Can a woman be happy without children?

Question

Is it possible for a woman who wanted to have children in the past now change her mind and not go through with it?
What if she regrets it later?

Answer 1

Everyone is different. I'm 43, I wanted children all through my 20's. All our friends had children. We weren't tied down, and were able to travel. Our friends couldn't because they either couldn't afford a sitter or were unable to find one. We opted for no children and have not regretted it once. We have more money, we don't argue like our counterparts, we have traveled and enjoy life. So, who's going to take care of you when you get old? Who says your kids would anyway? Spoil your nieces & nephews and pay your long term health care insurance! LOL
everyone comes to a fork in the road of life. We all choose which path to take. Sometimes we regret it, sometimes it's the right path for us. It's a 50/50 shot....the important thing is to step out on faith that you are taking the right direction for YOU. Don't worry about what-ifs. Your whole life is a big what-if, enjoy the element of surprise! :)

Answer 2

Pain, diapers and sitters are the fun part.
When you have kids you will have to suffer the interference of your parents, schools, government and others who tell you what to do and how to live and raise the kids, even if you are doing a stellar job.

Answer 3

People can change their minds - even over huge issues like whether or not to have children. Your situation might change, you might just decide that there are other things you want to do with your life instead. The big thing is, though - once you have a child you are their parent for life, you can't opt out once you've brought them into the world.

I think it's definitely possible to be happy without children, it's a huge decision either way and you have to have the courage of your own convictions. If you were to make the decision not to have any, I think you'd have to make a commitment to yourself not to dwell on 'what ifs?' later in life. A woman ( or man ) can have a full, rewarding, happy life without children.

Everyone's different - I always wanted to be a mother, right from when I was a little girl and I'm so lucky to have been blessed with children. Even so, I occasionally wonder what life might have been like if I hadn't had them - that's human nature!

Answer 4

Yes, there is a life without children. However, you raise an interesting point - in your twenties and thirties you have the luxury of choice, of being able to say that you don't want kids but knowing that you could if you really wanted to. In your forties, this all changes - now it's make or break time because if you don't decide now then nature decides for you.
It's very much an individual thing though. Good friends, a good job, money coming in - these enable a childless woman to travel and socialise and do all the things that her committed friends can't do. They're often envious as well - nappies and toddler playgroups vs. suncream and backpacking across Australia. Which would you choose>
Anyway, if you believe in reincarnation - as I do - you simply say that "this lifetime I'm not having kids, next lifetime I'll have them" and all your options are covered!

Answer 5

Every choice you make in life means turning your back on another.
Unfortunately parenting is not something you can change your mind about unless you abandon your children. Even then, it does not change the fact that you have that relationship, even if you deny it.
Most of us think about what it would have been like if we had made the other choice, that is natural, and most of us regret the choice we made occasionally.
If you want a full answer to this, you are going to have to talk about it in more detail to somebody. It boils down to this, discussing your fears and working through them to help you reach a decision for yourself.
Although I am a parent and never regretted it, I feel strongly that a woman can be happy without children, and would back up anyone who decides that this is what they want.

Answer 6

Of course it is possible to be happy w/out children. There are many people who choose not to have children or who just cant. It is possible to regret every decision you ever made. If you decide at 30 not to have children then at 45 you want to be a mom you can adopt. If you have one you have to keep it and raise it no matter how you feel about it. Do what you want to do!
PS - no-one ever asks if its possible to live a full life as a man w/out being a father what does that say!

Answer 7

Hi,

My Aunt tried for a baby all her married life she had many m/c's but never went full term, she eventually gave up and got lots of cats, and she was very happy with her 'substitute babies' the sad thing is when she was 50 and thought it was no longer possible to have babies she fell pregnant, she lived in the US had no job no partner and lived in rented accommodation, so she made the heart breaking desicion of having a termination. Her regret is that she could n't have kids but she is happy with her life. And she has many god children!

Rx

Answer 8

As a single mum of 3,
I wish I'd been certain of my partner before I had children,
I wasn't and had them anyway and i'm paying for it now.
Don't get me wrong I adore my daughters but cos i'm by myself everything is harder
I'd do anything for my daughters and having them nearly killed me {ruptured placenta} but I feel like I have no life,
But when I get the Mothers day cards and the smiles I know it's been worthwhile and that when they are older I will still be young enough to do what I want.
I think if someone doesn't want children then that's fine, I think that there are enough wonderful places in the world and enough experiences to be had then I think she could have a successful life without them.
Your heart really has to be in it before you throw the pill packet in the bin.
Children are wonderful but hard work

Answer 9

if you want to have children but cant or choose not too....theres lots of ways you can satisfy that motherly urge....first off-you can always change yourmind and have/adopt a child. Volunteering at a childrens shelter or hospital or even choosing a career based on helping working w/kids-like a teacher/councel or daycare worker,etc...
theres an advantage to being a teacher (or something similar) and not having kids ...you have the time and energy that otherwise would be consumed by yourown kids-these children you work with willbecome 'like your own"
'

Answer 10

children aren't for everyone. I personally don't want children till i'm older. You can always change your mind later and their are plenty of technological advancements that can make it so you can have a child when your middle aged. This is an important decision so make it right and make sure its your decision not someone else's.