What to do if you disagree with your partner about having kids

Financial strain

Concerns about partner's involvement and parenting

Potential body changes

Repeating unhealthy family patterns

Loss of friends and/ or social life

Impact on lifestyle

Concerns about overpopulation/ societal problems

Dislike of children

Unwilling to accept the responsibility

Fertility issues

Lack of parental instincts

Interest and commitment in pursuing career goals

Not part of their life vision

Take some time with your own feelings about this situation

Explore your partner's surity in their decision

Explore the issue with kindness, curiosity and compassion. Instead of asking why they don't want kids, talk about how they arrived at their decision.

Talk to your partner explicitly about their non-negotiables early on in the relationship

If there is no space or room for conversation/ negotiation/ consideration/ compromise

If the issue is causing significant mental/ emotional distress

If an ultimatum is made for a decision and the date of decision passes without a decision

If the differences in your opinions affect your quality of life

If both of you are unsure, but not resolute in your decision

If the relationship is going strong with excellent communication, respect, care and consideration and you plan to revisit the conversation in a predetermined, acceptable amount of time

A willingness to consider additional options together (e.g. adoption/ fostering/ egg freezing)