"I feel like I would have loved to have kids in my 20s, but now? I'm just glad I get to travel and work on becoming my best self. I spend decent chunks of time with my nieces, so I still have a sense of having younger people in my life. I spoil them when I can, relate to their struggles, and share my life wisdom in a cool aunt sort of way. What feels awesome is that they know they can trust opening up to me."
"I don't regret not having kids. It was 100% a choice. But I do regret the loss of the possibility of every having kids. Now that I'm in my 40s and a pregnancy would be close to impossible, it sometimes feels like the choice to not have kids isn't mine anymore, like it's being imposed on me."
"It's quiet, peaceful, unrestricted...but also a bit empty? I have my husband and my animals, and I always wanted to be a mother, but the universe had different plans. Now I'm 42 years old and I finally have the chance to actually maybe give it a go, but my body is already pretty messed up and I can't imagine the aches with children. I am a teacher though, and over the years in alternative educational settings, I have picked up some 'kids' of my own along the way."
Respondents in their 40s report a spectrum of feelings about being child-free. Many celebrate freedom, travel, flexible routines, and personal growth while valuing close relationships with nieces, students, or chosen family. Several describe rewarding roles as trusted mentors or 'cool aunts' that provide intergenerational connection without full-time parenting. Others experience regret tied to the irreversible loss of biological possibilities and the sense that aging imposes limits on earlier choices. Physical health concerns and fear of future aches complicate late attempts at parenthood. Social perceptions and peer assumptions about age and lifestyle also shape emotional responses.
Read at BuzzFeed
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