaky_Tip Report

Oooo ooo oo. Not me, but my brother. Apparently, my mom found him (early 90s) sitting in the doorway between the house and the great outdoors crying hysterically because he wasn't sure if he wanted to stay in or go outside.

OakHallowedBThyAcorn Report

Tang told Bored Panda that it becomes all too easy to, rather than show acceptance of difference or even learn from that other person, try to negate that of the other it is the act of normative idealization. She continued explaining that normative idealization is when you think like what I do is normal, what you do is odd (it makes our own ego feel better); or to return to my first point of looking outwards - we might alternatively just be picking on others to avoid thinking about our own problems and something which makes them 'different' is an easy target and sometimes it means by bringing someone down (rather than working to raise ourselves up), we feel better about ourselves and dont need to admit we need to do something about our own insecurities.

Ohhh, man. Let's see...

*I microwaved her hot dog.

*I wouldn't give her a second olive

*I wouldn't let him jump on a trampoline in the rain

*She didn't want to be buckled into her carseat when I picked her up from daycare. She didn't want to get OUT of her carseat when we got home 2 blocks later. Then she was upset because all the candy was gone from her 6-month-old trick-or-treat bag.

*The sticker she peeled off my wife's orange apparently didn't meet expectations.

raistliniltsiar Report

Having said that, Tang claims that we have evolved since that point, although perhaps our brains haven't quite, and we need to teach it healthy behaviors.

Judging others in the context of who is living life best is not helpful, it is far more healthy to focus your energies on living your own best life, and if others are inspired, perhaps you can tell them how you did it and what your choices were... if they don't - you just do you." She added that in the words of Ru Paul - if they aren't paying your bills, you pay them no mind!

I flipped out because my mom used the Native American word for corn, mas, because she is Dutch and they call it that over there. I remember freaking the f**k out because I didnt want to eat poor baby mice. I ran upstairs in a blind panic.

For a few years afterwards Id sometimes grab handfuls of dried corn from the kitchen to save them and I made beds out of cotton balls for the individual pieces of corn lol.

DameDrunkenTheTall Report

Full on meltdown last week because I wouldnt let him take a nap with a bowl of chicken nuggets. Hes only two and I know shits about to get wilder than that.

Alternative_Plate398 Report

My daughter frequently asks me what a word means (irritated, archery, hilarious, etc), then when I tell her she screams NOOO THAT'S WRONG and cries. Every time. She thinks I'm an idiot I guess. Also, why the hell are you asking me if you THINK you know what it means already smh.

796807 Report

His pants were too gentle. His cookie was sleeping. He said good morning to the cat and the cat didnt say good morning back to him. The toilet was yelling at him. (He had flushed it). It was his birthday and he was excited to go see a Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine and then we left the house to go see A Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine.

TheYankunian Report

He didn't want long food. No food that was a long shape whatsoever. It was an interesting phase.

terminator_chic Report

Because she wanted to go to school, at 8 pm, at age 3, never having gone to a school ever.

ShabbyBash Report

Not a parent, but a daycare worker.

As soon as I saw this, my mind jumped to the moment I watched a two-year-old throw himself onto the ground, kicking and screaming, because I wouldn't let him stick peas up his nose.

CommonGrackle_ Report

Mine was heartbroken that his gingerbread man had broken after about 6 hours of playing with it.

He also had a meltdown because hes potty training and he had a poo in the toilet.

marshmallow-fluff- Report

I cut her waffle into squares instead of rectangles. RIP my Saturday morning.

TonyTheLieger Report

Ok I'm not a parent but I was looking after my baby cousin and we were sat on the sofa watching a movie and he cried because he couldn't hug the cat on the screen

Separate-Ant-9646 Report

Foreword I take these very seriously and we're working to help her even if the content makes me giggle afterwards.

Not a meltdown per se but some of the things my daughter screams when she has night terrors are less than terrifying.

