Wondering:
A) If you and your spouse decided not to have kids, did you end up regretting the decision? Or are you very happy that you both are child-free?
B) If you and your spouse had kids, did you somewhat regret it too? ie, did you feel that if ever you had the chance to turn back time and live your life again, would you decide to have no kids at all, or perhaps instead of having 2 kids, just have 1 instead, or perhaps instead of having 3 kids, you rather just have 2 kids instead?
Did you feel any form of regret, ie, perhaps you could have done more things with your spouse before having kids, or you wished you could have more quality time together instead of splitting all your time, attention and resources and energy on the kids too? Did you ever feel like having kids held you back in terms of freedom (and financial freedom), doing the things you want to do too? Did you feel that once the kids came along, you lost your sense of self and you have neglected caring for yourself (your emotional, physical and mental well-being too), because everything and all focus and attention goes onto the kids?
If you and your spouse are having a very average salary and you have lots of financial commitment: paying for marital home, also looking after parents, and paying for things/bills/renovations or home maintenance in your family home too (that your parents are in. Do note that it's not always viable to have your parents/in-laws stay with you. They may want their freedom and independence of living apart from you too), insurance stuff to pay for, etc etc, or perhaps even having a health condition or a parent has a health condition, etc, so did you wish you never had kids so you could have more space to breathe, financially? Did having kids stretch you thin?
Did you regret having kids because your spouse wanted kids but you didn't want to, so you had kids kind-of grudgingly..? Or vice versa, you did want kids but your spouse did not, so she/he is kind-of reluctant?
Note: this is a discussion, please keep it civil. No need to get riled up and throwing pitchforks. Just wanted to know what are people's personal experience from it. Please do not bash other people for their life choices (to have kids or to not have kids at all), they may have different life or family circumstances which limit or over-stretch them.
A) If you and your spouse decided not to have kids, did you end up regretting the decision? Or are you very happy that you both are child-free?
B) If you and your spouse had kids, did you somewhat regret it too? ie, did you feel that if ever you had the chance to turn back time and live your life again, would you decide to have no kids at all, or perhaps instead of having 2 kids, just have 1 instead, or perhaps instead of having 3 kids, you rather just have 2 kids instead?
Did you feel any form of regret, ie, perhaps you could have done more things with your spouse before having kids, or you wished you could have more quality time together instead of splitting all your time, attention and resources and energy on the kids too? Did you ever feel like having kids held you back in terms of freedom (and financial freedom), doing the things you want to do too? Did you feel that once the kids came along, you lost your sense of self and you have neglected caring for yourself (your emotional, physical and mental well-being too), because everything and all focus and attention goes onto the kids?
If you and your spouse are having a very average salary and you have lots of financial commitment: paying for marital home, also looking after parents, and paying for things/bills/renovations or home maintenance in your family home too (that your parents are in. Do note that it's not always viable to have your parents/in-laws stay with you. They may want their freedom and independence of living apart from you too), insurance stuff to pay for, etc etc, or perhaps even having a health condition or a parent has a health condition, etc, so did you wish you never had kids so you could have more space to breathe, financially? Did having kids stretch you thin?
Did you regret having kids because your spouse wanted kids but you didn't want to, so you had kids kind-of grudgingly..? Or vice versa, you did want kids but your spouse did not, so she/he is kind-of reluctant?
Note: this is a discussion, please keep it civil. No need to get riled up and throwing pitchforks. Just wanted to know what are people's personal experience from it. Please do not bash other people for their life choices (to have kids or to not have kids at all), they may have different life or family circumstances which limit or over-stretch them.