I have three children. Deep down, I'd be fine without them. I find life rewarding with them, I found life rewarding without them. I'm an introvert, and sometimes so much "on" time wears me out. On the other hand as an introvert I really treasure a limited number of deep relationships and as my kids grow older I have a growing sensation that these are great, interesting people I'll have a deep bond with for the rest of my life.

But, as study after study shows, they don't make you happy, or less happy. They just change how your life is.

I’m really not a person who says this - normally, in fact, I’m the least cheesy person on the planet. But you really can’t understand until you have it. It’s kind of impossible to explain. And I mean this in the kindest way possible because I totally understand how people do not want children.

Anonymous wrote:It’s fun. You get to re-experience things you did as a child.

This is the only reason I can think of. I ran into my childfree BIL and SIL yesterday when they were walking back from Taco Tuesday at a neighborhood place they decided to try last minute. They were having such a nice time and I had a pang of parenthood regret.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t want children, dont have them. It’s that easy.

There are rewards to everything in life. Live by your own rewards.

I’ll be honest, as I think you’re trolling, and this is a specifically parenting forum on a mostly parenting board.

Why would I ask childless people this question?

Because they have equally valid reasons for being childless as people with children have for having children?

I am not interested in reasons why some choose to be childless. I am already very familiar with that topic.

The question "What is so wonderful about having children?" is best asked of people who actually have children.

I'm with PP: are you asking this because you're reconsidering your decision?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I married late in life and have no desire to have children. DH has children from previous marriage. When other women learn that I dyes them to have children, they immediately launch into sermons about how I need to give my husband a child, having children is so rewarding, etc. I don't understand why so many women do this. What is so wonderful about having children that women feel the need to convince me to have them?

They don’t, this is not a thing. Unless you are posting from a fundamentalist compound somewhere, this is not a thing “so many women do.”

I would agree. Unless you're living somewhere down south (or are talking about older relatives, who are a different beast), I don't think this is any sort of phenomenon and it's definitely not a "most women" thing

Are you asking here because you're doubting your decision?

Or are you feeling defensive and trying to prove a point / start a battle?

If it's the first one, I will come back and write out a long, genuine, and emotional answer. If it's the second, then just own your decision and tell people it's not up for debate, but thanks for sharing, you're happy they're happy.

Enlist his ex-wife in shutting people down. I’m sure she equally does not want you to give him a child

Anonymous wrote:I married late in life and have no desire to have children. DH has children from previous marriage. When other women learn that I dyes them to have children, they immediately launch into sermons about how I need to give my husband a child, having children is so rewarding, etc. I don't understand why so many women do this. What is so wonderful about having children that women feel the need to convince me to have them?

They don’t, this is not a thing. Unless you are posting from a fundamentalist compound somewhere, this is not a thing “so many women do.”

I had my child later in life.

My life is equally awesome, but in a different way.

If I hadn’t actually wanted kids, it might not be as awesome.

It’s fun. You get to re-experience things you did as a child.

I'm a mother and I would never lecture you (or anyone) about whether you have or want children - or not. Not my business! Everyone is different.

They provide 24/7 access to the mind of a complete beginner. If you are the kind of person who finds this fascinating (I am), it’s wonderful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t want children, dont have them. It’s that easy.

There are rewards to everything in life. Live by your own rewards.

I’ll be honest, as I think you’re trolling, and this is a specifically parenting forum on a mostly parenting board.

Why would I ask childless people this question?

Because they have equally valid reasons for being childless as people with children have for having children?

I am not interested in reasons why some choose to be childless. I am already very familiar with that topic.

The question "What is so wonderful about having children?" is best asked of people who actually have children.

And yet, you complain in your OP about people who launch into sermons about the virtues having children.

You already know what people think. Make a decision for yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I married late in life and have no desire to have children. DH has children from previous marriage. When other women learn that I dyes them to have children, they immediately launch into sermons about how I need to give my husband a child, having children is so rewarding, etc. I don't understand why so many women do this. What is so wonderful about having children that women feel the need to convince me to have them?

Get better friends. It strangers do this, kick them.

Ha! My friends know better than to do this. It's strangers that like to offer unsolicited advice. I like the approach mentioned above, about giving a vague response then moving on to discuss the lecturer's children.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t want children, dont have them. It’s that easy.

There are rewards to everything in life. Live by your own rewards.

I’ll be honest, as I think you’re trolling, and this is a specifically parenting forum on a mostly parenting board.

Why would I ask childless people this question?

Because they have equally valid reasons for being childless as people with children have for having children?

I am not interested in reasons why some choose to be childless. I am already very familiar with that topic.

The question "What is so wonderful about having children?" is best asked of people who actually have children.