Kim Cattrall is set to guest host BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour on September 14, and according to reports, she’ll tackle topics like choosing not to have children.
The Sex And The City actress has spoken before about her decision, saying that when she was younger she was sure she wanted to have lots of kids. As she got older, however, and found herself without a committed relationship, she explored her options as far as sperm donors and ultimately found it didn’t feel right. But there was always pressure, she said, from outside sources.
“I…thought that without having children, I’d be missing something unique to being female. It’s incredible that the female body has such power—the gift of giving life. I wanted to know that power and fall in “unconditional love” with a child. No one could ever describe that love to me except to say, “It’ll happen to you when you see your baby in your arms,'” Cattrall wrote for Oprah.com.
Kim says she has found other ways to fulfill her maternal instincts, and it works out just fine for her. Instead of listening to everyone else, she learned to listen to her own body and mind.
“When I feel lost and can’t make a decision, I just stop and get quiet. I take a time-out. I ask myself, “How does this feel? What do I want my life to be like?” I try not to listen to the shoulds or coulds, and try to get beyond expectations, peer pressure, or trying to please—and just listen. I believe all the answers are ultimately within us…I realized that so much of the pressure I was feeling was from outside sources, and I knew I wasn’t ready to take that step into motherhood. Since then I’ve found other ways to fulfill my maternal instincts—when a young actress comes to me for advice about her career, or when I give a talk at a school, babysit my friends’ kids, or work with children’s charities or organizations. And even though I’m now married, my decision still stands,” Kim Cattrall said.