Asking for a friend: My partner of 10 years has changed his mind about not wanting kids and I feel totally blindsided

'Him being in his late 40s and suddenly wanting a child is a big turning point for how the rest of his life pans out.' Photo posed

Caroline West

Q: My partner and I are in our 40s and I thought we were happily child-free, as we had discussed this at the start of our relationship and several times. Now he is saying he is reconsidering his stance and he most likely does want a child, maybe two.

I’m in perimenopause, so even if I wanted to get pregnant, it would be quite the struggle, one I don’t want to go through. When I look ahead at my life, I can’t see me parenting a teenager when I am in my late 50s and 60s.