"NononoNO DONT EAT MY CAAAAAKE"

"THEY CANT DO THAT THE FEATHERS ARE ON THE WRONG STATUE"

"I can't do this I can't I can't I can't I can't put on shoes I'm wearing sandals""

Threndsa Report

I remember once my little brother was super mad he wasn't given two of some kind of treat. So my mom took it from him, broke it in half, and gave him the two pieces. Just like that he was happy

TehAsianator Report

My wife brought home pizza for dinner. It had sausage and pepperoni, my sons favorite. He freaked out and refused to eat it because the sausage was crumbled instead of in little balls

professor_dog , The Nix Company Report

Going through a drive through we asked my daughter if she wanted a breakfast sandwich. When we ordered a bacon egg and cheese biscuit she had a melt down for 30 minutes insisting she wanted a sandwich and not a biscuit.

SEPTSLord , Jeremy Bishop Report

When I was little, about four years old, I was very upset that my mom was pregnant with my little brother. So much so, that at one night as she tucked me in, I looked her dead in the eyes and said "I'll miss you so much when the new baby gets here and I have to run away." I then proceeded to have a hysterical meltdown. This was a few days after I had to be picked up from my grandparents' house one night because they had a kid's stool with the Three Bears on it and it made me bawl because that wouldn't be like my family any more.

Almost twenty years later, my brother and I have a good relationship, but it definitely took some convincing to get there.

HatchedAttic21 Report

I was drinking some tea and he was upset when he found out I did that without him choosing a type of tea for me. He doesn't even drink tea. He cried and insisted I make a new pot of tea with the tea of his choice.

gorogy Report

She couldnt see the moon (new moon. It happens). Insisted it went to New York city and sobbed.

Missprisskm Report

One day my son got extremely upset because his French fry was too long, so I broke it in half. The French fry was then, too short. Absolute meltdown.

elmsa517 Report

My god daughter cried on a trip to the aquarium as there were no "fishies" in the car park. At the end of the day when she was ready to leave she said, in a matter of fact way, that she hated fishies. Can't please them.

Schofief Report

My son at the time was mainlining string cheese in hopes of not turning him into string cheese he was cut off for like a day. So picked him up from daycare walk into the house not a single word said he went running through the house and dropped down crying his head off. I asked whats wrong he said I want cheese! I told him no, you can have anything other than cheese. Well I thought he was in a full on meltdown, I was wrong, he ran across the house dropped like he was shot complete and utter meltdown, I decided this is so ridiculous, I better film this so I started recording. He looked up to see if it was working, I was stone faced, back to meltdown. Then I asked whats wrong? He promptly stood up not a single tear falling and questioningly said cheese?

It became a thing when someone is losing their s**t, to ask cheese?

View original post here:

Someone Wonders What's The Most Ridiculous Reason Your Child Had A Meltdown? And 50 Parents Give Hilarious Answers - Bored Panda

Fears about declining fertility rates have come from sources as diverse as Pope Francis and Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk. The U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson could force women to give birth against their wishes, while a recent British editorial even proposed a tax on people without children.

Media outlets regularly point out that more Americans are having fewer children or forgoing parenthood altogether.

But how many Americans want to have kids and cant? Or are still planning to be parents down the road? How many are consciously making the choice to never have kids?

While official statistics in the United States and elsewhere track fertility, they dont provide insight into the people who have not had children. There are many different types of nonparents: Childfree people do not want children; childless people want children but cant have them; not-yet parents plan to have children in the future; undecided people arent sure they will have children; and ambivalent people arent sure they would have wanted children.

In a 2022 study of 1,500 adults in Michigan, we found that 21.64% of adults do not want to have children and therefore are choosing to be childfree. While our survey wasnt nationally representative, the 2021 Census showed that Michigan is demographically similar to the United States in terms of age, race, education and income. If the pattern we have observed in Michigan reflects national trends, it would mean 50 million to 60 million American adults are childfree.

Identifying childfree people

To identify childfree people, we asked each participant a series of up to three questions:

Do you have, or have you ever had, any biological, step-, or adopted children?

