My Partner Doesn’t Want to Have Children and I Do: What Can I Do?

PsychologyFor Editorial Team Reviewed by PsychologyFor Editorial Team Editorial Review Reviewed by PsychologyFor Team Editorial Review

What are the main reasons why a person does not want to have children? What can we do if our partner does not want motherhood or paternity and we do? Find out how to deal with this situation.

My partner doesn't want children

As relationships mature, it is normal to begin to consider whether or not to have children. In fact, it is a definitive question for the future of any couple. But what if My partner doesn’t want to have children and I do ?

I want to have children and I have started dating someone who doesn’t want them.

If you are starting a relationship with someone who is clear that does not want to have children, this is a sign that maybe this person is not for you. Especially if you are both very clear about your position and that you will not change your mind. Even if this person fits you, if starting a family is vital for you, you can’t move forward. The reason is obvious, neither you nor the other person will be happy, since you do not share the same goals or values.

Why doesn’t my partner want to have children?

On the contrary, things get complicated if you are in a long-term relationship and you see that the other person does not share the idea of ​​starting a family with children. Faced with this problem, it is important to start talking about it as soon as possible, since it is something that can cause conflict within the relationship. Normally, most of people who do not want to have children It is for the following reasons:

  1. Economic difficulties: This is one of the problems that can arise most frequently when considering have children within a relationship If this is one of the reasons, you should try to approach it calmly, since difficulties in this aspect can end up making you distance yourself from your partner.
  2. Lack of trust in the couple: Sometimes a person can not wanting children with you because there is a lack of trust in your involvement in the care of the future child.
  3. Traumas: In the event that your partner has experienced abuse from his parents, it is completely normal for him to feel some fear or fear that this will be repeated on his part.
  4. Body changes: One of the most common concerns for women is the bodily changes they may experience when they become pregnant. To face this reason with your partner, you should try to deal with it with the greatest honesty, since it can end up making it difficult to decide. to have or not to have children
  5. Waste of time: Many people they may not want children because having them means dedicating a lot of time to their care and the responsibilities that come with having children. Q
  6. Not having maternal or parental instinct: In some cases, the only reason you couple does not want to have children It is simply that he does not have this instinct and wants to dedicate his life to other aspects.

These are some of the most common reasons why a person may decide not to have children All of them are just as respectable as the decision to want to have them, but you must communicate with your partner if you want to have them.

What can I do if my partner doesn't want children and I do?

What to do if my partner doesn’t want to have children and I do?

If it is vital for you to start a family and your partner is not, this is a problem that you must face as soon as possible. Although this is a serious conflict, this does not mean that there are no options in which to reach a consensus:

  1. Don’t blame yourself for not addressing it sooner: One of the feelings you may feel when you begin to address this problem when you have been with your partner for a while may be guilt for not having paid attention to it before. But, you should keep in mind that there are many reasons why people find it difficult to mention this problem. In fact, sometimes mentioning this topic too early in a relationship can imply some suspicion on the other part, because it is a commitment that usually arises when a couple has been together for quite some time (due to the responsibility it entails). That is, you shouldn’t blame yourself for not doing it sooner, as it will only mean more negativity for you.
  2. Explore all the options you may have towards parenthood: You should try to discuss all the options you have with your partner to face parenthood together. Maybe you couple does not want to have children now and if later. Even if you are already old, there are viable options: from adopting to freezing eggs. On the other hand, you can also imagine options in which you can experience parenthood without having to raise a child, whether through volunteer programs to help young people or children, among others.
  3. Analyze whether ‘not now’ really means ‘never’: When you talk about have children, time is a critical component. Someone may be against having children at one stage, but perhaps sees the opportunity of parenthood as a possibility in the future. Faced with this option, you must emphasize that it is important for you to know. You should also keep in mind that it is important to respect the other person’s decisions and limits.

This problem must be addressed no matter what because of its importance. Therefore, if you think you are stuck in this conflict, perhaps you should consider the help of a professional psychologist. Whatever decision you make, you must prioritize the goals you have for your life.

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PsychologyFor. (2024). My Partner Doesn’t Want to Have Children and I Do: What Can I Do?. https://psychologyfor.com/my-partner-doesnt-want-to-have-children-and-i-do-what-can-i-do/


  • This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.