Mother’s Day can stir up a wide range of emotions depending on your experience and life journey. For some, it’s a day full of celebration and joy. For others, it can be a reminder of what they don’t have, chose not to have, or honoring loved ones who have passed. I’ve never publicly talked much about not having human children, not because I’m ashamed or embarrassed, but because I simply never thought it was a big deal. But as we head into this Mother's Day, I felt compelled to share a little more about my story because I know there are so many others that share a similar journey.
Growing Up Around Kids (and Loving Them!)
I actually grew up surrounded by kids. My mom ran an in-home daycare for most of my childhood, so there were always little ones running around. I started babysitting on my own at age 11 and even worked as a nanny in my younger teenager years. I’ve always had a soft spot for kids. I think kids are adorable (most of the time, lol), and I still love making babies laugh. But here’s the twist…even with all that exposure, I always knew deep down that I didn’t want to have kids of my own.
“You’ll Change Your Mind”...But I Didn’t
Everyone around me told me I’d change my mind someday. And you know what? It’s totally okay to change your mind as you grow, evolve, and experience life. But I never did. That inner knowing stayed steady.
Fast forward to meeting Troy. We dated for years, got engaged, got married, and now we’ve been married almost 8 years (and together for 24!). Throughout our relationship, we had open and honest conversations about having kids. Thankfully, we were always on the same page and it wasn’t part of our plan.
“You’ll Regret It Someday…”
Even now, at almost 40, I still hear that dreaded comment from people: “You’ll regret it someday.” But here’s the thing, life isn’t a one-size-fits-all. There are a million ways to live a beautiful, fulfilling life. As long as you’re happy, not harming others or yourself, and living with a kind heart, your life is yours to create.
Motherhood Doesn’t Define Worth
Motherhood isn’t the only way to be valuable or important. Everyone’s journey is different. Some people can’t have kids. Some choose not to. Some adopt. Some are step-parents. Some dream of being parents their whole lives. None of these paths are wrong. And none of them should be judged. Your worth is not determined by whether or not you have children.
So… Joke’s on Me 😅
The funny part? I didn’t want to deal with dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and middle-of-the-night wake-up calls. But becoming a dog mom has brought all of that right into my life anyway and I wouldn’t change a thing. 😂 I’ve been pooped on, woken up at 3 am, stressed over vet bills, and lost more sleep than I can count. And I’ve done it all with a full heart.
Especially since opening our hearts and home to senior dogs, being a dog mom has been the most rewarding decision of my life. It’s a privilege to care for them, to experience life with them by my side, and to be surrounded by the kind of unconditional love that words could never fully explain.
At Cogs Dogs, We Celebrate ALL Moms
Here at Cogs Dogs, we’ve always believed in celebrating every kind of love, especially the kind with muddy paws and unconditional tail wags. So, to all the moms, however that looks for you, this Mother’s Day, we celebrate YOU.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!
With love & pawsitivity,
Susie Cogswell, Cogs Dogs Mom
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