Can You Live A FulFilled Life Without Kids?

[Anonymous]

I knew I wouldn't be fulfilled to have a child with special needs, requiring extensive care throughout life, or one that was troubled and ended up being a criminal who destroyed the lives of others. I'm not even sure I could ever truly love such offspring. I couldn't guarantee having a perfect family--the assumption people generally make when answering questions like this--ergo, no kids for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extremely happy childless couple here. Our house is clean, quiet, and free of plastic thingamabobs in primary colors. Our bank accounts are full. We travel extensively, dine out, host friends, sleep in, and have lots of time to talk, exercise, cook elaborate meals, read, and sit in quiet contemplation. We are also an excellent aunt and uncle to our nephew and nieces. I understand the allure of children but am very happy with my choice. It's such a personal decision.

Well, aren't you selfish.

This rates pretty low on the selfishness scale, if at all.

As a mother of two under 5, I got jealous reading that post! I would love to have a month of that, and then have my kids delivered back safe and sound

It’s not selfish but that sounds like an incredibly shallow life to me.

Child free people volunteer to more social causes than parents do…they are also often caretakers of extended family members. Stop judging them as shallow. There are more ways to give back to society than procreation.

+100. It was a wakeup call to me how absolutely SELFISH I would become when I had kids. My world became much, much smaller. My capacity to deal with anything outside my own orbit went down considerably. I view raising my kids as an inherently narcissitic endeavor compared to my childfree days. Sorry, not available for much! I have kids!

[Anonymous]

Raising kids has been so incredibly difficult. You can’t know what hand you’ll be dealt. And it never ends even when they’re adults, they give you cause to worry. It is all consuming, painful and expensive. While I love them so much, it has taken a toll and taken all my energy. If you’re on the fence, I wouldn’t do it. There are many better ways to live a life. My kids are in college now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our early 30s, we just got bored with DINK life. Novelty eventually wears off - we'd already seen so many amazing things. Travel stopped 'wow'ing us and brunch, farmers markets, and michelin restaurants stopped being delightful.

We compromised by deciding to have a single child. We get all the wonder and joy and novelty of parenthood but less of the burdens. No regrets - we love our little family of three and feel so much more hope and investment in the future.

i could have written this! this was our story. we love our family of 3 as well!

+1 same