Women Who Have Children Survey

1.What is your age range?

2.How would you describe yourself when it comes to becoming a mother?

I always knew I would have children

I was open to it, but not set on it

I didn’t particularly want kids or think I would have them

3.Was having a spouse or committed partner a factor?

No, I would have had them on my own regardless

Yes, I wouldn’t have been interested in having them on my own

4.If there was a time before having children when you wondered if you ever would, how did this make you feel?

Worried and sad, in that it was hard to think about potentially not ever having children

Inspired and determined, in that I started making decisions to help my chances (dating, fertility, etc)

Excited and opportunistic, in that I enjoyed the not knowing and knew whatever happened would be the right thing

Neutral and non-phased, in that life was full and fascinating regardless of if I ever had children

5.When you found out you were going to be a mother, did you have a preference on the gender?

I was hoping for a daughter

I was hoping for a son

I really honestly did not have a preference

6.How would you describe your relationship with your nieces and nephews?

I don’t have nieces or nephews.

They are my world.

I keep in touch and we get together when we can.

I see them at family occasions and send birthday cards.

7.If you have nieces and nephews, which came first? Aunthood or motherhood?

I don’t have nieces or nephews

I was an aunt first

I was a mother first

8.If you were an aunt first, how would you best describe any changes in the relationships you had with your nieces and nephews once you became a mother?

Not applicable, I was a mother first.

Honestly, nothing changed. We were super close and still are.

We remain close, but admittedly not as close as we were before I had kids.

Once I had my own kids, I became much less close with my nieces and nephews.

9.What is your reaction to the statistic that 85% of women in the United States will have a child at some point in their lives?

Makes sense to me. Seems like everyone has children.

I thought there would be more than 85% of women who have children.

I thought there would be less than 85% of women who have children.

I don’t have a reaction. It is what it is.

10.What is your reaction to those who say that you’ll never truly understand or know love until you become a parent?

I agree with them

I see what they mean, but I don’t think it’s really fair to say that.

I strongly disagree with them

12.If you could go back to your life before kids, would you?

Yes

No