“Once we start having kids”

The other day I was hanging out with an acquaintance and we were casually talking about our hobbies, specifically traveling. I LOVE travel. I try to travel internationally at least twice a year.

She was telling me about how her and her husband also like to travel and do it often, but then she hit me with “We try to do it as much as we can now, because we won’t be able to anymore once we start having kids.”

You guys, the only word I can use to describe how that sentence made me feel is just DREAD. Like a visceral, deep sense of dread. The kind you feel when you’re watching a horror movie and you can tell something terrible is about to happen lol

Ive been reflecting on this interaction for the past few days, and I can’t stop thinking about that sense of dread. It’s so wild to me that people say that sentence “when we start having kids” and just.. don’t feel a heavy sense of impending doom? Like they feel positive about it and excited? HOW? I cannot wrap my head around it.

Because to me, she might as well have said “Once I have a root canal for shits and giggles.” I’m sorry, you’re CHOOSING this..? When you don’t have to? And you’re happy about this decision?

Just goes to show I absolutely made the right decision with my life lol