Do you ever regret having children?

I adored my five. I pretty much sailed through their early childhood (just one of those who's relaxed with babies and young ones)
The problems two of them brought me as young AC have almost broken me though. Particularly DS2 who died by his own hand.
I never expected the agony and heartache they'd cause in later life.
I'm definitely very grateful for my GC.
It's hard for me to say if I'd do it all again if I knew what was to come....although my surviving sons and daughters are my world so I guess I would. The pain of losing my boy nearly six years ago will never leave me unfortunately

I have never regretted having my children. I have four sons, last son was born 21 years after his brothers, so a very happy surprise I hadn't expected to have at 42 years old.

Even though I am estranged from my eldest at the moment, I would never regret him being born and have very happy memories of him as a small child and young adult.

Never . I never really thought about children when I was growing up just meeting Prince Charming and falling in love . I’m 60 now with 3 boys . They are my world now . Aged 37 29 and 20. Just watching them as young men and enjoying life. And the love they give me . When they were little I might of said I regretted it as it’s extremely hard bringing children up and takes great sacrifices with money and independence . But it starts to pay off . I know my mum in her 80’s now is so glad to have her 2 daughters around now too .

The only thing I regret is leaving a 10 year gap between my first and second. When my eldest grew up, moved out and had a family of her own I still had 3 children in primary school. I had a few thoughts of "I'd be free now" but can't change that now.

Only for the first 6 months, which were hell.
Since then love 'em to bits.

Despite my daughter being b....y hard work, no I wouldn't change anything, except maybe the dad.

Never! I only have one son - I lost 2 other children through stillbirth and miscarriage before he was born.
As a single parent, there have been some difficult times for sure but it has been outweighed by far by the absolute joy I have and still do with the time spent with him

Regret having children? Never! Quite the opposite, - I would have liked more children. They, and my grandchildren, are the greatest joy in life.

Never. It's been hard work but they have made me who I am. I lost 4 babies and wish I'd had more after my 2nd.

No regrets, three lovely children and so proud of them and the grandchildren.

No, never. 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren - it feels lovely! But I did work throughout (no choice) so they are not the only thing in my life. The primary relationship is with my LH and the time of the children living with us is short in a 46 year marriage. Two have come back to live with us to do second degrees - 3 years and 5 years - so it gave us a chance to work out how to relate to AC.

Well maybe when they were yelling at each other- which was just before the fisticuffs & a daily event. Or when I had a load of filthy muddy football kits to wash but other than that no!
Boys will be boys & they certainly were.
Now those rowdy kids are now tall, handsome men with lovely wives & I have 6 amazing grandchildren to spoil so it all worked out in the end.

Not for a moment. We have three would have loved at least one more. Now have 5 amazing grandchildren xx

I've got two and just wish I'd had more! They are your raison d'etre and I wouldn't be without them. We've got four lovely GCs too which is an added bonus.

Charleygirl5, what brought you to a grandparents forum? Just asking out of interest

I remember when my two were around 6 months and 2 years old, asking my Mum the same question and her response was to say that we were all gifts from God and no she’d never regretted it. I asked my MiL the same question, my H her only child was adored but her response was ‘Oh yes, I often wanted to throw him out with the bathwater’. I was SO relieved to hear those words of wisdom. Of course I love my children and if I hadn’t had them I wouldn’t be enjoying the wonderful company of four grandchildren. Parenting is hard work and like any job, sometimes you feel like packing it in but the rewards are there if you stick at it!

No never regret it. Yes kids are a worry and yes we have often had to bail them out with money that we never get a penny back and help them in other ways. However our 7 grandchildren are an injection of joy-love and happiness our love for them is beyond words. We know some friends who have never had children and wished they had. I would not change anything.

Never, ever. Lot of regrets, but not for a heartbeat would I have not had my 3 children. I had always wanted 8, but 3 did me nicely - for lots of reasons, many of them age related!
They are fabulous grown-ups and I love them just as much, if not more. As someone earlier said, I would happily throw myself under a train if it would help them.

GrandmainOz So sorry to hear about your son ⚘

Maybe the age group ReadyMeals for a similar take on life’s events?

Every time they do something to wind me up.

I always wanted a large family which I have by default, my DD has 4 Half-Siblings & 2 Step-Siblings

I never regretted having my DD, went through a tough time as I was a single parent for a while & returned to education for 3 years. My DH was her adored Step-Father, during her last years at Primary School & the rest of her education I worked full-time & could have persued a career but I decided to put her needs first as training would have meant long hours away from home & DH worked long hours.

I thought I would never be a Nan as DD is in a same sex relationship (now married) but she had other ideas & has given me 2 adorable DGS.

Yes, although I have always loved them, I do regret having children. My oldest daughter is a joy, but I was a 16-year-old single parent when I had her and things were very difficult for years. I didn’t want any more children, but my later husband did and persuaded me. I came around to the idea and loved them dearly. I divorced their father when they were young adults with their own lives. Despite this my son cut me out of his life at that point (11-years-ago). My younger daughter has been difficult since reaching the age of 13 (she was delightful before then). Family life was pretty much dictated by what mood she was in! Shockingly, this did not improve as she grew into an adult. If I had my time again, I would choose another path.

Can I just point out that of the very few of us who have been honest and admitted that could we turn back time we would, none of us said we don't love our children. Of course we love them. I would do anything for mine and I'm sure everyone feels the same.

Mine were wonderful as children, and are wonderful now as adults. They are brilliant people who anyone would be proud of, as I am. That still doesn't alter the truthful fact that if I could turn back time I would, and would have kept taking the pill.

Being a mother and Grandmother have given me the most joyous moments of my life.
Being an adoptive mother has given me my worst moments. Adopted daughter though loved truly and whole heartedly turned on us when we couldn't, wouldn't give her any more money.