The author, a 45-year-old parent of two adult children, is coming to terms with the fact that neither child plans to have kids, meaning she won’t have grandchildren. The older child has even scheduled a sterilization procedure. While understanding and respecting their children’s decision, the author reflects on the broader trend of declining birth rates, which is evident not only in the U.S. but also in countries like Japan, France, and South Korea. The author acknowledges the challenges of today’s world—such as the climate crisis, politics, and school shootings—that may contribute to younger generations choosing not to have children. By 2030, it’s projected that older adults will outnumber children in the U.S., suggesting that many others may also face a future without grandchildren.
