BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Do you think you'll ever regret not having kids

Not ever for a minute. I've never heard any childfree people say they had regrets (and I'm talking about people in their 70's, 80's and beyond!!!).....but I've heard many, many parents of adult children say "I love my kids, but if I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't have them." As for the annoying question - 'who will take care of you when you are old?' - well - two things - 1. think about the number of nursing homes in the USA - don't tell me they are all filled with only childfree people!!and 2. - who says they will be around to take care of you? We have one friend in her 90's and all her children died in their late 60's.

Great points! I agree. I have spoken to a number of childfree people who have never regretted not having children. Married couples without children are happier I believe and can live a more fulfilling life. I see the jealous looks I get at work when the discussion turns to weekend plans and I say we are going mountian biking or for a wine tasting..and everyone else is going to see Sesamee Street on ice!!!

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I went to a concert a few weeks ago with a couple friends who are moms - they were discussing the plastic surgery they need to repair all the damage childbirth had done to their bodies...pouchy, crepe-y stretched out skin on their bellies....sagging breasts...stretchmarks. Neither one of them can drink because they're breastfeeding....and they could hardly keep their eyes open toward the end of the concert because they never get any sleep. Not to mention the fact that they spent half the night on their cell phones checking in to make sure their kids were still alive.

Nope - I'm not seeing a lot of regret in my future.

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Exactly. I was feeling sorry for ME for having such lame friends....children age people.

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Not seeing a lot of regret in my future either! There's nothing like going out with friends that can't stay awake past 9:00! Laura

i know probaly shouldnt be in this forum, but if you ask alot of parents if they regret having kids they will tell you they love their children, but if they had it to do all over again thier kids would probaly not be here, or some would say yes they'd do it all over again, but maybe at a different age or when they were more stable, ect, but i am not trying to speak for all parents, just trying to provide another side to this subject.

Lucky star,

I can't speak for everyone else here, but I personally appreciate hearing "another side" of the subject. I think, too, it's fine for you to be posting in this forum as long as you're respectful with what you say, which you have been. I think the fact that you're a parent looking at the issues of the childfree shows that you're pretty open-minded -- you have the ability to look beyond your current life circumstances and think about what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. I really applaud that sort of attitude.

As for the topic being discussed -- I live life with no regrets...every decision I've made has contributed to make me who I am. So no, I don't think I'll regret it.