If you could go back in time and do one thing differently ...

[annie987]

... what would it be?

being less strict and more understanding with my DC1 and not done cry it out or time outs/ naughty step etc. I think it damaged him at some level. have parented my other dc differently and it shows.

Told my dad I Ioved him rather than hated him ( on my visit home from uni) before he ended his life a few weeks later.

Be born to a different family?

Purely because as only child there was so much expectation and obligation put on me. Still on going even though I'm almost 50 and she's 90.

Studied Geography at Uni. I wanted to be a Geography teacher. Just didn't have the confidence.

So many things, but many of them would mean I never met my husband and so my daughter would not exist.

However my biggest regret for several reasons is not staying at school for A levels and then going to university.

Not give up my private sixth form scholarship I worked my arse off for because my DM put me in a hostel at 16.

Often wonder where I would’ve ended up.

Probably nothing. Even things I bitterly regretted at the time have taught me a lot and I can't now at some distance untangle them from the person I've become.

This is my philosophy too. It is what it is. Learn, and move on.

Not listened to my teacher who told me I wasnt smart enough to go onto anything other than college. I didn't speak all through school and was treated as being stupid. I could be in such a different place if I had just believed in myself. I'm nos trying to change where I am but it's not so easy at 36 working a full time min wage job.

@citychick mine is geography degree too! It was my favourite subject

Started a different career path (attempting to do now but it's one that would have been much easier pre-responsibilites).
Not let myself develop an eating disorder in my teens. Recovered now but feels like I'll always have issues with food.

Not opt out of the Teachers Pension scheme for 5 years.

Not regain the 8.5 stone I lost.

Wasted years with twat face ex. Certain house which buggered us financially.

But my decisions have made me who I am now and taught me stuff.

I would have gone to college and done beauty and hair. I always wanted to do it and was talked out of it by my school as well, it was the 90s and everyone went to uni. I didn’t want to go, dropped out of 6th form and have worked dead end jobs ever since. I wish I had made my voice heard and not let adults talk Mei to something I knew wasn’t me

Not messed about at school.
Joined the civil service/ police service/ taken up my offered training place for Mental Health Nursing.
Stood up to bullying manage instead of leaving.

I would have bought that house back in 2002. It would have been a stretch to pay for all the work that needed doing and the upkeep but I would be so much better off now......

Not turned down the place on a nursing degreee course when i left the forces in 2004. Regret that to this day

Lots of things but it all started going wrong when I stopped trying at school. My mum died when I was 13, and although I should not use that as an excuse, it definitely had an effect. No talking about it then, you just had to get on with it. I have never lived to my full potential and my lackadaisical approach to life stemmed from then. My life, in all aspects, can be described as "That will do".

@mrscog

It meant to say to study geography.
For some reason I chose another subject.

Geography is still my favourite subject. Alas I'm too old now, but I am a teacher. So I got half my wish.

Swallowed all the pills.

Not got married, stayed happily living alone.

I wouldn’t have adopted.

Nothing every mistake, heartbreak or sadness moulded me and changing one thing might mean losing one joyous moment.

Definitely would have chosen a different degree subject, or not gone to university at all until I had a better idea of what career I'd like.

I would not have gone to university.

Been much more switched on/ruthless about finances and property when i met exDH :(