For starters, don't assume your closest relatives are going to be WILLING....

Yes, it's Reddit, but so what. It could happen.

https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/14jyzhu/borther_and_sisterinlaw_are_mad_at_me_for_having/

As many have said, with regard to single parents who date (different subject, of course), such parents frequently target people who make it clear they don't WANT children in their lives. Why? Because the parents are desperate for ANY adult to date who doesn't already HAVE children. (Step-families are already highly vulnerable to divorce, even when only one party has children.) As the top commentator pointed out in the above thread, the parents don't want their kids to have to share/compete with a future guardian's kids.

Oh, and here's another comment:

AnonymousScienceGuy1
"They didn't want to name anybody else as guardians because most other people have kids too, and so might expect reciprocation.

"i.e. I'll take your kids if you die, but you also have to take mine if I die.

"They didn't want to have to agree to take in anybody's else' kids."

Lenona <lenona321@yahoo.com> wrote:

>For starters, don't assume your closest relatives are going to be WILLING...

>Yes, it's Reddit, but so what. It could happen.

>https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/14jyzhu/borther_and_sisterinlaw_are_mad_at_me_for_having/

The parents were beyond stupid. They made a huge request in an off-hand
manner at a family party. This is something that requires privacy and
very careful negotiation.

ANYONE ambushed like this to be forced to make a life-changing decision
should flat-out say "no".

There's a great scene in About a Boy (2002) between Hugh Grant and his
sister, played by Sharon Small. She's trying to twist his arm so he'll
become the godfather to her daughter.

Will: I couldn't possibly think of a worse godfather for
Imogen. You know me. I'll drop her at her christening. I'll
forget her birthdays until her 18th, when I'll take her out
and get her drunk and possibly, let's face it, you know, try
and shag her. I mean, seriously, it's a very, very bad
choice.

Christine: We know, I just thought you had hidden
depths.

Will: No. No. You've always had that wrong. I really
am this shallow.

>. . .

In article <u7hsef$1r34n$1@dont-email.me>, Adam H. Kerman
<ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

> Lenona <lenona321@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >For starters, don't assume your closest relatives are going to be WILLING...
>
> >Yes, it's Reddit, but so what. It could happen.
>
>
> >>https://www.reddit.com/r/childfree/comments/14jyzhu/borther_and_sisterinlaw_
> >are_mad_at_me_for_having/
>
> The parents were beyond stupid. They made a huge request in an off-hand
> manner at a family party. This is something that requires privacy and
> very careful negotiation.
>
> ANYONE ambushed like this to be forced to make a life-changing decision
> should flat-out say "no".
>
> There's a great scene in About a Boy (2002) between Hugh Grant and his
> sister, played by Sharon Small. She's trying to twist his arm so he'll
> become the godfather to her daughter.
>
> Will: I couldn't possibly think of a worse godfather for
> Imogen. You know me. I'll drop her at her christening. I'll
> forget her birthdays until her 18th, when I'll take her out
> and get her drunk and possibly, let's face it, you know, try
> and shag her. I mean, seriously, it's a very, very bad
> choice.
>
> Christine: We know, I just thought you had hidden
> depths.
>
> Will: No. No. You've always had that wrong. I really
> am this shallow.

Thanks for reminding me about how much I love that movie.