Do you plan to have any biological or adopted children in the future?

Do you wish you had or could have biological or adopted children?

Respondents could answer yes, no, or I dont know to each question. We classified as childfree those who answered no to all three.

Our estimate of the number of childfree people is much higher than past national studies, which placed the percentage between 2% and 9%. This likely happened because our measurement focuses on a persons desire to have children, not their ability. This is important because a person can be childfree whether they are biologically capable of having children or not.

Our estimate is also slightly lower than an initial estimate 27% from a 2021 study that we wrote about a year ago. The original study did not allow respondents to answer I dont know to these questions and therefore could not separate the undecided or ambivalent from the childfree. We were surprised that after refining our measurement to distinguish these unique groups, we still observed so many childfree adults.

Roughly half the adults in our study were parents, but childfree adults were the largest nonparent group.

Theyre deciding early in life

People, especially women, who say they dont want children are often told theyll change their mind. But we found thats likely not the case.

In our study, people reported making the decision to be childfree early in life, most often in their teens and 20s. Moreover, it isnt just young people who are claiming they dont want children. Many women who decided in their teens to be childfree are much older now, and are still childfree.

Philip Pacheco/AFP/Getty Images

Our findings depart from research conducted in the 1970s, which found that childfree adults tended to arrive at their decision later in life after postponing parenthood for many years. Earlier decisions may reflect changing norms toward parenthood and an increasing recognition and acceptance of a childfree lifestyle.

Underpopulation isnt the problem

Despite Musks insistence that there is an underpopulation crisis, the global population will continue to grow.

This growth will likely have a negative impact on climate change and some researchers contend that one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions is to have fewer children.

Meanwhile, the Dobbs decision has chilling implications for the millions of Americans who are childfree: A significant swath of them are now at risk of being forced to have children despite not wanting them.

Issues affecting childfree Americans go beyond reproductive freedom. For example, workplace policies on work-life balance often favor parents. Because so many people are childfree, we believe the needs of this group warrant more attention from policymakers.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts, under a Creative Commons license.

View post:

Children? More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults dont want them - Marin Independent Journal

Let's face it, increasingly more people decide to turn down the prospect of parenthood. As a Pew Research Center study has found, around 44% of Americans who are not already parents say theyre unlikely to have children ever. But even though they consciously choose to forego having kids and feel comfortable with the decision, childfree people often face pressure from those in their social circle who believe they will definitely change their minds.

"You still have time" is up there with some of the most frustrating remarks people who chose a different life path have to hear. Thankfully, theres a great way to fight stigma in society see the positivity in their child-free freedom and be proud of their choice. This is something that hundreds of people expressed across various threads on Reddit, and their stories are nothing but honest.

We at Bored Panda have wrapped up a collection of responses where people open up about how this decision affected their lifestyles. Some explain their overwhelming joy and happiness, while others reveal slight doubts and regrets. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading through their experiences. Be sure to upvote your favorite answers and if you want to weigh in on the topic, wed love to hear your thoughts right below in the comments!

Psst! If youre interested in even more childfree content, take a look at our earlier piece where people reveal what made them decide to never have kids.

Ive recently started dating again, and the amount of men my age (35) with kids is disheartening. I started talking to one guy, and he mentioned having kids, so I told him we werent compatible. He told me I was being negative, asking how I knew we werent compatible, etc. Well, cause you have kids and I dont, I dont want any. I had another guy tell me he had a 22-month-old. He has not mentioned anywhere in his profile about having kids, and then when I tell him its a no for me, he resorts to insults. Im honestly happy with my life and where I am, and I refuse to settle for anyone who wouldnt add to my life. Im complete. If I die alone with my cats, thats better than settling for a miserable life

Donthurlemogurlx Report

When my current manager found out I dont want kids his response was well youre young and still have time to change your mind. When I told him my husband and I want to retire early he said but why would you retire early if you dont have kids? What would you even do..?

