A message for parents who have posted here.

First of all, this is not intended to be a confrontation. <br><br>Secondly, I apologize for the length of this post. I have never posted here before so I am not able to link anything.<br><br>As a 28F who has been happily childfree since age 16, I joined this chamber just a couple weeks ago as a lurker. <br><br>I was curious, albeit completely firm in my decision. I have read a lot of the posts here, andI discovered that the majority of people who are childfree by choice have often been bullied or discriminated against for choosing not to reproduce. <br><br>I am no exception. My family will disown me when they find out I am still set on not having kids. I have spent years being demeaned and belittled by people whom I trusted. I am not sorry for my decision. <br><br>If you are reading this, I have already read *your* post, parents. I have read the desperate posts of people who think that their situation is unique. I have read the angry posts of parents who say we are bitter, that we can't understand their love for their children until we have children of our own, that we are making "back-up" plans that we most likely won't be able to follow through on.<br><br>To the first kind of poster, I am so sorry that your situation has led you to this place. I can empathize with being a victim. I would also like to encourage you to take some time to do your research. I found all of the resources I needed to make an informed decision in under half an hour. I even have links to them all on my phone so that I can quickly access them if I ever need to.<br><br>To the second kind of poster, is your cruelty towards us really helping your children? Is it helping you? <br><br>Your children are in school right now, or at after-school activities, or you are reading this while they sleep. You have no idea why I, or any other person, has chosen not to have kids. You do know the reasons *why* you have chosen to have kids. Are they something that you feel so passionately about that you will attack complete strangers for not making the same decision as you?<br><br>If anything, your hatred and aggression makes me more confident in my decision.<br><br>I understand that this is a tough economy, that raising children is a lot of work, that the world is not always a happy place. But in my small town in the middle of the United States, many of the people I know would happily house and care for someone else's child, or children, should the need arise. I'm not saying it would be a perfect situation, but it is not uncommon, and I'm sure it is the same in many places around the world. <br><br>This brings me to my point. If you are reading my post for one reason or another, and you are a parent who is genuinely overwhelmed by their situation, please do not assume that there is no help available. <br><br>I am not talking about government assistance. I am talking about the people around you who may be able to help, even if it is only temporarily.<br><br>If you are a parent reading my post because you are filled with hatred and resentment towards people who do not have children, most of whom have nothing to do with your personal circumstances, I hope that you are able to find peace and move forward in a positive direction. <br><br>I wish you and your children all the best.<br><br>Edit: I claim no credit for the concept of this post. I just put my own spin on things.<br><br>Edit 2: I have added some things to my original post that I did not have time to add before publishing it.<br><br>Edit 3: I have learned to not feed the trolls. I have no intention of replying to the angry parents who have commented on this post, although their comments are entertaining.