To ask how many people you know....

[MovieQueen12]

Who are single with no kids in their thirties and what do you truthfully think of them?
I honestly know no single people my age and I know a fair amount of people.

A few and I don’t think anything about it 🤷‍♀️

Loads and I don't think anything of it.

Loads, and I kinda envy them sometimes...

I only know 3. A cousin of mine in her 40s who is divorced with no kids.

2 cousins of my husbands who have never had a bf/gf and also in their 40s.

All my friends, DH friends and the rest of all our cousins are married/have kids.

I don't think anything of it really except that I project what I'd want onto them in my head. So I think "it's a shame they're single" because I'd want to be married with kids by their age. For all I know though, they're perfectly happy as they are.

1 woman and 2 men- all in their 40's though. Likely more, they are just the 1st ones to come to mind 🤔

Ive known a fair few and some who've moved into their 40s and 50s... What do you mean what do we think about it/them?

Essentially every single one of my friends who have not moved out of London yet. In general I think absolutely nothing about it either way. We all want different things in life and there are huge advantages to not having children. But specifically for many of my friends I feel sorry for them because I know they do want children but just can’t bite the bullet and move out of the money drain that is the capital to be able to have them.

Both my children, a niece, a nephew, a whole bunch of colleagues, the bloke next door. are single, childless, and in their 30s. They are lovely people. I'm not sure what you mean by asking what I 'truthfully think of them', but I suppose my answer has to be 'I think they are great!'.

My cousin (well, 1st C 1x removed).
She would prefer a partner. That's as much opinion as I can muster.
Easier said than done. Am I supposed to have an opinion beyond that?

Not everyone wants the same life as their parents, & people like you.

Half n half in my friend circle. In fact just recently been to 2 weddings I near 40s decided to meet someone n get married

I know 1 friend who has never had a relationship, and therefore no kids.

I don’t ‘think’ anything about her. Nothing negative certainly if that’s what you are getting at

she has a good job, an active social life, a nice flat in a lovely area. She’s my friend, her relationship status and life choices don’t affect me

Most people in my opinion feel pity or embarrassed for them.
I find it so odd that I know nobody else in my position. I have a lot of people I associate with and they are all either married/in a relationship or have kids. It feels lonely sometimes to have nobody like me.

Quite a few tbh. As long as they're happy, I'm happy for them. My only worries are a friend that I know really would like to settle down but seems to struggle with dates - she's being proactive wrt fertility but I know she'd like a partner and it bothers her- and another friend who seems to be letting the world pass her by.

Similarly have a couple of 40+ single friends. Both seem pretty happy. Open to dating but comfortable in themselves whatever happens.

Do you feel self pitying (for want of a better word) and embarrassed about your situation? Are you projecting your feelings onto them?

I know a fair few people but only 2 who are single and have no children.

Loads.

I don't think anything about them as a group because they're not one homogenous group of people.

My friend who wants to be married and have children but hasn't found the right person? I feel sad for her because she's sad about her situation.

My friend who is massively career driven and the mere thought of having kids makes her gag? I think good for her. She's absolutely living the life she wants.

My friend who says he wants kids/marriage but can't stop drinking/partying? I worry about him.

My friend who lives a great, stress-free life, enjoying holidays and hobbies and things she likes? I envy her.

My friend who is much older and never had kids, retired early and lives and insane life? He's the most interesting person I've ever met and possibly the most content. He's one of my favourite people to spend time with.

I think the 'everyone gets married and has kids' vibe is quite small town. I live in London, people make all different choices here. It's good.

Are you maybe projecting the feelings of pity and embarrassment?

I've got a fair few friends with no children and I don't feel any way about it.

My brother is late thirties and single. I envy him for all the peace and quiet he enjoys as I have a busy family life!

My cousin would be mid 40s and she’s in a relationship that is a same-sex couple they’ve decided against children. They seem to have a marvellous life.

I am one and I think… when am
I going to feel like I’m old enough to settle down!

I had a quick think and came up with nine. And these are only people I consider close friends (ie were invited to my own wedding a few years ago), otherwise it would probably be a lot more. I also have friends who tick one of those boxes - are in relationships but without kids (by choice) or who are single parents (again by choice). It's really not that uncommon!

As for what I think of them, they're my friends so normally just that they're lovely people and I hope they're happy, etc. Certainly not pity and occasionally even envy. 😄

One I know. Married to her work so no time for love. A shame

I'm older but a lot of the people are know don't have children - some through choice, others not but a lot have had interesting careers

Loads at work. A few from school days.

I think they're all different, some never wanted kids whereas some did but for varied reasons it didn't happen. Some I have no idea.

I definitely do not feel anything like embarrassment. Those who I know are sad about not having kids I do feel for. But those who dont feel sad, then neither do I. I certainly don't pity the happy/contentedly childfree!