If you had to pick between having a child or having a partner?

[Verynice44]

I’m not asking you to pick between your actual child or partner, as of course everyone would (or should) pick their children.
but hypothetically, if you had to pick one or other for your life, and forgo the other, which would you choose?
I would pick having a child and forgo a relationship.

edited to add- please say if you have kids when you answer or are child free

I think a partner is more of a gamble and much more likely to be a disappointment?

Cat. I'm child-free and don't want to live with any humans.

Partner no question about it

Definitely children,absolutely adore every bone in their bodies!

It’s very difficult not to pick child when you have children. Your love for your children is just so strong, so unconditional. I can’t imagine that someone with children wouldn’t pick child.

Definitely a child. DCs only lie about how much homework they have done. And even then, they do it with humour. 😀

Partner - however like a pp I would rather have a cat than either.

In my 30s and 40s it would be child all the way.

Now Im in my 50's and disabled, Im not so sure. I love my child to the ends of the earth, but am glad I dont need to rely on him and have my husband instead, because I would be lost without him and I dont want to put that pressure on my son as I want him to enjoy his life and not worry about me (can you tell, my siblings have expected me to care for both our parents and have struggled to catch up to the fact I can no longer do it).

I had to make this choice and I picked child. I left my partner as he decided he didn’t want kids. I knew I had limited time left to have children, and that was my priority. It was the right decision. I had 2 kids by donor sperm, and then 10 years later met my current partner. So now I’ve got both!

A partner. I would never choose to be a lone parent.

I agree.
Only a small minority of people are estranged from their parents/kids, whilst nearly half of marriages end in divorce. So from an odds perspective, you’re much better off backing the child option!

Partner
child free and no desire to have one ever

Children - I raised my eldest on my own and have such a great time with her.

Partners are great - but it’s rubbish when it goes wrong.

I did 10 years as a single parent and felt freer than when I was with her dad. The again I’m sure having the right guy makes a difference.

A child any time .i absolutely love my partner but the love for my children is just something incomparable to any other . I would be sad if I never get to feel that

A child, men can come and go but your child always remains your family.

Child

I picked my partner. Childfree not by choice. He's now with someone else and a father.

Children, without any hesitation at all.

I find it quite disturbing how many people have replied to say they would prioritise a romantic relationship over children.

Partner. I would never choose to be a single parent.

(Edit to add - I have kids, and a partner)

Child. I have a DC and I feel like this is the best thing to happen to me personally.

DH is fine and all. I feel I would be ok if I was single and I would happily not have another relationship again. I haven’t ever lived in my own which maybe is a huge part to this. I figure my kid would one day explore the world (but if not, I don’t mind, I love them very much happy to hold on as long as I can).

Partner.
I say that as a mother with grown up children, and as someone who is perfectly happy without a partner and have been for many years.

But you asked me to choose between one or the other. In an ideal world, a partner is a 'help meet' and soul mate for life. Children are for us to nurture until they grow up and leave home, to be free to make their own lives.
Definitely partner.

I did have to pick. I had a partner I loved but who didn't want children. I picked my unborn children and left. I didn't regret my decision.My girls are 25 and 19 now.

Starting over again? Partner

The X partner. He died last year in an accident.

A child