Best part of being childfree

[Mintgum]

Whats the best part of being childfree.
I chose not to have children knew from an early age i never wanted them.
But i have been ask why not whats so good not having them my reply was whats good with having them.
I like my life i like doing what i like i love my freedom.
I have no intrerest in schools finger painting teen dramas i also like sleep.
I dont have the stomach to be around them when they are eating either.
My sister didnt like my reply.
And told me im missing out on what love really feels like.
I replied with.
I'm really not missing out on anything.
You're the one that had kids in your late 40s and all you want is help.
And now im in the doghouse because i was rude.
My family all know dont ask me to baby sit because it won't happen.

This is awful. I totally understand not wanting children of your own. But I cannot fathom this way of thinking. How does it even work practically? What do you do at family events or if you want to socialise or pop over to a relatives to catch up? Do you ignore their kids? They are people too. What happens when they grow up...are they suddenly acceptable to spend time with?

Ive had migraines all my life from childhood now 37 years on still have them.

I echo this statement wholeheartedly.

I don’t have any problem with children in general, I get on with my teenage niece & nephew when I see them and the small kids in the family are cute. Happy to smile and chat and send nice presents at birthdays & Christmas but that’s really as far as it goes.

The parents who come on these threads & express horror at people not liking kids are being pretty disingenuous IMO, especially as there are plenty of parent posters who say they only like their own kids but can’t stand anyone else’s. Go off & start an AIBU about that.

Oh stop. I don't think this is a thread you can bring any benefit to.

There's a big difference between random kids and actual family though isn't there?

It's actually nothing at all to do with being a parent....I have lots of childfree friends who love their nieces and nephews. When I had my dc and my sister was childfree, she loved my kids. Surely the key issue is the fact it's family rather than children.

But but but FAAAMMMIIILYYY!!!

It actually astonishes me that people don't understand that others their lives differently, they have different family dynamics. Why is that so hard to understand? What don't you get?

Some people don't want to spend time with their family, they don't get on for whatever reason. Families are people that are thrust upon you - for most they are not who we would choose to be a part of our lives. I didn't choose to be born, I didn't choose the people that are related to me. Why should I love someone just because we share some DNA?

I wonder if there’s a forum that has a ‘without children’ section that doesn’t have that issue

clue is probably in the forum name!!

I came to this thread as a childfree person to see so many comments from parents! How can a parent know what the best thing about being child free is any more than I know the best thing about being a parent?!

because I was child free for 39 years! Of course I know!

Amen to this i know a few people that their adult kids have no contact with them.
And knowing they gave up their lifes to raise and do whatnot over the years just for a child to not like you or even want to be a part of their lifes.
You can choose your friends but you cant choose your family.

🐈

@Wondergoldenlight you weren’t child free- you hadn’t had children yet.
That is very different from the situation where you know you will never have children, through choice or circumstance. That you will be 40,50,60,70 etc and not have children. That is a different situation than those who plan to or decide to have children at some stage.
I know I won’t have children, I knew that before I was 39 so my perspective was and is different to yours. My life has different benefits and challenges which you won’t always understand, just as I won’t understand yours.
I don’t pretend to know what life is like being a parent- whether that was at 16 or 39. Please give those of us who are child free the same consideration. Especially on the child free board.

Why do people with children always turn this forum into a bunfight? Why are you all so angry that people don't wish to change nappies or babysit? How does it actually change your life?

For me, the peace and quiet, the freedom, the fact my identity is all about me and nobody else. I like sleeping and just looking after myself.

I see wonder woman is back. Yay. You think they would have better things to do on a Saturday afternoon.

😆this made me laugh.

Nothing better than ignoring your kids on a Saturday afternoon so you can try and start fights on the internet about why parents are superior to non-parents.

Hopefully a stinky nappy or two might keep her occupied for a while.

I like the freedom to do what I like, when I like.

On a whim, I booked a last minute holiday to Greece and 24 hours later I was enjoying the sunshine. Didn't need to worry about what I packed or whether the hotel was child friendly. I'm sadly coming home tomorrow although it won't be long before I'm away again.

And as it turns out, I have a rare genetic heart condition for which I've needed two major surgeries to stay alive. I'm glad that it will stop with me.

I do this just up and gone ive not long got back from spain.
And like you i will be off again soon with no cares or stress.
Just up lock doors come home when i feel like it.

I don't really see the point in creating a thread on mumsnet about the good things of not being a mum ? That's your choice and good luck to you. Each to their own. It may be great now. When you are an old lady trust me it really won't be. That's when you will have regrets.

I wont regret it i dont regret it and never will i have a plan in place for when im old and past it.
Ive even paid for my own funeral (cremation thats what i choose) so no worries about that either.
Why would anyone want to rely on their own kids because they are old.

Nothing better than ignoring your kids on a Saturday afternoon so you can try and start fights on the internet about why parents are superior to non-parents

I’ve literally not expressed that sentiment anywhere. Why would parents be superior to non parents? In fact, I clearly stated this up thread. It’s a choice which I respect either way.

I have one 10 yr old so I won’t be ‘changing her nappy’ and she’s currently tidying her room before we’ll have lunch together in the garden. I don’t know why I’m justifying to you that typing on a forum isn’t ‘ignoring your children’ but here I find myself

It's nothing to do with having to rely on your children. It's having a family of your own. Grandchildren great grandchildren all the rest of it that makes older peoples lives so much better You will be lonely. You can't say you won't regret it because you arnt there yet. That is when your decision will come home to roost.

This is the board on Mumsnet for those without children.

I don't really see the point in commenting on posts here when you clearly do have children.

Do you go to the board for cat owners and tell them all that they will regret not having a dog?

We can create threads here. MNHQ have created a board for people who don't have children.

Why should we trust you?
What regrets will we have?