Is There a Gene for Motherhood?

[indie_voter]

71. I never played with dolls or really craved kids.

My husband's biological clock began to tick, I thought we had decided on a child free life. To make a long story short, I decided to have kids, I was in my mid 30s.

I would love to know more about this research. The gene itself seems to be about the drive to reproduce, the desire to have babies. However, if people who don't have the gene have kids, what happens? Does something activate? Hormones? Something?

I personally feel that something did change inside me after I had my kids in that I've made personal career sacrifices I never thought I would prior to kids.

Did I love my babies immediately? Nope. I didn't feel that rush of baby love everybody talks about. Nothing.

However, I did fall in love with them. They are the most important part of my life.

Honestly? I'm enjoying the teen years (which is where we are now) than I did the baby years. I remember everyone telling me to enjoy the baby time because I'll miss it once they're teens. I don't. I never liked being a mom to babies. Meanwhile, I love this stage of their lives. I love that they question me, have their own opinions even if they don't always agree with mine.

I wonder if this is related to this gene? Is this why some people love the baby years while others just wait for it to be over?

Meanwhile, I know I only have a handful more years with my kids in my house and now I find myself wishing I could keep them as teens forever but of course that is ridiculous. They have their lives to lead and places to go!