Here are some of the most-upvoted responses:

1.

“43-year-old male here.

My marriage recently dissolved.

Person wearing brown shoes standing at a starting line on a paved surface with the word "START" written in large white letters on the ground

Now Im starting over and sort of giving up on the family/suburb dream.

Its freeing in so many ways.”

u/Herbertlicious

2.

A man and a woman are standing at a table with open material samples. The man is smiling and leaning over to examine the samples while the woman shows him something on her phone

“I love my life.

I wouldnt trade it with anyone.

Im 70 with no children, never married, and have no regrets.

Older man with gray hair and a beard looks thoughtful at a scenic outdoor setting with trees and water in the background

Ive had several long-term relationships (11 years and 17 years… we’re still friends).

I loved never relinquishing my personal freedom.”

  1. Watching marriages that were okay go bad or boring after kids.

An elderly couple smiles and dances together in a cozy home setting, holding hands. Both appear joyous and content

  1. Watching people lose themselves in stressful marriages.

  2. Not enjoying the feeling of having to negotiate everything from social events to meal choices."

u/Kwelikinz

3.

An elderly woman with a plaid shirt gazes at a younger woman in a blue top in a dimly lit room, conveying a moment of connection and care

“I love it.

Retired without kids is the sh*t. I can’t even imagine having children.

I’m not built for it.”

A person leans against a vehicle, holding a mug, gazing at an ocean and mountain view during sunset

I sleep as much as I want (as well as game, work, etc.

[deleted]

4.

“I am 38 and my wife is 42.

A man wearing glasses and a blue shirt sits on a couch with a young girl in a dress. They are looking at a tablet together

Our marriage is fantastic and our jobs are stressful but lucrative.

We worry and stress about normal things just like other people just not about kids, obviously.”

But I know I am also sidestepping the negatives as well.

A person with wavy hair and a smile stands on a beach with the sea and sky in the background

In the end, my wife and I chose each other and are endlessly happy.

Could a child have improved that bliss?

u/Intersectaquirer

5.“Quiet.

Oh so blissfully quiet.”

u/JimmieB68

6.

“Im a 46-year-old auntie to a wonderful little boy and Im fine with that.”

I love sleeping in.

I love finishing dinner and then playing video games.

I love going for long walks.

I love peace and quiet.

I love all my disposable income."

u/ntpunt2000

7.

“Im financially in good shape, but my life feels somewhat unfulfilling.

But I honestly dont think children would fix that or a wife…

I feel very bad when I hear my coworkers talk about how little time they have for themselves.

It is a little bit lonely, but I am very good at keeping myself occupied.”

u/Anyantinoise

“This is pretty much how I feel.

Sometimes it’s super lonely, but I get annoyed having to deal with others.”

u/SoggieSox

8.

“Vacations are a breeze, particularly if you go to another country.

u/Gonstackk

9.

“It’s kinda lonely sometimes.

My house is usually messy because what’s the point?

My dog doesn’t care.

MyMinecraftworld is coming along pretty nicely.”

Gotis1313

10.

“Really good, actually.

Meanwhile, my wife and I get to travel all over the world.

We’re putting away savings to retire and open a hostel somewhere chill.

I think the lack of free time and the huge financial commitment would make me really unhappy.”

u/FriendOfRock

“It’s a wiring thing for me, too.

I just feel like happy parents can see a colour I cannot.

My life improved 4827x over when I found out it was an elective thing, not a given.

u/abqkat

11.

“Its pretty good, although my wife and I are childfree due to infertility, not by choice.

u/Juan_Calavera

12.

“My wife worries about being cared for when we are older.

I feel like being a parent makes you grow up a lot.

I still feel like a child in a way.”

u/TurpitudeSnuggery

13.

“Ive no regrets about not having kids, but I havent benefited from it like others have.

u/OfficePsycho

14.

“I always thought the urge to have children would eventually hit me.

‘Maybe next year, I’ll start trying,’ I always thought.

It was never the right time.”

“Turns out, the right time never came, because I have no active interest in having children.

The only reason I wanted them was the worry that I’d regret it if I didn’t.

And here I am, close to 50, and I don’t feel regret at all.

I actually love being independent.

I love not having to worry about someone else.

Contrast that with my colleagues with children and their needs and desires always come second.

Absolutely no regrets here.”

u/smallonion

15.

The ‘free and single’ lifestyle is boring to me.”

u/qbande

16.“Meh.

47F and feeling mortal.

I honestly think if I’d had children I’d be further along.

As it is, every year is basically the same and I lack motivation to change much.”

u/muddlemaster

17.

“I can watch anything I like on TV.”

u/the-Home-Cook

18. it feels like another knife being stabbed in us.”

It just all seems so unfair, is all.”

“At 40 I was married and child-free.

Theres an entire other level is issues involved there).

Now at 43, I have a two-year-old son.

He is the light of our lives, and I cant imagine life without him.”

“My point is that either path can be fulfilling.

You gotta do you.”

u/archyprof

20. u/CaveDweller419

21.

Nuh uh, not for me.

And our savings means we can slow down a bit in the foreseeable future.”

u/crooktimber

22.

“I’m a 49-year-old male.

For most of my life, I always thought I’d get married and have kids.

Within the last few years, I realised what a bullet I dodged.”

“I’ve had anxiety and depression problems all my life.

u/LidoCalhoun

Shout out tor/AskRedditandu/Isittheweekendfor having this discussion.

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.