If you could re-live your life knowing what you know now, would you have still had children?

[chuckb4ss]

And is there anything else significant you would have changed?

No. In my next life Im not having any.

Yes, and I would have had 3 instead of 2.

Up until 6 months ago I probably would have said no. But my DH died suddenly 3 months ago and my daughter has become my entire world and I don't think I could have got through it without her. She's recently turned 3 and she's so much fun now and such a delight to spend time with. I'm so glad I have her.

Obviously I would have made DH go to the doctors sooner etc etc and hopefully he'd still be her, albeit living with a serious heart condition.

Other than that, I would have taken care of my body better and sought help earlier for my disordered eating.

Absolutely. They are adults now. They enrich my life.

Yes I would still have had them (I've got three) and I would have started earlier so I could have another!

Absolutely. I have a 6 year old and an 18mo non sleeping breast obsessed toddler but I wouldn't choose to not have them in my life.
I feel sad that people have regret about having their own children.

Oh god yes absolutely. For me personally my life would be less enriched and fulfilled without them and I would have missed out on a lot of the things that have brought me immense joy.

I would however, have had fewer. (Accidental and undiscovered pregnancy.)

Yes.
I had plenty of child free years to know the other side of not having kids.

I would have them all over again, definitely. They make me incredibly happy, and they have the same effect on dh, and it's wonderful to see him so happy after a tough couple of years for him. They are bright and funny and drive me crazy with the noise and mess and chaos. I love it.

Yes. I spent some years thinking I did not want children. Having dcs is a much harder and longer road and your life is not your own but there is meaning in life for others, which I did not get when I was child-free.

Yes definitely. It’s very hard work and I didn’t enjoy being a mum for a lot of the first year but it’s been getting much better now my DD is a bit older. I think I’ll stick with one though, I’m not sure I could cope with more!

Probably not. The thought of my children not existing is horrible though.

I'd have had children, yes, just with someone else.

I would have got married a few years earlier so i could have my big day.

Kids i'm happy as my dd is only 3 so she's not missing out on school or anything yet which I'm grateful for. We'll TTC again this year as was always the plan (i wanted a 4year age gap)

Yes.

Some days I crave my own time and fantasise about not having responsibility of kids. But in reality I wouldn't have it any other way. My boys are the best and I couldn't imagine not knowing them. I also suspect it will get easier when they're older and less dependent (they're 2).

I can't imagine being 50/60/70 with no immediate family.

Absolutely! Going to uni would probably have made my life more straightforward but wouldn’t have met DH probably so I wouldn’t want to change that. Would be handy to have the friends that Uni seems to guarantee though.

Absolutely yes but would have tried for two instead of one. I had DD when I was 42 due to circumstance. She’s 21 now and continues to enrich my life and always will.

Yes definitely, but I'd have them younger.

A few months ago I’d have said no, but I was still knackered and a bit depressed then.

Now I wouldn’t change anything, except I might have tried to rearrange things so we could have started earlier. Now I think I’ve left it too late to have more than two, even though I’m only 34, as I have found it very hard going physically.

DS is a joy and really fun; DH and I both feel privileged to be his parents.

I do miss my old life, and quiet weekends, but you can’t go anywhere now anyhow, and I know the years race by only too quickly. I don’t want to wish them away.

My DD is the best thing I have ever done. My only regret is that I was only able to have one child, another one would have been fantastic.

No. But maybe when they are grown up it will seem more worthwhile. Right now I just feel a bit cheated of my own life and hobbies and money. Maybe selfish.

I would have had children with someone else.

@peachgreen

Up until 6 months ago I probably would have said no. But my DH died suddenly 3 months ago and my daughter has become my entire world and I don't think I could have got through it without her. She's recently turned 3 and she's so much fun now and such a delight to spend time with. I'm so glad I have her.

Obviously I would have made DH go to the doctors sooner etc etc and hopefully he'd still be her, albeit living with a serious heart condition.

Other than that, I would have taken care of my body better and sought help earlier for my disordered eating.

So sorry to hear about your DH

Probably.
However, I would have done things differently: travelled, own home, strong career and lots of savings first. I was piss-poor when I had my DC!

No no and no