I don’t want to be responsible for a living thing ever again

[retirementislooming]

Brought up two children who now are adults with good lives. Have had various pets. I’m now 55 and never want any more responsibility for a living being. The peace is lovely . Sat here now with a huge glass of wine and utter silence. Anyone else feel the same?

I always felt this way, which is why I'm childfree with no pets. Welcome to the peace. Enjoy your wine.

Totally with you. I have a dh and young children, both with disabilities, and everyone but me wants a pet. It's not happening, I have enough care duties I'm not adding in something else. Yes I think it's great for children to grow up with animals, learn about life and responsibility, but fuck that. I'm too tired.

Not trying to wish my life away but at 34yo I often fantasise about my 50s for this reason.

You’ve worked too hard to waste time on caring for a gerbil…

Live the dream @retirementislooming 👏🏽🍷🍷

Dd is almost 6

I constantly flit between 'one and done, yay' to 'am I really one and done, don't I want one more?'

😄, tonight I fully understand you

I had 2 kids, they grew up, then I had another. Oldest is 21, youngest is 2. I'll see you in about 18 years! Lol

Yes, have an adult dd and had dogs in the past, love not being responsible for pets anymore, no need to find pet sitters / kennels, no rushing home to take care of them. Still love dogs but at the moment not going to have one full time.

That seems sensible and understandable op.

My dc are now well into the teenage years. Once they are independent adults, I'm looking forward to no caring responsibilities... parents died a long time ago so I won't have elderly parents to look out for or look after.

I have no desire to have pets either.

I have worked with children for 30 years. Had my own and some needy pets. I currently have an elderly cat who has turned needy.

When he is gone. I will officially after many many years be able to go to the loo without someone waiting outside or talking to me while in there or being in there with me as they are too little to be outside.

Yes , agree 100%. I really miss having pets - but the hassle and expense means I won't get any more, not unless my situation changes.

I also used to dream of owning a huge period house and I don't want one of them either anymore. Too much maintenance and cleaning.

I’m the opposite. 5 kids spread over over 20 years and I’m sad how big the smallest is.
The biggest even moved back with a partner. I grew up in a stuffed house, I’ve never slept alone in a room in my life! It’s quite scary to think I may confront it for the first time one day, it’ll be a shock. I’ve never had to be independent really.

I love my kids but have absolutely nothing left to give in terms of a pet! I'm sure they give a lot back but not for me....

Yes! I feel the same. I love feeling free to do whatever I want.

I feel the opposite! Where responsibility for living things come, love and purpose comes for me. I will never be without a pet, I get so much happiness and joy from them. I will also miss my DD when she leaves home!

Everyone is different though. Enjoy your wine, I’m having one too!

My cats bring me endless joy. I'll hate it when they eventually die. They are both very loving cats. One sits on my lap every evening and purrs all the time. The other gazes into my eyes and rubs his head into me. 😻😻

OMG yes to this. My kids are getting closer to leaving home and friends with dogs are asking if we will get a dog after the kids have gone. No we will not. I do not see the appeal of voluntarily taking on poo picking up duties 🤷‍♀️ I am also not keen on kisses from their doggies ie that tongue they lick everything with and that smells of meaty snacks slathering all over me.

I wasn't fortunate enough to have children of my own, but was the carer for my parents and my late husband.

I miss them terribly, but I still have nightmares where I'm dealing with medical emergencies.

When my husband died, I had people telling me to get a pet. I get that it was meant kindly - the idea of companionship - but no cat or dog is going to replace my husband and I refuse to have to care for another living creature again.

I had my children at 24 and 28. I’m early 40’s with two teens. I don’t doubt for a second that I will miss them loads when they fly the nest. I think I will be very emotional about it. But I also think I will be equally over the moon to bathe in the peace that comes from not being needed!

I wouldn’t be without my dogs! I really love animals- being around them calms me more than a glass of wine would.

It’s interesting, as I was broody as anything for years - my dc are teens now, so I am definitely still responsible for them, but there is no way I’d have another baby now (and technically I could, I’m ‘only’ 42). I will always have at least one cat though.

You could end up with grandchildren living with you seems to happen a lot on here

Not unreasonable. I love my dc and my pets (and my dh!!) but no, it’s not at all unreasonable to relish being free of responsibility to anyone or anything else other than you.

God yes! I’m 55 too. My kids are now young adults (19/21). Had three pets, now down to one elderly dog. So ready for not having caring responsibilities for living beings. One difficult parent left on my side though, so who knows how many more years of that to go…I’m dreading it.

I'm so sorry xxx 💕

I totally fucked myself by caving and agreeing to a dog last year. Kids are finally becoming self-sufficient teens while this numpty needs vets and feeding and walks and tooth brushing. Once he's gone I'm not even going to have a wormer.

I hear you op i have 2 grown up kids both moved out with their own lifes now.
I hate responsibility im only responsible for me now.
Love my peace and love the fact i can do what i want when i want.
Im single and not 40 yet for a few year loving the freedom love looking at my bank balance and and empty washing baskets.
Always be a parent but i dont do parenting anymore.