DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have always been on the fence about having children. I ultimately decided it would depend on who I meet and get serious with.
As fate would have it, I met someone who doesn't want to have kids for medical reasons. We have discussed it, and she is open to adoption if I ever want to have kids.
The issue here is my family. I have one brother and two sisters. All are married (or have been), and have two children each. For the last 10 to 15 years, they have made comments like, "When are you going to have kids?"
It has always bothered me, and I didn't know how to respond that I wasn't even sure I wanted kids. The subtle hints have only increased since they have met my partner and know how serious our relationship is. Once, they even asked with her present, which made her a bit uncomfortable.
To top it all off, my father has no brothers, and my brother has two girls -- so it comes to me to have a son to carry on our family name. They have subtly alluded to this a few times.
My family is close, and this will not create a rift between us, but what would be the best way to break the news to them that I am currently not planning to have children? And that if I do, it will be an adoption?
GENTLE READER: "I am currently not planning to have children. And if I do, it will be an adoption."