It can be difficult to decide when to tell people intimate details about your life. The situation will dictate what is appropriate.

So when should you bring it up?

When You’re Dating

Sooner is always better than later!

How would you feel if you dated someone for a long time before finding out that he or she really, really wants kids? It would be a waste of time for both of you.

It is the same with being child free. You have to be honest about what you want out of life and how you feel about kids.

Whatever you do, NEVER let the other person think you “might” change your mind “someday” if that’s not true. If you know you don’t want kids, save yourself the heartache in the long run and come clean about it now.

At Work

At work, I don’t go around professing my personal opinions about everything all the time. That is inappropriate in the workplace.

But when casual conversation goes in that direction, I do express my opinion. When co-workers ask if I want kids, I am honest about it. Sometimes I elaborate, sometimes I don’t. It depends on who is asking, and in what context.

If your career could benefit from not having kids, it can’t hurt to make it plain to your boss that you have more time to devote to working extra hours to get ahead because a family in not in your future. People often assume women will have children, and that you might not be willing to work for a promotion if your priority is to take a maternity leave every few years.

There’s nothing wrong with being explicit about your career goals, and how you see yourself in the future of the company. If your career is important to you, then you should do whatever you can to advance it.

With Your Family

Even if your mother will be devastated that you’re not going to give her grandchildren, don’t mislead her. If you don’t want kids, tell her so. It is your life, and your choices are yours to make. Making your parents grandparents is never a good reason to have kids.

It’s usually best if each partner explains their child free stance to their own family. I’ve found that my in-laws interpreted my desire to be child free as corrupting their son’s future as a father, even though he has never wanted kids. It is important for both families to understand that you and your partner are on the same page about this.

It’s almost inevitable that someone at a family gathering will ask you when you’re going to have children. As with any situation, be honest about your decision to be child free. It’s never good to lie about it. But there’s no need to be antagonistic about it either and start a brawl with your grandmother about procreation over the dinner table. Be honest, state your reasons, and change the subject!