25 Couples Delve Into The Impact Of Going Child-Free
This candid conversation offers a glimpse into the diverse reasons, challenges, and joys that accompany this decision.
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In a world where societal norms often dictate the path of life, the decision to go child-free remains a subject of intrigue and discussion. Recently, a Reddit thread became a platform for some couples to share their insights and experiences regarding the impact of choosing a child-free lifestyle.
This candid conversation offers a glimpse into the diverse reasons, challenges, and joys that accompany this decision.
Image credits: NetworkOver7742
Image source: waitedfothedog, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)
63 year old gal here. Not for a second. I have enjoyed my life and plan to enjoy the rest of it. Just didn't have the baby urge. Likely going to be a different response from folks who are without child but wanted a child.
Image source: FluffySpell, Kindel Media / pexels (not the actual photo)
Life is great. Zero regrets here.
Image source: eltimb0, RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)
My salary isn't bad, but I may as well be rich, considering I have no kids, no debt, no expensive weddings. Unlimited free time to do whatever I want, whenever. I struggle to imagine why anyone would want children so badly.
Image source: EstroJen, Yaroslav Shuraev / pexels (not the actual photo)
I'm 42, single. I have more money for my dogs which is nice.
My mom hounded me about having kids while I was still a kid. I've always been child free but my mom would negate my opinions saying I'd change my mind or "who will take care of you when you're old?" It finally got to a point where she told me I was selfish for not giving her grandchildren. It just added into my decision to go no contact with her.
So I guess that whole "who will take care of you when you get old" idea is moot.
Image source: Ultimatelee, RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)
Pretty good! I’ve always known I wasn’t a mothering type and I met my partner in highschool and he had the same feelings. We’ve never changed our minds and we are going on 22 years together. We live a full life, eat out heaps, go to concerts, the theatre, holidays, we have so much freedom it’s insane. We nurture our hobbies, and sleep in a lot. All of our friends have kids and complain constantly about how hard it is, how exhausted they are and how much money it’s costing them. No regrets on our side.
Image source: gratefuldad20089, Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)
My dad used to say I wouldn’t take $1 billion for one of my children but I wouldn’t pay $.50 to have another one.
Image source: InnerAd3454, SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)
It’s AMAZING, thanks for asking!
Image source: StrikingRise4356, Ketut Subiyanto / pexels (not the actual photo)
No it's been great having lots of disposable income instead of disposable diapers. Bringing another human into this f****d up world would not have been a good choice for us either. Parenting is not for everyone.
Image source: Lulu_42, Anastasia Kostyleva / pexels (not the actual photo)
It is the absolute best. Last night, on a weeknight, we went out for Mexican and had a couple of cocktails. Walked home, very slightly toasted and had an amazing night. We were able to do that and so many other things because we have cats, not kids.
I am the eldest of five children, with terrible parents. Plus, most of my siblings chose to have children. I know exactly what I'm missing and I am honestly happy about it every single day. I have the utmost respect for parents because I know how hard it is - you basically go without sleep for years, you sacrifice all your money and free time, and your body (as a woman) often suffers major changes that you may not have been prepared for, some of which are permanently harmful.
Image source: WorldBiker, Kampus Production / pexels (not the actual photo)
We regret it profoundly. In retrospect we could have done it easily and well. And both of us come from varied backgrounds and know plenty of couples who have had good and bad experiences, but the bad experiences are very few while the good are considerably good. So, yeah, life mistake and too late for both of us to do anything about it.
Image source: KittikatB, Teona Swift / pexels (not the actual photo)
Yeah, I regret it a lot. But it wasn't my choice so, I just have to figure out how to live with that.
Image source: angelaelle, Dan Birlem / pexels (not the actual photo)
Zero regrets. Travel, fun, work, friends, fun hobbies, lots of money I didn't have to spend on kids. And to those who say who's going to take care of you when you're old: I find it disgusting that you had kids expecting them to waste their lives taking care of you.
Image source: SunnyGirlDD, Anete Lusina / pexels (not the actual photo)
As I sit here in silence drinking my coffee w/ baileys & enjoying my wake & bake as I look off into the quiet snowy morning I must admit— Wait. Is that a goose? I’m off to follow it & see where the day takes me…
Image source: Not_a_werecat, Greta Hoffman / pexels (not the actual photo)
Thank goodness we don't have any. Life is hard as hell. We'd probably be homeless now if we had the extra financial burden of children.
Some of us don't end up rolling on piles of money. Some of us are just celebrating that we're not financially underwater as we would have been if kids were in the picture.
Image source: skillao, Pavel Danilyuk / pexels (not the actual photo)
23 year old chiming in to say it's very relieving and validating to read all your responses. I don't want children and never have, but I'm at that age where everyone swears I'm gonna change my mind and it's frustrating. You're all living proof I can, and will, be happy without children.
Image source: CocoaAlmondsRock, Yaroslav Shuraev / pexels (not the actual photo)
55 here. Not for a microsecond do I regret not having children.
I am happily married with a healthy, frequent sex life. (Married 25+ years, first-and-only husband.)
