I admit it, I don’t know much about babies. Other than some babysitting and a Red Cross children’s first aid class, I don’t know much about having kids.

Just this morning I learned what a Diaper Genie is. Someone mentioned it in an offhand manner and Adam and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Later, he asked me what a diaper genie is. I said I assume it was some kind of diaper system or something. After tihinking about it I realized I had no idea what it was — but really, I’m not going to need one so I didn’t think about it.

Then today, I was looking at a friends baby registry — and there it was again. They were registered for some kind of diaper genie refills. So after some clicking around and reading descriptions, I learned what a diaper genie is. It’s some kind of diaper disposal system. The bottom line is that diaper’s smell, and if you don’t want to take them out to the trash everyday, these systems allow you to store used diapers for days in the house before you dispose of them.

I realize that theres’ a lot I don’t know about having children. Often people ask me (impolitely, I say) because I’m getting into my 30s, when am I going to have children.

Then answer is probably never.

I’ve observed people putting aside their dreams and try living through their children. I still have a lot I want to do and I know that I couldn’t fully pursue those with children in tow.

I definately couldn’t afford it. College tuition and fees at my alma mater is $38,800. My graduate school is $47,000 per year. You know how it is, we moved into one of those gentrifying neighborhoods, so we’d have to factor in private school tuition — at top schools in Los Angeles — was $17,000 last year . . . .

I could go on, racism, sexism, classism — I can barely tolarate it myself — I can’t imagine subjecting another to it . . . .

I know, I know, plenty of other people do it — I just don’t think I can.

Ironically, people think that it’s selfish of me to continue to live child free. I think I’ve done the most selfless act — sparing our overpopulated world of one more person. No one to feed, educate, pollute, and possibly burden society.

Just imagine all the baby pictures I’m saving you from.

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