SMH these people are so brainwashed. Theres more to life than going to a job everyday then taking care of kids for the other part.

Chipotleislyfee , RAIS Report

I am 47 and life is great. Was married once (very young) and engaged once, but never had kids. Started my own business a decade ago and that's gone great. It's currently providing me income while I work on a start-up with a partner. I travel a lot (when there's not a pandemic), have tons of hobbies, and have built up a wonderful chosen family for company and support.

I have no regrets and no complaints. I get plenty of sleep and take good care of myself. I volunteer and give back to the community however and whenever I can. I wouldn't have it any other way.

GracieLikesTea , Daria Pimkina Report

My son decided to get a vasectomy last year. I told him: "Won't you regret it later?"He replied: "I can always adopt, just like you adopted me."

Report

Cringe answer but i dont wanna bring someone into this world and force them to deal with problems just cause I wanted pride of having a child

Possible_Tap8558 Report

1. My body already is pretty screwed up, I don't need it MORE screwed up

2. A lot of folks seem to hate their children. Like, A LOT of people seem to hate their children. Or at least mildly resent them. I don't want to do that.

3. I am an 'all in' type of person. A 'anything worth doing is worth over doing' type of person. I'd probably be a great parent because of this--all in for my kids. But it also means I'd be a terrible ME. I'd lose being an individual in the process, and that's not good for me OR any mythical children.

4. I really, really, really like quiet.

Lyeta1_1 , Lucas Calloch Report

Love my life. Wouldnt trade it with anyone. Im 70 with no children, never married, and no regrets. Several long term relationships (11 yr. & 17 year ... still friends). Loved my never relinquishing my personal freedom. Several things informed my decision:

Watching the relationships of parents and children, where children became a**holes. 2. Watching marriages that were okay go bad or boring 3. Watching people lose themselves in stressful marriages. 4. My inability to take shit and pretend that its not happening. 5. Not enjoying the feeling of having to negotiate everything from social events to meal choices. 6. Unwillingness to relinquish personal freedom

Kwelikinz , Axville Report

I overheard my sister-in-law telling my brother-in-law that we should write everything in our will to them because We need it; they dont have kids (on both sides). What do they need it for? Theyre trying to get my father-in-law to facilitate the conversation. If they think youre entitled to my money, dont be shy. Tell me to my face! The joke is on her because my side of the money is locked up in a prenup. Our will, as it stands now, a nice sum is set aside for education, down payment, etc., for my nieces. Most of it is being distributed to charities. Planned Parenthood is on the list! The audacity and entitlement make my head spin! Just because I dont have kids doesnt mean it automatically goes to them.

jabmwr Report

I had an experience that annoyed me apartment hunting last year. The lady showing my boyfriend and I the apartment kept prying why we would need a second bedroom, and saying things like if its just the two of us why isnt a 1 bedroom enough. Even after explaining we both worked from home, she kept trying to push the smaller units. I guess the building has less 2 bedrooms so they like to keep them open for people with kids?

As crazy as it sounds, people without kids also like space.

South-Housing-748 Report

I was getting to know a (female) doctor my partner used to work with. She asked about my dream job and I responded that I dont dream of labor; my dream is to be financially secure enough that I can retire ASAP.

Retired? Do you mean at home with babies?

Um no. Retired meaning I have enough savings to not have to work anymore while living comfortably.

PM_ME_PDIDDY , RepentAnd SeekChristJesus Report

Coming up in a year since my husband and I bought our first house! 4 beds, 2.5 baths. I absolutely love it. We consider ourselves very lucky and grateful. Since then, when the topic comes up in casual conversation, I get the same response from breeders. It doesnt help were the only child-free couple on the street. Oh, so much space, making room for kids? Thats a lot of space for just the two of you. What about families with children that needed that home? Im sorry, I wanted space for separate offices and a space for visitors. Oh, the reactions I get when I say I turned the den into a cat room. A whole room just for your cats!? Must be nice to live that way Yes. Yes, it is. It would also be nice to share accomplishments without judgment.