We're comfortable with dual incomes. We live in a house we love in a place we love. We have time and funds for hobbies. We have great family and friends. And dogs. And cats. And horses.
Nah, I don't regret it AT ALL.
Image source: i-need-blinker-fluid, Lisa Fotios / pexels (not the actual photo)
No regrets here, we are enjoying the flexibility and free time. The only issue we have is finding more people to hang out with as everyone seems to be too tired/busy because they have children.
Image source: AffectionateYam9637, Yan Krukau / pexels (not the actual photo)
Amazing, 54 this year, she is 52, we have been together 32 years. I would not change a thing.
Image source: Tagihi, Gary Barnes / pexels (not the actual photo)
My wife and I decided not to have children.
We go out for dinner a lot.
If we had kids I think we'd be divorced. We have overcome a lot and it took 100% of ourselves at times to accomplish. If we had also been parents at the time I don't think we would have made it.
Image source: Zoe_Hamm, Kampus Production / pexels (not the actual photo)
My partner and I have the freedom and the life we wanted. We can travel whenever we want, save money, sleep in, have late nights out. Parenting was never something either of us wanted and looking at the state of things all over the world, we're extremely happy with our decision.
Image source: Appropriate-Emu4576, Andres Ayrton / pexels (not the actual photo)
Not over 40 yet, but getting there. So far, life is brilliant. We know several parents, and at least a few of them look like they have very happy lives with children. So I don't think a life with children would have necessarily turned out miserable. But that would have been a different kind of happiness, and we are content with our own version.
The most important difference is that we are not obsessed with making more money or living at a particular standard to make our children happy. A few of our upper middle class friends send their children to private schools where annual vacations abroad are the norm for their peers. The pressure of keeping up with the Joneses to make their children happy is enormous. We know that there is nobody after us. We only need to save for a comfortable retirement. We are not trying to build trust funds for anyone. The knowledge that we are accountable for our lives alone is very liberating and we are very happy we made that choice.
Image source: FoxyBiGal, Cassiano Psomas / pexels (not the actual photo)
Absolutely no regrets. My life is my own.
Image source: Kjata1013, SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)
It hurts like hell that I can’t have children. But I’m beginning to accept it’s for the best. Both of us have depression. I have anxiety, ADHD. I fight every day to do basics for myself. My partner does too. We should not bring a child into this world like this. So we work together to help each other and just be the best Aunt and Uncle we can. I grieve for my unborn children but I know it’s for the best.
Image source: hugatree2023, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)
We are in our 50s now. Not a single regret.
#1
Image source: waitedfothedog, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)
63 year old gal here. Not for a second. I have enjoyed my life and plan to enjoy the rest of it. Just didn't have the baby urge. Likely going to be a different response from folks who are without child but wanted a child.
#2
Image source: FluffySpell, Kindel Media / pexels (not the actual photo)
Life is great. Zero regrets here.
#3
Image source: eltimb0, RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)
My salary isn't bad, but I may as well be rich, considering I have no kids, no debt, no expensive weddings. Unlimited free time to do whatever I want, whenever. I struggle to imagine why anyone would want children so badly.
#4
Image source: EstroJen, Yaroslav Shuraev / pexels (not the actual photo)
I'm 42, single. I have more money for my dogs which is nice.
My mom hounded me about having kids while I was still a kid. I've always been child free but my mom would negate my opinions saying I'd change my mind or "who will take care of you when you're old?" It finally got to a point where she told me I was selfish for not giving her grandchildren. It just added into my decision to go no contact with her.
So I guess that whole "who will take care of you when you get old" idea is moot.
#5
Image source: Ultimatelee, RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)
Pretty good! I’ve always known I wasn’t a mothering type and I met my partner in highschool and he had the same feelings. We’ve never changed our minds and we are going on 22 years together. We live a full life, eat out heaps, go to concerts, the theatre, holidays, we have so much freedom it’s insane. We nurture our hobbies, and sleep in a lot. All of our friends have kids and complain constantly about how hard it is, how exhausted they are and how much money it’s costing them. No regrets on our side.
#6
Being child free is one of the best decisions I ever made! My life is untethered and I’m free to do whatever I want without guilt or sacrificing something. There are a lot of people who had kids and now resent them. They won’t admit it but a lot of people wish they didn’t have kids or they regret who their co-parent is. Image source: Big-Hope7616#7
Image source: gratefuldad20089, Andrea Piacquadio / pexels (not the actual photo)
My dad used to say I wouldn’t take $1 billion for one of my children but I wouldn’t pay $.50 to have another one.
#8
Image source: InnerAd3454, SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)
It’s AMAZING, thanks for asking!
#9
Image source: StrikingRise4356, Ketut Subiyanto / pexels (not the actual photo)
No it's been great having lots of disposable income instead of disposable diapers. Bringing another human into this f****d up world would not have been a good choice for us either. Parenting is not for everyone.
#10
Image source: Lulu_42, Anastasia Kostyleva / pexels (not the actual photo)
It is the absolute best. Last night, on a weeknight, we went out for Mexican and had a couple of cocktails. Walked home, very slightly toasted and had an amazing night. We were able to do that and so many other things because we have cats, not kids.
