In this response to R.O. Kwon’s recent Time article, “The Parents Who Regret Having Children,” I aim to share my personal journey, thoughts, and reactions to the complex and often stigmatized subject of parental regret. Kwon’s article explores a reality many parents face but seldom voice: the regret of having children.
I once believed I would never have a child. My husband and I spent 13 blissful years of marriage child-free, a choice that brought us immense fulfillment. Our life without children was rich and satisfying, and we proved to ourselves that a child-free existence can be equally rewarding. If you’re contemplating parenthood and feel that remaining child-free would make you happier, I urge you to confidently pursue your own path without succumbing to societal pressures.