Unsolicited_CatPics Report

Glorious!

Vacations are a breeze, particularly if you go to another country. If I find a place, I can just up and move without worrying about if the school is any good, or how big the house is.

Gonstackk , Eddy Billard Report

Retiring to me means never working for anyone but myself.

Thanks to the stars aligning with my childfreedom, the real estate boom, and a deep seated drive to be both lazy and selfish I'm about to live my dream - moving across the country, renting out an ADU for passive income, and freelancing when I feel like it.

Of course, there are no guarantees this will last forever, but at 35 it's the closest thing to retirement I've ever experienced. So excited.

atypicala , Sven Mieke Report

I'm 48 never wanted kids, no regrets. The majority of the parents I know are stressed AF! My best friend has 4 adult kids and they all cause her grief. She is on her way to a mental breakdown.

The happiest married couples that I know, besides me and my spouse, is a retired couple no kids. They go on dates several times a week, travel and just love each other so much.

Having kids isn't a guarantee that they will take care of you when you get old. My mother works in a nursing home. Most of them are abandoned by their kids and only visit on Mother's Day for Facebook photos.

sagicorn2791 , Lona Report

I am 38, my wife is 42. Our marriage is fantastic and our jobs are stressful, but lucrative. We worry and stress about normal things just like others, but just not about kids, obviously.

Like any major life decision, there are pangs of regret -seeing my friends enjoy ballgames and major milestones with their children that I know it won't experience with my own, but I know I am also sidestepping the negatives as well.

In the end, my wife and I chose each other and are endlessly happy. Could a child have improved that bliss? Possibly - but we collectively were not 100% all-in and didn't want to risk our happiness together to find out.

Intersectaquirer , Allen Taylor Report

Im a 46 year old auntie to a wonderful little boy and Im fine with that.

My husband and I didnt each hit 6 figures until about 4 years ago, so were not really swimming in money yet (we live in NYC). I love sleeping in. I love finishing dinner and then playing video games. I love going for long walks. I love peace and quiet. I love all my disposable income. My brother and his wife ask all the time when were going to visit so they can just toss my nephew at us for a week so they can go on vacation and you know, that just makes me extra happy I didnt go that route.

cuntpunt2000 , Joo Ferro Report

I've never had any desire to be a mother. I don't want to give up my freedom and spare time. I can't afford it. I don't want to grow a human inside my body. I have [bad] mental health problems that I would probably pass on to them.

sporkchop24 , Brooke Cagle Report

30 F, besides every other answer already provided here I am legitimately terrified of the idea of pregnancy and giving birth. Even if I felt the burning desire to mother a child, (which I do not) I could never get past the fact I would have to grow it, and have it.

IndependentWinner992 , Vanessa Report

Me 46M and wife 46F.

In a word, amazing.

We both work in Finance and our household gross income is about $200k with about $48k/yr in expenses (and half of that is discretionary...bare bones expenses are about $24k/yr)

Debt free except for the house, which will be completely paid off by this time next year.

Pretty much buy whatever we want, when we want it.

Go where ever we want, when we want to.

Our jobs are ultra-stable and we have both been with the company for 10 years and get 1.5 months of paid leave, plus 10 paid holidays per year (almost unheard of in non-union jobs in the US).

We live next door to my wife's parents and they are awesome people that treat me like the son they never had.

About the only thing we really need to fix, is we both put on too much weight during covid and need to get that shit under control this summer...so...salad & hiking summer it is.

Luckily, we live in the paradise of our choosing, Alaska, and there is truly epic hiking up here.

[deleted] , Timo Stern Report

Boyfriend and I are both 45 and life is pretty cool. We met when we were 39 and on our second date I had to ask the dreaded kid question. Thank god his response was a vehement no. Its crazy to think people dont ask that question right away and have terrible break ups over it. I figured I didnt want to waste a minute with him if he wanted kids!

bionica1 , dusan jovic Report

Love it.

Can't even imagine having children. I'm not built for it.

