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Never wanted children , but wound up with one and I love it…..would absolutely toss myself down a flight of stairs if I found out I was pregnant again though
Same here👆🏻. One and done. No regrets, but glad I waited til I was 40 and did what I wanted in my career. Def holds me back but not in a way I care about. If I was in my 20s would be a whole different story.
I have times of sincere regret. Parenthood is a job you can’t quit. For anyone with real commitment issues, parenthood is hard in a very particular way. I am proud that I am (still) here for them, but it is an ongoing deep internal struggle. I catch myself feeling that my life is on hold until the kids grow up. I don’t find parenthood fulfilling or meaningful. It mostly feels restricting. For reference, I am a mother of multiple kids. It helps that my spouse is committed to parenting and does more than his own fair share.
Yes, there are definitely times when I am really happy to have the little guys in my life and to care for them. I can not say definitively what I would do if I could do this all over again, and if I would pass on marriage and kids. There is just no way of knowing how I would feel if chose to stay free and single. There are unique struggles on both sides. I think we can find a way to make the best of the situation either way. It helps me to question why I feel restricted and to find help to remove these restrictions. My kids know they are loved even if they see I need more “self-care” time or occasional trips without them.
I was seeing a therapist to unpack my fear of marriage and becoming a parent before I was married. It helped me to own my choices and to recognize there is room for regret on both sides of this. I decided my regrets are likely to be deeper if I pass on family and kids altogether. I do find that kids are sometimes very loving and understanding, so I find an unexpected source of encouragement and joy from them.
I doubt any of my struggle is visible externally.
also no shade here - you can love your kids and be a great parent while also thinking you wouldn’t make that same decision again
Maybe? Gosh, it's so hard.
I love my kid to death, but I'm running on empty. My career and relationship have suffered, and I'm not optimistic at all about her future given what's been going on (ie, pandemic, climate change, cost of living going up, wage stagnation, inflation, education, etc.).
Of course, I love her, but I can't shake off the feeling that maybe we made a mistake bringing her into this shit. I do wish I faced the last year and a half alone. I don't know what's going to happen.
Even my mom told me to not have kids in this world rn. It was hard before and now it’s survival level. I don’t understand how anyone can have kids rn emotionally, physically, and financially.
Never wanted kids. Still don’t. Have 1 and another is on the way. That said, I don’t regret it at all. If that makes any sense.
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Have one, she's awesome but never wanted kids in the first place and wouldn't want another.
No. Kids are great. You can teach them to hate what you hate
No regrets. It definitely hurt my career, but so did getting married. It makes my life better, even though it wrecks your bank account.
I no longer wanted to go hang out with co-workers, nor stay long at parties, and unfortunately that’s where a lot of relationships are formed, important gossip shared, and deals struck. If you’re not there you become less visible, less part of the team, and perceived as less fun, too.
I miss some things like being able to live my life freely (and selfishly) but definitely don’t regret having a child. That said, I know my limits so am one & done
I dream about how my life used to be without kids. Sleeping past 7AM on a Saturday is a distant dream. Buts kids also made me realize how dumb agency life is. And is inspiring me to go down a better path for myself.
Absolutely no regrets. They are life itself, not my career.
I miss sleeping and being able to stay out late, but otherwise feel more fulfilled and happy than I ever have prior to having a child. She makes me want to be the best version of myself, yet loves me just as I am. It’s the most pure thing and I just hope this world doesn’t crush her. The fear of anything happening to her is absolutely crippling. And yet I want another.
For reference I always “wanted” kids, but never knew much about them or had a big plan until it just happened with my husband. We were lucky in that way, I think.
Wow whoever reported my follow up comment joking that kids have made this industry less relevant for me using some naughty language is extremely sensitive! Maybe my regrets center around the adult children I spend my days with, instead.
No but there are days (and weeks) that are absolutely brutal.
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I regret not having more. Have just one. Late start.
I had an 8 year difference from my brother - I felt like an only child growing up. Start now.
Never wanted kids til I was 35. Then it was hard to conceive. Was lucky to end up with 2 via IVF. It's hard, but I don't regret it for a second.
I have 2 girls, and this advertising thing is tough with kids. But I don’t regret it even for a moment.
Money is gone. Like my wife and kids.
@ad1 knew a guy who went though a divorce to work in Portland office because his wife didn’t want to move to Portland, Or.
I'm 30 and I feel like I'm missing out by not having kids. Everyone around me has taken the next step.
My career is going great and I'm making the most money I've ever had but I still feel empty.
I don't blame parents at all for regretting having kids, it's a lot of work and your shit is always broken.
Never thought I’d do it, or be cut out for it. But I did and I am. No regrets. But may stop at one. It’s rewarding but H A R D.
Nope. Not for a second. I do regret not realizing this industry was super tough to excel in while also raising kids. Silver lining of COVID has been being home and just seeing them more.
Not one bit. The challenge is the demands of the business while trying to be present for the kid.