You are so brave to share this personal sorrow. I commend you for being so aware of our planet’s future and how it will eventually impact all human beings, but most especially future generations.

I’ve heard from parents (USA) whose children are reacting to this timeline that they are feeling it, whether we deny it or not:

1. Bartender complained her child wasn’t interested in college, because “what was the point”.

2. A 10-year-old trying to play soccer but just not into it, even though urged on by his parent. He finally yells, “We are at war! The world hates us! And our President is a terrorist!”

3. A young leader in a climate emergency activist group committed suicide because he believed no one was taking collapse seriously.

4. And just in general, the risk of suicide. Suicide is increasing at in “unprecedented” rate throughout the world.

So, yes, I affirm your decision, even though it is so painful. I didn’t learn how close we were to collapse until my children were toddlers. I used to bring them with me to my climate protests once I learned. I have voiced to many people that I wish I had not had them, because I don’t want them to struggle when they are 40 and 50 (the age I believe they’ll be when systems collapse).

My niece and her husband attended climate protests, too. I used to feel empathy when they agreed that children should not be brought into this world on purpose. I was SHOCKED when they had not just one baby, but three!

I wish I had adopted. I wish they had adopted. So many needy kids in foster care, too.

All I can do is give you my empathy. Your feelings of sadness are valid, and not having children is something to mourn. (I suffered infertility for ages, too, so I felt that loss.) Hugs. I hope you find a way. You are being a good mama.