500 Women Scientists discussion

I am at the part where she discusses this idea of cooperative breeding in humans.
This idea rings very true for me. I have two children. The only Tim I felt a strong need to be physically close to my children was when I was exclusively breastfeeding them. When it came time to return to work I had an enormous sense of relief. I felt guilt about this do to the social norm that I need to miss my babies all the time. Sometimes I did miss them, but I took a great deal of comfort knowing my children were getting cared for by other people, including my own mother.
I also know many women who don’t have children and are happy. I see this pressure from societal norms that makes them feel like they have to have children.
Very few women I know don’t have children and are openly happy with their choice.

Do you have children? Why or why not? How did this books discussion of cooperative breeding reinforce (or negate) your feelings or choices?

I am so behind on the book, but I want to get to this part so bad. I don’t have children and absolutely agree on the societal pressure comment you made. It is one my topics of interests, so I read all that I can about it - can’t wait to get to that part of the book! Although given how hard it’s been to find time to read, I’m afraid I will never finish in time :(