Do you regret (not) having children?

[ximxim]

I'm in my late 20s and so is my partner. Now that I'm coming to an age when I need to really start thinking about having children in the next 10 years or so, I'm considering remaining childfree. My partner's never been to fussed about being a father and has previously stated he doesn't want children.

I love not having children and having all the time and money for myself and to make memories with my partner. I don't want to give up on that but sometimes I wonder 'what if' 30 years from now I realise maybe I would have wanted children. Can you ever be 100% of this decision?

Literally no one I know would ever admit they regret their children but I'm hoping to see if any of you regrets being a parent or not being one?

I have 2 dc, I don't regret them but I'd have been happy without any too, I'm not very maternal and had no burning desire to have any. My sister is childless and several of my friends are too, not one regrets not having them. We're all in our 50's, no this isn't changing now.

I wasn’t bothered about having children and I think that had i not accidentally got pregnant With my boyfriend of 8 months 😱. .... I would probably be one of those women trying at the last minute and praying for a miracle. I’m so glad it happened this way because I never would have been ready otherwise.

There is no answer I guess apart from go with your gut. You still have plenty time and things can change dramatically - I was 35 when I got pregnant

You can't guarantee 100% that you're not going to regret any decision.

I never wanted children, never had them, I'm now 45 and couldn't be happier. There is nothing in mothers' lives that i would want for myself. But who knows, perhaps one day I will wake up at 75 regretting it. However, I'd much rather regret not having kids than regret having them.

It would be very foolish indeed to have children with a man who doesn't want them.

(I have neither children, not regrets. My childfree life with my DH has been wonderful.)

You can’t make a major, life-altering decision that involves bringing people into the world on the off-chance that you might regret not doing so. I wouldn’t panic — you have plenty of time to consider it seriously.

This issue deserves a lot of thought, and if you're not 100% sure, don't do it. I'm almost 40, never wanted or had any kids. Very happy with my choice indeed. I think too many people just have them because it's a thing society expects, without picking through all the ramifications.

We are childfree and have a wonderful life, no regrets at all.

Early 40s here, no children. Without going into the nuts and bolts of it I just derive my fulfilment from other elements of life. DH is the same. Never interested in having any. Neither of us has ever had any kind of parental drive. Very happy and fulfilled life, lots to put in a eulogy etc etc.

We did have a series of deep and exploratory ‘should we’ type conversations a few years back to dig around the subject a bit though. I think it’s important to talk about it, even if you have a settled view. I always wanted to let DH raise it if his feelings changed, and he was the same with me.