Parents - Do you think people without children have missed out?

[Pshop55]

So this is for parents only! I want to know if you feel that people without children are missing out on a big experience/feelings/joy & ‘don’t know what they are missing’ and be honest! No one is judging just want honest answers as we have been talking about this tonight, obviously everyone’s answers are just their own opinion before anyone gets offended!!

Yes. But then I'm missing out on their lifestyle.

Christ no. Missing out on what? Exhaustion? Sleep deprivation? Never having a minute's peace? I envy the child free.

I feel the opposite I feel I’m missing out (on life) by having children but then my situation is different from most people.

I feel sad for those people who desperately want a child but can't have one for whatever reason but no, I don't think they're missing out or that their lives are less full because of it.

No. I don’t think folk without kids are missing out.I live the one life I have got not the life someone else has. Conversely I don’t think anyone is looking at my life thinking….gosh wish that was me

I think both sides miss out on the other side, if you see what I mean.
There's 2 very valid lifestyles available but by having one you miss out on the other.
So it just comes down to priorities and what you really want out of life!
I have kids and love it, but also envy the child free at times
But you can't have both!

I have 2 kids. Well one is an adult. I absolutely adore them and I wouldn’t be without them.

But I think people can have equally fulling, happy lives and relationships without kids. They can have people they adore and wouldn’t be without and not have kids.

Well yes..they are obviously missing out on certain things... seeing a person who you know is half you is pretty as amazing. On the other hand I can see lots of benefits of remaining child free. Both choices have their pros and cons.

Yes I do. I had an extremely full and wonderful life pre kids but I have never known love and joy on a par with parenthood. The early years are very tough, but the privilege of growing, birthing and raising a human is better than anything else I have ever done.

This is exactly what I think. I have a few friends who are child free by choice and I don’t think any of our life choices are better than the other just the right thing for each individual.

There are positives and negatives to both sides.

Yes.

Having my beautiful daughter is the best thing has ever happened to me. She unlocked parts of my heart I never knew were there.

I honestly don't know what life even was before becoming a Mummy. It is the greatest gift.

No, not at all. Same way I don’t think I’m missing out by not having a dog.

I would say my child free friends have a lot more joy than those of us in the trenches with tiny DC.

Having children is the ultimate gamble. It can be a positive amazing life enhancing experience or it can frankly ruin your life. If I’d known how high the stakes were I would have paused. Fortunately we are in the former camp (for now) but friends are not.

Yes I do. I think they miss out on a lot.

But then, I think having children limits you a lot too, unless you're extremely wealthy.

This!! No one has the perfect life, we make choices and accept the rough with the smooth. Obviously sometimes being child free isn’t a choice, but there will still be benefits to that life.

So do I. I miss my old life so much it’s painful.

Yes. Having children is an incomparable experience and literally what we were born to do. That’s not to say it is right for everyone but it is life-changing, immersive thing on a completely different level to going on holidays or having pets.

Unless they wanted children and were unable to have them, then no. If it’s not something they want, how could they possibly be missing out?
And I say that as a SAHM who is beyond happy to be so. Motherhood is everything I’ve ever wanted and is better than I’d ever hoped.. for context.

People who really want children and cannot have them are missing out. It is a pain that permeates every day. I experienced it for 10 years and felt I was missing out terribly.

Then I got lucky and had children and am doing the things I wanted, thankfully. People who wanted children and have them are sometimes loving it. Or sometimes missing out because they did not realise the reality of parenthood and mot liking it.

The child free are not missing out. They are living as they wish.

Some parents are missing out. Those who did not want children but have them are missing out on all the things they wanted to do.

So sometimes people are missing out. Maybe everyone is missing out on something. But I do not think it is as simple as saying that anyone without children is missing out.

Jesus. I have 2 DC and I’m pretty certain my childfree friends don’t just go on holiday and look after pets.

I think I prefer the people who are a quarter or slightly more of me who I could and can hand back to their parents.

(With the cans their parents better bloody stay alive.)

Yep, couldn't have said it better 🤣

No. I love my kids, but fully know it's nto for everyone. The only thing I think about was when I used to work in carehomes and the childless elderly never had anyone come visit. I think that would be my only thoughts on it really.