My wife and I have been married for 15 years. When we were first dating, we talked about having kids. She didn’t want any and I did. We still decided to get married, I guess I thought one day her maternal instincts would kick-in, and she would change her mind. But she hasn’t. Now the clock is ticking, and I really miss not having the any little ones. What should I do?

Childless in Rancho Cucamonga

Dear Childless:

Hmmm, you thought your wife would “change her mind” about kids, or you thought you’d badger her into changing her mind? Maybe you thought you could persuade her? Or that one happy day she would “forget” to take her pills?

I mean, when you were talking about planning your lives together, what possibly could have made you think she would change her mind about one of the most fundamental aspects of a marriage?

Your wife is to be congratulated for knowing what she wanted out of life and sticking by it. You on the other hand…

Well, I guess I’m 15 years to late to prevent the problem.

So what do you do now? You have to ask yourself if you love your wife more than you miss having children. If the answer to that question is yes, then live the rest of your days with your betrothed and drop the kid issue.

If think you’ll miss not having kids more, you should part ways with your wife so you can pursue other options. (Making sure you are honest with any women you meet.) But whatever you decide, you should make your decision quickly. As you say, the clock is ticking.

Love and licks,
Rico