As a childfree woman, the one admonition I repeatedly faced was, “One day…you’ll regret choosing not to have children”. I have to admit, this pronatalistic warning disturbed me as I aged. I kept asking myself if I did miss having children. I confess there were times I felt a void. They were always during those sweet ephemeral moments of pride: Bar and Mat Mitsvahs,, weddings and school achievements of friend’s children. I wanted it! However, I stopped and realized these events had a before and an after. What were the gut wrenching trials and tribulations leading up to these sweet moments? How many parents suffer during those times? What happened after those moments of pride? What were the financial and emotional tolls people never share?
I would love to hear from “older” people who have never had children. (Over 60) Do you regret that choice? Why? Or, why not?
