How many 'great' child free years did you get before becoming a parent?

[CheesyGhost]

I mean the years where you were thoroughly enjoying adult life, doing whatever you wanted (obviously within reason) with very few responsibilities. Be that travelling, having a great social life, being a cosy hermit with Netflix, focusing 100% on your career; whatever total freedom meant for you; how many years did you have before becoming parent. And what made you feel you were ready to give up those freedoms to have children?
I didn't like my university experience sadly and saw it as an extension of something to endure like school to reach a better side and it did work, but it means I count these 'great' years from after finishing university.

DH and I do want children but are enjoying life right now and want to feel we've made the most of it before we start our family. I'm not saying that having a family is not wonderful in itself; clearly it is and we do want that, I'm just very aware that it's a very different kind of wonderful and we need to be prepared to say goodbye to this part of our lives for now at least when we decide to start trying.

I had DS at 30 and had all kinds of fun before then- travel, adventure, nights out, adrenaline sports. But I do still travel and have adventures with the children, we have travelled all over Europe and do all kinds of outdoor sports (skiing , sailing, kayaking , mountain biking) so I don't feel like life stopped and really they are such lovely children (95% of the time ) that i count my best years as beginning when my children came along, not ending. That doesn't mean I don't like to do things for myself still, and I love my career and seeing friends etc, but I always knew I wanted to be a mother and I don't miss nights out at all. I felt quite happy to "settle down" at 30.

I've been a parent my whole adult life. First at 18, second at 20 and third at 28. Now 36 and some of my friends are just having their first.

I had 15 years of partying, travelling, etc. I love being a mother now - I don't feel I miss out on anything as I've already been there/done that.

My children recently looked through some of my old photo albums and were amazed at the cool things I'd done. This was nice as currently they only see me going to Aldis or being in work!

6 years post-uni, where we had spare cash and great jobs. First child at 30. If I had my time again I'd leave it another 2 years, so as to be a bit more established career wise and financially.

Around 5 really

I didn't really enjoy uni so much

31 years. I looooved my 20s doing whatever i wanted. Those years were so precious 😊 and those 20s you never get back.