A woman has admitted she is 'put off' having children in case they are born with a disability.
The woman says she is while she has 'endless respect' for parents of children with additional needs, she herself doesn't feel like she would cope.
Posting on mumsnet she said: "I’ve been reading about the day to day experience for people who have kids with (low functioning) autism. It sounds really, really hard.
"There’s nowhere near enough support and it sounds like a really tricky burden to shoulder.
"I know this sounds horrible but it’s putting me off the idea of becoming a mother, at least to some degree.
"Parenting is hard as it is, but I think dealing with someone who never matures past the mental age of a 3 year old would break me and DH. I have endless respect for people who manage it.
"It’s a tricky one, though. We do really want to have bio kids, but we’re scared to roll the dice.
"A sign we’re not cut out to be parents?"
The post attracted hundreds of comments from people and divided opinion with some saying their kids who had additional needs were perfect and they wouldn't change a thing about them./
One said: "What a strange way to think about your future. Would you divorce your husband on the off chance that he is disabled later in life? I have both very able and very disabled children. Both bring me joy and sadness."
Another added: 'Children with extra needs and disabilities aren’t just born with those challenges. Illness and accidents happen. It could happen to any of us. A friend has become her now severely disabled husband’s carer after a car accident.
We are far less in control of our lives than we think we are. You can’t plan for everything."
"It is hard but being a parent is hard. I have 3 dc, 1 has asd. He’s challenging sometimes but he’s quirky and never dull. The other two can be nightmares!
"We don’t get support and he probably won’t ever leave home but I wouldn’t change him."
Another mum said: "But you run the risk of all sorts of issues when you have a baby. My son is autistic and he is pretty amazing. So smart and funny... dry dead pan wit, he has us in hysterics laughing on a daily basis. I wouldn't have him any other way."
"My SEN son surprises and delights me every day. He is beautiful," added another.
However others came out in support of the woman saying she was right to consider every eventuality.
One said: "I think the fact that you verbalise this is good. I often think the same thing. Parenting is hard with an NT kid."
Another said: "My parents are in their 70s and still caring for my sister who has a leaning disability, autism and epilepsy. It's pretty relentless."
"I have an SEN child, but I was in a place before pregnancy where I could accept the possibility. It’s actually in some ways had positive effects in my life and where I am, but I recognise for others they would be very difficult.
"No one has to have kids."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
