People in their 40s with no children give very similar responses when asked how it feels
People in their forties have opened up about what it feels like to not have children at their age in an 'Ask Me Anything' Reddit thread.
Whether or not to have kids has always been a big decision in life that we have to make.
Some people are more than happy to have child after child, and spend their time raising them to hopefully be full-functioning adults.
Others, however, are less willing to take on such a big commitment, and choose to abstain.
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There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not you want to be a parent, even though society - and maybe a few family members - makes it feel otherwise.
There are lots of reasons as to why people decide against having children, and now, child-free adults in their forties and above have spoken out on Reddit about the positive aspects of not having kids.
They want to prioritise their own happiness
Whether it's hobbies, your career, or simply knowing your time is your own, a few people put this as the reason as to why they never felt the need to multiply.
One user candidly said: "I definitely think it was the right choice for me. Gotta be honest with myself I am a little lazy and selfish and while I think I might have been a decent dad I don't think I would have been a happy one."
Another echoed: "People always say they think I’d be a great dad. I think I could have been a good dad. But my happiness definitely would have taken a back seat.
"I’d hate to blame my lack of happiness on my children who would have had no choice in the matter."
They're fine being aunts and uncles
Even if you don't have kids yourself, it doesn't mean that you don't get to enjoy other people's kids around you.
Many on the thread said they didn't feel like they were missing out, because they got to be aunts and uncles to their nieces and nephews, and that's enough for them.
One user plainly put: "I'm very glad to have been a part of the lives of my brother's kids but I would have been a terrible parent myself, so it's all good."
You get to give them back
Speaking of other people's children, one perk that seemed to come up a lot is the fact that when it's not your own kids, you get to give them back.
As an aunty myself, I can confirm that knowing you get to give them back after a massive tantrum, really is a great feeling.
"That's the best part - handing them back over to Mum and Dad at the end of the day," one aunt agreed, while another said: "The joy of being an aunt is the best—you get all the fun without the constant energy drain of parenting!"
More financial freedom
We all know kids can cost the earth, which is weird, because their clothes are small and cute.
But whether it's the extortionate price of nursery fees or the endless amounts of clothes and shoes they that seem to grow out of in minutes, it's obvious that not having children grants you way more financial freedom - and those on the thread seemed to agree.
"[...] it’s great bc I have extra money and I can spend it on whatever the f*** I please," one user wasted no time in saying.
A final simply added: "The freedom! The sweet, sweet freedom to do what I want (or not do) when I want!"
Saskia Calliste