I’m conflicted

[Redtree1]

Hello everyone. It’s my first time posting on here, and I don’t know if I’m in the right area, but i would really appreciate some advice if possible.
I am 33 years old and literally 50/50 on whether I want a child or not! I know deep down I’ll regret it if I didn’t try, but so many outside factors seem to be putting me off. It doesn’t help that I live next door to a SCREAMING toddler who never seems to leave the house. None of my friends have kids, I think about my life and that I’m relatively happy at the moment. I just don’t know what to do!
I have never had a strong desire to have a child, but I’ve never had a strong desire not to have a child either! I enjoy hanging out with kids and playing with them, but I definitely don’t have the maternal instinct when a mother walks into a room with a baby! I don’t want to bring a child into this world and regret it!! But I also don’t want to regret never having a kid. I know my husband would make a fantastic father and I think I would be quite a fun loving mum. Any advice, or someone who has gone through this before would be greatfully received. thank you :)

Anyone else's child is not the same as your own child. I learned that as a teacher of 7 years and through various offers to 'take ours' during fertility treatment.

Life is too short to live with regret.

I agree that other people's children are nothing like your own. I wasn't really interested in other people's babies, not the kind to go aww and ask for a cuddle. But I knew I wanted my own and I'm totally maternal with them!

Next door's screaming toddler is also not something that should be a major factor. You don't have any idea what their situation is, and it is not representative of what things would be like.

I think you should think about the future, do you see possible grandchildren and a big family around you? Would you be sad if that wasn't the case?

Hi, I felt just like you. Have never experienced broodiness and have little interest in other people’s children. However I didn’t see my partner and I without children down the line. If biology didn’t come into it I’d probably have put off trying for another couple of years but we decided to TTC in case it took a while and got pregnant straight away, and I’m actually really really happy to be pregnant. It feels weird and not real sometimes but I don’t have any regrets. I still don’t get broody when I see other people’s babies though!

I was the exact same as you.
I'm 33. I've been with my husband for 10 years, we have a fantastic relationship and have always imagined ourselves being parents one day....but we've never actually had that strong urge.
We decided to stop not trying. We knew if I fell pregnant it's meant to be, and if not we would at least know how we felt (we would give it 6 months or so).
I fell pregnant quickly and we were both absolutely delighted. I'm now over 28 weeks and we're both so excited.

However, that's us! You have to go with what's best for you. I completely respect anyone's decision not to have children x