How Many Children Should You Have?

We talk to three women who made very different life choices

- Frances Leate

‘I JUST NEVER HAD THAT BROODY FEELING’

Sallee Poinsette-Nash, 41, runs a company that helps create and build brands, and lives in London with her husband, Andy, 44, and dog, Lulu. Jumping into a taxi on my way back from a work meeting, I can’t help but notice the photos of children the driver had pinned up in the front. ‘Are they yours?’ I smiled, making conversation, to which he nodded.

Only, then I realised my mistake, as he turned to me and asked, ‘How many do you have?’ When I told him I had none, I saw the look of surprise on his face before he told me I was missing out, that there's nothing better than a life with kids. It was a speech I’d heard hundreds of times.

The fact was, I’d never wanted kids. I’d just neverhad that broody feeling I’d heard so many of my friends describe over the years. While they all cooed over babies, I just felt awkward and uncomfortable.

My feelings didn’t change, even after I met my husband, Andy, then 30, in April 2006. Thankfully, he wasn't bothered about having children, either, and instead we both focused on travel and our careers – me as a personal brand consultant, and him as a broadcast consultant. We travelled the world in our free time, North Africa, across Southeast Asia – and many other countries, ranging from Indonesia to Iceland – and enjoyed spending time with friends and our dogs.

By the time I got to my mid-30s, many of our friends and colleagues questioned our decision, worrying we were leaving it too late. To make sure we were absolutely certain, Andyand I began spending time with friends’ children, and even had counselling.