Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you have children again?

186 replies

SherbetSaucer · 24/09/2019 17:52

So this isn’t a ‘do you regret having children’ thread or an ‘if you could have your time again would you still have them’ thread but I was thinking...

Hypothetically, say you knew you were guaranteed to come back again in another life after you die, knowing what you know now would you have children in that second life (you wouldn’t get the children you currently have)?

If yes why and if no what would you concentrate on instead?

AIBU to assume a lot of parents would make the decision to experience a childfree life the second time around?

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 24/09/2019 18:17

No if I couldn't have my ds

Mintjulia · 24/09/2019 18:18

Yes, without hesitation. My ds fills my life with fun, humour and affection.

I’ve got my head round the scuffed paint, less than perfectly clean loo and obsession with pizza and Ninjago Smile

Mac47 · 24/09/2019 18:19

I lost all broodiness once I had one. And I'm not maternal at all. But I do really LIKE my dd though, so if I could guarantee getting the same one again, I'd probably have to. If it was a random kid, no chance.

formerbabe · 24/09/2019 18:19

Probably.

I wouldn't say definitely though... Having children has meant I no longer work and barely have a social life.

EauDeResistance · 24/09/2019 18:20

Nope

Endofthedays · 24/09/2019 18:21

No. I don’t think I have been a very good parent.

EssentialHummus · 24/09/2019 18:21

I’m not sure. I value quiet and freedom far more than I realised pre-DD. But she’s a pretty good toddler and I think I’m fairly lucky with her.

Minai · 24/09/2019 18:22

Yes, in a heartbeat.

ByeGermsByeWorries · 24/09/2019 18:23

A definite no. Grin

Shockers · 24/09/2019 18:23

Absolutely! And lots of cats too!

Dahlietta · 24/09/2019 18:25

Goodness, yes!

Booboosweet · 24/09/2019 18:27

Yes. My child is great. At times it's been more difficult than I expected though.

ginyogarepeat · 24/09/2019 18:27

I would as I've loved parenthood over the last six years, absolutely loved it. Only thing I'd change is my ability to have more than one, as it looks like that won't happen for me in this life.

Booboosweet · 24/09/2019 18:27

I would have my career too because it's very important to me.

krustykittens · 24/09/2019 18:28

No.

666onmyhead · 24/09/2019 18:29

No, as no way would I be this lucky with my fab family again. I could end up with brats!

Loveyou3000 · 24/09/2019 18:29

Not if I remembered my past life. They wouldn't be the daughter I have now and that would be hard for me, I think.

allthepeoplethatcomearound · 24/09/2019 18:31

No not if I didn’t have the child I already have! I do quite like this one and don’t think I’d take to another Grin

BogglesGoggles · 24/09/2019 18:32

Definitely not. Life would be a bit grim without them.

girlandboy · 24/09/2019 18:34

No.

I love mine and they're grown up now but I would like a life being responsible only for myself and a significant other.

That makes me sound selfish, but there we are.

angell84 · 24/09/2019 18:35

I don't have children, and I was reading a spiritual book that said we all have multiple lives, and that we come to Earth to experience many different things.

Some people just choose to come to learn how to play tennis for example. (The famous tennis stars).
It said that some people come to Earth with their main intention - to experience beig a parent. They want to see what that is like. That if you are meant to have a child, you will have a child.

I am in my mid thirties and I do not have children. I do not want children. I don't feel ready for them in this life. And if I am thinking of future lives, I would like to experience at least 4-5 more lives without children. I don't feel ready for them.

I think that you need to be an advanced and wise soul to be a parent!

HauntedPinecone · 24/09/2019 18:36

No definitely not.

Whoops75 · 24/09/2019 18:37

Yes but later and I’d swap genders for a change

I would have liked longer with just dh. I foolishly thought we would get free time once the children were reared but you’re never as carefree.

A career wouldn’t satisfy me, everyone can be replaced, where’s the feel good factor in that?

user1493413286 · 24/09/2019 18:37

Yes but I think I’d do it a bit differently. Currently I’m trying to “have it all” which means having little bits of everything so if I did it again I’d do it differently

DCIRozHuntley · 24/09/2019 18:38

Yes. I know it's not very cool but my children are my life's work. I mean, I have other important things going on for me but there's nothing as rewarding, all consuming and fascinating as raising children. I grew up with my parents fostering and have always worked in care / childcare so I think I lean towards it personality wise.