I was never that interested in children in my 20s. Come my 30s, settled in a good job in the area I wanted to work in, we thought I should come off the pill. Nothing happened. A couple of years later we found ourselves going through the infertility thing. One blocked, one partially blocked Fallopian tube. The harder it became, the more desperately I wanted a baby.
I got lucky and had DD (21) at 34, followed by DD2 (19) just short of 36, and DS at 40 (after 2 miscarriages). Yes, in some ways I know life would be easier without children, but knowing what I know now, it would also be very empty.
It's a hell of a responsibility to bring up decent human beings, and I don't think we realise how much until the children are already here. Then there's the worry, from them being ill when they are very little, whether they are walking, talking etc when they should, right through to learning to drive, going out socialising in their teens, leaving home....
They drive me mad, there's no denying but they are my favourite people in the whole world to spend time with. They have grown up bright, witty, fun, loving and great company.
We didn't have holidays for years when they were little. I didn't care. We had very little money to spare, so much of our income went on childcare. My parents helped financially where they could, and spoilt our kids so much, but they both passed away when DS was 2. We never had any practical help as they were too far away.
I was totally absorbed by my babies, but I still worked fulltime, and began a Masters when DS was 10 months, successfully, and subsequently a diploma in leadership and management.
I would never suggest to anyone that you can't have a happy, productive and fulfilling life without having a child. What I can say is, my life has been so enriched by having my children in it. I am still not that 'into' children as a species but I love my own dearly. I am so proud of them, the loving, thoughtful, intelligent and caring young people they have grown into. Every achievement fills my heart with happiness; every slight makes me feel murderous on their behalf!!
To the OP I'd say, you won't know whether being a mum is for you until you have a baby, and then it's too late to send baby back! My mum, who had 4 children, used to say that you never know you have a child until you have 2. So, if you are unsure, I'd say that one child couldn't be that much of an encumbrance on your life. Only then will you know whether or not you want any more. And if you don't have a child, well then you will never know either way.
Anyone who tells you that being a mum is easy isn't telling the truth; it's hard work. It involves sacrifice. It's only been in the last few years that I have felt that I have got 'me' back. We've been going on regular holidays the last few years, and I've been away with DD1 on her own and with both DDs and we had an absolute ball!
@Sharon, I really don't understand how you can regret having 11 children, and didn't stop having them long ago? IMHO 11 is ridiculous and there's no way I could deal with that! 11 kids would wear anyone down x