Why dont you want children?

[teaandbiscuits89]

I have a 15 year old who I absolutely love to bits and would not change for the world. BUT if i hadnt fallen pregnant really young and it wasnt possible for me to have my exact DS (not a regretting kids post!) Then I dont think I'd have had any children. I am still of child having age and I definitely dont want more children... to avoid rambling more... what's your reasons for not wanting children? If people who dont want children have even made it onto mumsnet!

There’s loads of Childfree people here, but the ‘parenting’ section is not the place to find us 😆 I’m Childfree because I cant stand being around children, pregnancy and labour horrify me, as does dealing with excrement for years, loud noises, tat, drudgery, the expense, burden for life, my genes are trash, I don’t feel entitled enough to force someone into 8+decades on a catastrophically dying planet. 1 million more consumers are born each week.

My mum spent my childhood telling me children were expensive and a tie and ruined one’s life. She had 6.
So I avoided having children until I too found myself unexpectedly pregnant. Now my ds is the best and most precious thing in my life

Lots of reasons but it boils down to disliking children (noisy, unpredictable etc) and disliking who people become when they have them. Women especially seem to totally lose themselves and even if their partners wanted children women take the brunt of the childcare, chores at home and feel the biggest impact on their lives and careers! Child rearing looks like exhausting and thankless work.

I have so much more freedom than my friends with children. A good whack of disposable income, I travel to new and exciting places several times a year, my house is clean, tidy and quiet (one of my childfree luxuries is a housekeeper). I can be self-indulgent every single day! Regular spa days and massages. Every evening is my own, in fact every moment I’m not at work is my own. I don’t have to share my DH. People who meet us for the first time think we’re still in the honeymoon phase despite being together 11 years. Life is blissful and I can’t imagine giving that up for the sake of having a child!

I have a DD, but the obvious reasons for not wanting children seem to be:

You don’t want that lifestyle (children affect all areas of your life, significantly reduce your freedom and your disposable income for the majority of your life, you may be expected to help with DGC etc)

You don’t like children (noise, tedium etc)

All of the above, specially the tedium, the noise, the expense. People without children are generally happier than those with.

Mainly, however the looming disaster to the plane caused by destructive humans, the economic migrants currently arriving in the U.K. are a fraction of the numbers that will arrive in 10 years time.

I’d say not wanting to give up things they enjoy doing is probably the biggest reason. Holidays, nights out, sleep etc. I loved doing all of them before my little girl was born and now they are few and far between... BUT I wouldn’t change it for the world! A 2 week holiday is lovely but watching this tiny little person you brought into the world grow and learn and love you is better hands down. You can still have your holidays just with a baby. The noise and mess is obviously another big reason, personally doesn’t bother me. We were all babies at one point and I’m sure we were pretty noisy 😂 our parents survived so I’m sure we will! Personal choice

I would have loved children but unfortunately it didnt happen between my partner and I
I am gutted about it although never bring it up or mention it

However I am glad that I have never had kids which I would no doubt let down or hurt ( emotionally ) at some point
sad but true , I am too old now at 49

This popped up in Active Chat ...
I've never wanted kids and decided that when I was a kid myself...
I struggled growing up making friends, school break time and lunchtime were horrific for me. I hated it.
I'm not an easy person
I wouldn't inflict that on another person.
Sadly I've disappointed my parents, but I'll never change my mind and now early 40s

I used to not want children because they made me feel uneasy and most of all I was far too selfish. I also had strong reason to believe I couldn't fall pregnant naturally so I hardened myself to the idea of children.

Now I have a baby son, and my whole life has been turned completely upside down, but I genuinely wouldn't change it for the world.

I don't want to be pregnant and give birth and be off work for years and have no sleep for a long time. But I do want kids, planning to adopt. At the moment enjoying my two nieces.

'Dealing with excrement for years'

Haha love that.

So I only have one and it took nearly a decade of marriage before feeling remotely ready.

I would have been just fine had I remained child free. I love time spent alone with my animals.

Obviously o won't be having any more.

Every study suggests having kids makes you unhappier and if you're in a relationship having children makes it worse.

I'm a logical person and struggle to find reasons TO have children. That along with the above suggests it's not worth it.

I also struggle with my mental health and didn't have a great childhood so think I'd be a bit rubbish at it.

I look at my friends with children and it looks hard, exhausting and miserable a lot of the time. Or at least that why they're little.

I have a rich and fulfilling life - hobbies, interests, friends, travel - and am not convinced having children would make me as happy.

Having said all that, I keep an open mind! Although I'm a bit old now.

Exactly, Another , I can’t think of one single justification to force another consumer into existence, I would feel so, so guilty. (And hate every second. It’s not something I would ever put myself, or another human through)
I’ve said it before, but people really, really, need to stop saying they were ‘selfish’ before they bred/that they enjoyed their ‘selfish’ life before breeding etc. Stop it. Having a kid is the most selfish thing you can do, to the planet and to the kid, stop saying that living without contributing to overpopulation is ‘selfish’, ffs.