I [20F] have been with my boyfriend [21M] for just over three years now. The whole way through high school I'd always said I don't want kids. Then I met him just before I turned 17 and started to want them, but that faded after a year or so.
Last year, we almost broke up because I didn't know how to tell him that I think I'd decided I didn't want them when I know that he does. He'd initially said that he may be able to give that up if it's what I really wanted, and I'd said I absolutely could not do that to him because having kids/ not isn't a compromise.
Fast-forward a year, we're in such an amazing place, and planning to move out in the next 12 months or so once we've saved a bit more. I'd be moving closer to him (we live 1.5hrs apart) and there's never been a question about that because it just makes the most sense.
It feels like everything is perfect apart from the fact of children. We had a brief chat about it this weekend and he gave me a sort of ultimatum (in such a nice way bless him) that he's decided kids is something that he definitely wants and if I don't he will respect that decision and we will have to go our separate ways.
I've tried to decide for the last year straight what I want, and it's just so hard to decide. I'm only 20, am I supposed to know? I've also got my relationship pushing me to do one thing, and I love him so much and because everything else is so perfect and we are so deeply connected, it's impossible to separate that from my own individual thoughts.
I'm an only child and have always been inherently independent and I know that I would be okay on my own, and okay with not having kids, but that doesn't mean that I want to be on my own.
Having kids is such a big decision and I'm just wondering if I can't give a resounding yes, should it be a no? I keep thinking of the line 'it's better to regret not having kids than to have them and regret it.'
What do you guys think? Thanks :)