Great with other people's kids (in short bursts) but ultimately very glad to be able to walk away from that cacophony of neediness.

I sleep as much as I want (as well as game/work/etc) eat whatever I want go where I want (or more importantly don't go where I don't want).

One of the few decisions that made very young (before I was a teenager for sure) that I've not wavered on and has paid off dividends.

VyrPlan , Marivi Pazos Report

I was told at an old job that Id be such a great mom because I was so patient and kind to coworkers, especially the new ones who had A LOT of questions. The difference is I can get away from my coworkers, but kids are a different story! My mom said I would be a fantastic mom IF I wanted to be one, because ultimately, I wouldnt be if my heart wasnt in it. My mom gets it, and I appreciate her so much for it.

Brain_Stew12 , Desola Lanre-Ologun Report

I love children. I love holding them, I love playing with them and I love talking with them. Very neat group of people. Totally recommend them to anyone who thinks having a child is right for them.

What I do not like is being responsible over another human being 24/7. I also don't like the thought of having to leave work to pick up a sick child from school or nursery school. I don't like potty training, I don't want to be unable to travel without a massive amount of planning, I don't want to fight with a 13 year old over... anything really, 13 year olds do not listen to reason. I don't want to get up at 7 AM on a Sunday to take my child to their football training, I don't want to spend all my money on somebody else's damn shoes that they will have grown out of the week after anyways.

Basically, a child is not compatible with the lifestyle I want.

Fuzzykittenboots Report

I never wanted to have children.My relatives and acquaintances would tell me: "When you grow up you will change your mind. Children are a blessing in life," or stuff like that. I always replied that I didn't see myself as a mother. 15 years have gone by and nothing has changed.

Report

I decided when I was 18 and I agree with it. People will tell me: "Who is going to take care of you when you are old?" followed by this little gem: "You have to start your own family," as if my boyfriend and my dogs don't count.

Report

Fantastic. I couldnt ask for a better life. I wouldnt trade my current status for the greatest child in the world and I like kids. Me 44 and hubby 38, almost mortgage free. Stress from jobs are there but I feel like its nothing compared to my friends with kids.

commentaror , Brooke Cagle Report

Utterly delightful. We can do what we want, when we want. Zero debt except the mortgage. 10/10 would do again.

Astara104 Report

Almost 40, no kids, never married. I work about 50ish hours a week. Life is good. Money just sits in the bank since I don't have to spend it on children, I have a bunch of free time that I use however I want because I can't ask a significant other how they want to spend time together or have to cater my schedule around sports practice, or academia. I use my vacation days to extend some weekends, travel somewhere nice, stay in a bed and breakfast and enjoy the nightlife the place has to offer.

nocoolname42 , Emil Kalibradov Report

My biggest factors in not wanting kids are SLEEP and SPONTANEITY! When telling my coworker this, shes like its not as hard as youd think it is then, a couple weeks later, she comes in talking about the baby is sick and cant sleep or the baby was up at 6am today (we work nights) and she has to plan [things] way in advance, and she cant handle her car issues because she has no money because of the baby.

Luckily! My sister, my mom, and my close friends who have kids are very honest with me about what their lives are like, and they dont blame me for not wanting kids! The only people who seem to REALLY want my husband and I to start pumping em out are my coworkers, which is extra weird because like they would never even see my hypothetical baby ??

BetEqual2993 , Brooke Cagle Report

45 F, I love it. Also never been married, or never lived with someone (except roommates). I love the freedom to do as I please, spent my money the way I want.

stubbornasfuckNL Report

When people who have children start talking about them, they suddenly look at you and say: And when are you going to have children? And when you answer that you dont want to have children, they tell you that thats selfish, and they ask who will take care of you later. They also say you need to have children to have your own family, or that you say that because you are too young.

Mimi Thian Report

Note: this post originally had 47 images. Its been shortened to the top 31 images based on user votes.

