Katlego Sekhu
A 35-year-old listener shares that she is the only one in her friend group without children.
As they’ve grown older, she feels judged and out of place during outings, as conversations revolve around babies and motherhood.
She wonders whether this is a sign to step away from the friendship or if there are any blind spots she might be overlooking.
“I am a 35-year-old woman; unmarried, single, and with no kids. I have been friends with my girls since our first year of varsity. We have been going strong, but as we get older, I am starting to feel out of place.
“While not all my friends are married, they all have kids. Over the years, I didn’t feel it as I was never the only one with no kids, but one other friend gave birth late last year.
“Whenever my friends plan outings, it’s always something that accommodates kids. Yes, they always invite me, but I often feel lost and out of place. Plus, there are questions about me getting old and how I need to have kids of my own. And the conversations always lead back to the kids, nappies, school, homework, etc.
“I love my girls, but being around them is becoming a trigger and making me feel like I am lagging behind. I hate how I feel whenever we are together. I feel I only get invited out as a courtesy.
“I am tired of feeling this way. Will walking away from this friend group help me? Or should I just face the reality that almost everywhere I go, women my age have kids? What could be my blind spot?”
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