I am the eldest of five children, with terrible parents. Plus, most of my siblings chose to have children. I know exactly what I'm missing and I am honestly happy about it every single day. I have the utmost respect for parents because I know how hard it is - you basically go without sleep for years, you sacrifice all your money and free time, and your body (as a woman) often suffers major changes that you may not have been prepared for, some of which are permanently harmful.
#11
Image source: WorldBiker, Kampus Production / pexels (not the actual photo)
We regret it profoundly. In retrospect we could have done it easily and well. And both of us come from varied backgrounds and know plenty of couples who have had good and bad experiences, but the bad experiences are very few while the good are considerably good. So, yeah, life mistake and too late for both of us to do anything about it.
#12
Image source: KittikatB, Teona Swift / pexels (not the actual photo)
Yeah, I regret it a lot. But it wasn't my choice so, I just have to figure out how to live with that.
#13
Image source: angelaelle, Dan Birlem / pexels (not the actual photo)
Zero regrets. Travel, fun, work, friends, fun hobbies, lots of money I didn't have to spend on kids. And to those who say who's going to take care of you when you're old: I find it disgusting that you had kids expecting them to waste their lives taking care of you.
#14
Image source: SunnyGirlDD, Anete Lusina / pexels (not the actual photo)
As I sit here in silence drinking my coffee w/ baileys & enjoying my wake & bake as I look off into the quiet snowy morning I must admit— Wait. Is that a goose? I’m off to follow it & see where the day takes me…
#15
Image source: Not_a_werecat, Greta Hoffman / pexels (not the actual photo)
Thank goodness we don't have any. Life is hard as hell. We'd probably be homeless now if we had the extra financial burden of children.
Some of us don't end up rolling on piles of money. Some of us are just celebrating that we're not financially underwater as we would have been if kids were in the picture.
#16
Image source: skillao, Pavel Danilyuk / pexels (not the actual photo)
23 year old chiming in to say it's very relieving and validating to read all your responses. I don't want children and never have, but I'm at that age where everyone swears I'm gonna change my mind and it's frustrating. You're all living proof I can, and will, be happy without children.
#17
Image source: CocoaAlmondsRock, Yaroslav Shuraev / pexels (not the actual photo)
55 here. Not for a microsecond do I regret not having children.
I am happily married with a healthy, frequent sex life. (Married 25+ years, first-and-only husband.)
We're comfortable with dual incomes. We live in a house we love in a place we love. We have time and funds for hobbies. We have great family and friends. And dogs. And cats. And horses.
Nah, I don't regret it AT ALL.
#18
Image source: i-need-blinker-fluid, Lisa Fotios / pexels (not the actual photo)
No regrets here, we are enjoying the flexibility and free time. The only issue we have is finding more people to hang out with as everyone seems to be too tired/busy because they have children.
#19
Image source: AffectionateYam9637, Yan Krukau / pexels (not the actual photo)
Amazing, 54 this year, she is 52, we have been together 32 years. I would not change a thing.
#20
Image source: Tagihi, Gary Barnes / pexels (not the actual photo)
My wife and I decided not to have children.
We go out for dinner a lot.
If we had kids I think we'd be divorced. We have overcome a lot and it took 100% of ourselves at times to accomplish. If we had also been parents at the time I don't think we would have made it.
#21
Image source: Zoe_Hamm, Kampus Production / pexels (not the actual photo)
My partner and I have the freedom and the life we wanted. We can travel whenever we want, save money, sleep in, have late nights out. Parenting was never something either of us wanted and looking at the state of things all over the world, we're extremely happy with our decision.
#22
Image source: Appropriate-Emu4576, Andres Ayrton / pexels (not the actual photo)
Not over 40 yet, but getting there. So far, life is brilliant. We know several parents, and at least a few of them look like they have very happy lives with children. So I don't think a life with children would have necessarily turned out miserable. But that would have been a different kind of happiness, and we are content with our own version.
The most important difference is that we are not obsessed with making more money or living at a particular standard to make our children happy. A few of our upper middle class friends send their children to private schools where annual vacations abroad are the norm for their peers. The pressure of keeping up with the Joneses to make their children happy is enormous. We know that there is nobody after us. We only need to save for a comfortable retirement. We are not trying to build trust funds for anyone. The knowledge that we are accountable for our lives alone is very liberating and we are very happy we made that choice.
#23
Image source: FoxyBiGal, Cassiano Psomas / pexels (not the actual photo)
Absolutely no regrets. My life is my own.
#24
Image source: Kjata1013, SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo)
It hurts like hell that I can’t have children. But I’m beginning to accept it’s for the best. Both of us have depression. I have anxiety, ADHD. I fight every day to do basics for myself. My partner does too. We should not bring a child into this world like this. So we work together to help each other and just be the best Aunt and Uncle we can. I grieve for my unborn children but I know it’s for the best.
#25
Image source: hugatree2023, cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo)
We are in our 50s now. Not a single regret.DE
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