To not have children because of money & holidays

[tutufruiti]

We are not poor but not rich either, somewhere in the middle. We are comfortable and can afford holidays and days out if we're not too extravagant on other things.
I want a baby but don't know if I can give up having holidays and going out on trips and enjoying life. We would be able to afford a child but would have to give up holidays and for me it's the best time of the year! I've also started to see how difficult and stressful my friends find it having kids and it's putting me off!
Would I be silly to not try, when it has always been my dream to have them? It had always been in my plan I suppose because it seems
to be what people do and I hadn't questioned otherwise. But now I'm starting to wonder if it is worth it?

Parenthood is also a voyage of self-discovery. As a single person, you only really scratch the surface.

So.... all the single childfree people out there are not living life fully (in technicolour as you describe it)? They only scratch the surface of life? How would you know - you're not one of them. Perhaps they are very happy and fulfilled. How patronising of you.

Rollonweekend Of course single people can be happy and fulfilled. Not everyone wants to undertake a voyage of self-discovery. But it is still a fact that parenthood forces you to confront parts of yourself that a single person is much less likely to have the opportunity or desire to.

RollonweekendOf course single people can be happy and fulfilled. Not everyone wants to undertake a voyage of self-discovery. But it is still a fact that parenthood forces you to confront parts of yourself that a single person is much less likely to have the opportunity or desire to.

Many life experiences do that. Caring for an aged parent, fighting cancer etc. The idea that parenthood confers a unique wisdom not available to non patents is nonsense.

The idea that parenthood confers a unique wisdom not available to non patents is nonsense.

Parenthood does that. I would not say unique 'wisdom' because that is a loaded term. I would say unique 'perspective', just as caring for an aged parent or battling cancer does.

It is not controversial to make that statement. Every parent knows that having children is one of the most life changing experiences a person can go through, if they choose to.

A non-parent does not have the same life experiences as a parent. They categorically cannot.

@blueshoes But it is still a fact that parenthood forces you to confront parts of yourself that a single person is much less likely to have the opportunity or desire to.

Absolute bollocks. We all live full lives and actually those of us without children have the luxury of exploring the world to a greater extent.