Child free by choice or otherwise

Forums › Off topic › Child free by choice or otherwise

DarthKermit

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#232138 31-Mar-2018 17:19

I'm in the former category. I'm nearly 48 now and have never had a paternal bone in my body. I've had a few people question me over the years on why I've never wanted or had kids.

What are your opinions and/or experience on this topic?

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#1986458 31-Mar-2018 17:42

Haven't a woman willing to let me impregnate her

MikeB4

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#1986464 31-Mar-2018 17:50

We chose to have kids but we have several friends and family that chose not to. I never really thought about why they chose not to and never asked as I thought it was none of my business.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

alasta

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#1986495 31-Mar-2018 18:43

It's hard to know whether not having kids was a 'choice', because I have no idea if I would have had the opportunity to have them if I wanted them!

JayADee

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#1986503 31-Mar-2018 19:03

None by choice.

tdgeek

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#1986506 31-Mar-2018 19:05

Again, not something I would think about. I have 3 girls, just happened. Not sure how... People I know with no kids, never thought of it. Maybe it just didnt happen, maybe it was a choice.

Its not a question I would ask, thats very unfair.

cadman

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#1986507 31-Mar-2018 19:06

None, by choice. It's much more environmental (not a consideration for me but simply a point that there are already far too many people on this planet) and fiscally responsible to simply interact with nieces/nephews/children of friends on occasion and doing that also reinforces that not having kids was absolutely the right choice for me.

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Delphinus

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#1986510 31-Mar-2018 19:13

Not interested in having them, but I'm "still young" (30ish). For those later in life, who have chosen not to, have there been any regrets? Anything you feel you've missed?

DarthKermit

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#1986518 31-Mar-2018 19:22

Delphinus:

Not interested in having them, but I'm "still young" (30ish). For those later in life, who have chosen not to, have there been any regrets? Anything you feel you've missed?

Absolutely none on my part. I don't think you can miss something you've never had. I don't like children anyway.

I have one sister who is now 46. She left it too late to have any children and does have regrets about that.

Wade

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#1986525 31-Mar-2018 19:46

Its a bit of a catch22 as only people with kids can offer a balanced opinion of life with or without kids but then they are biased, i have two kids and would not change it for the world. i see some people without kids tryign to compensate otherwise or have regret. i am sure there are people with no regret however cant say i have met any

Given some people medically cannot have kids I choose not to discuss with kidless people unless they raise the subject and are happy discussing it

timmmay

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#1986536 31-Mar-2018 20:08

One toddler by choice, he's a great wee guy, but wow they're a lot of work. You basically get no time to yourself unless they're asleep, and that's with two active parents. Solo parents I have no idea how they do it without significant outside help.

Also, the younger you are when you have kids the better you can cope with the lack of sleep, running around, etc. 30 would be a good age, you have some life experience but you're still pretty spry.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1986537 31-Mar-2018 20:08

I have no children at 39. That's not by choice, as I do like them, and seem to get along well with most of them.

What is my choice however, was not to get in to a relationship with anyone. I blame today's rampant promiscuity and widespread self-centredness. If this one isn't working for you, just move on to the next one. No thanks, that's not how I was raised.

EDIT: I also have one nagging mother who won't shut up about grandchildren.

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Rikkitic

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#1986539 31-Mar-2018 20:10

I chose not to. Different reasons, but they included not wanting to be responsible for bringing a child into this world, not wanting to add to population overload, and sheer terror at the responsibility. Cats and the children of friends have filled the gap nicely. Interestingly, my two siblings are also childless and will forever remain so. I guess some families just aren't meant to reproduce.

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Kiwifruta

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#1986549 31-Mar-2018 20:30

Have 4 kids, have never not wanted kids, although enjoy the break from them when I’m at work.

My kids are 4 great blessings in my life.

ZollyMonsta

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#1986554 31-Mar-2018 20:40

My wife and I struggled for 9 years (she wanted kids, I wasn’t worried either way). After 9 years and four IVF cycles (the latter being successful in Australia) Oliver turns 1 on May 12th. At 45 It still feels weird being a first time Dad and we are so terribly tired from lack of sleep, Lolz. But he’s a cool little dude.

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epr

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#1986556 31-Mar-2018 20:42

Was going to say inflammatory things but will just say no children.

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