Here is the original post:

People Who Decided Not To Have Kids Share How Their Lives Turned Out (30 Posts) - Bored Panda

StefaNikolic / Getty Images

Maybe youre planning a big move just when the local real estate swings from a sellers to a buyers market. Maybe you have a spare bedroom or guest house you never use. Or maybe you have a grand vision for flipping that garage into the coziest Airbnb.

Whatever the case, if youre considering renting out your current home or property you own, youll want to be ready for everything that entails.

Look: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time JobMore: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals

If you do rent out your house, you need to treat it like any other business, Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP and founder of Childfree Wealth said. You need to track income and expenses and pay taxes on the net income.

Check this list of pros and cons to make sure being a landlord is a worthy investment.

Here are a handful of the financial pros of being a landlord.

Renting out your current home or property can provide a steady passive income, especially if the rent you charge your tenants is higher than your monthly mortgage payment. In 2022, the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Property Index found a 24.1% increase in returns on investment in multifamily apartment properties. An investment like this could help you pay off your home, or leave you with a little left over for improvements on the property over time.

Keep in mind, you will have to pay taxes on that income at the end of the fiscal year.

When you are renting out your property, you will want to work with a CPA or EA to prepare your taxes, Dr. Zigmont said. How you file will change based upon the use of the property and how long you have it rented out.

Take Our Poll: Do You Think You Will Be Able To Retire at Age 65?

Dr. Zigmont said you may also benefit from the appreciation in the price of the property over time. If you hold off on selling your property and maintain it as a rental, your home value may increase year after year, depending on location or improvements made to yours and other homes in the surrounding area.

As the homeowner, your increased equity could mean listing the home for a higher price when its time to sell, having the ability to increase the rent or even taking out a better loan on a new property further down the line. Keep track of your home value with an online estimator or a professional appraiser.

You could also be eligible for certain tax breaks when renting out your home. As a landlord, you can deduct expenses for certain materials or repairs. You can even deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for the management of your property. Talk to your tax professional about the deductions you could be eligible for, and keep a thorough record of these expenses throughout the year.

Despite the positives, there are certainly some drawbacks to renting out your property. Here are some of them.

While you would be making money on the rent, you are still responsible for a number of expenses as a landlord. For example, if a pipe bursts from age and wear, that money wont be coming out of your tenants pocket. Owning your own home on top of renting this property could spread your finances thinner in times of emergencies like these.

There are certain expenses that can pile up before youre even able to put the property up for rent. Dr. Zigmont said your state or town may have requirements that you have to meet before renting out your home. If you are accepting renters with rent assistance, you may also need to have certain inspections done on the property.

You also need to have a plan for how you will handle if the property is not rented (or the renter is not paying) for an extended period of time, Dr. Zigmont said. Having cash on hand to cover low rent months and any expenses is a good idea.

As a property owner, you already know the unexpected can happen. If you wont be physically living on the property, it can make things even more unpredictable.

Being a remote landlord can be a disaster, Dr. Zigmont said. My wife and I tried this, and the result was that the renters (and their dog) destroyed the hardwood floors in the two years it was rented. It cost almost as much to repair as we made in rent.

If youre renting the property out while you live there, like an Airbnb or back house, Dr. Zigmont says you should consider the return on hassle.

Your homeowners association or zoning laws on your property may prohibit rentals. Even if you are allowed to rent it out, you must first check with your HOA to see if there are limits on the number of people you can rent to or the number of days you can rent it out each year. You may also need to update your homeowners insurance to cover rentals. Make sure you check in with these institutions before taking any steps toward renting.

At the end of the day, its important to understand that your property is an investment, which comes with highs and lows. While many people have great success with Airbnb and similar services, Dr. Zigmont said you can always consider other tools to get exposure to real estate investing.

Do not use the justification that the rent covers the mortgage payment, as that does not take into account maintenance and other costs, Dr. Zigmont said.

More From GOBankingRates

Read more from the original source:

Pros and Cons: Why You May (or May Not) Want To Rent Out Your Space - GOBankingRates