30 ADULT childfree years?

You had kids in your late 40s?

Trailrat. Borrowing some random children, having a facefull of MDMA to get that oxytocin going and locking us all in a house comes close. Tends to be frowned upon by the powers that be tho🤣

Can we do this and film it? Could be the end point of your travels 😂

The vast majority of those without kids don’t have first hand experience of living day to day, with kids. Those with kids do have experience of what life was like without them. Is there something factually incorrect with this statement?

That's fine, but you can't use it to draw the conclusion:

No one who hasn’t had kids can make an informed decision as to whether they regret it.

You have no experience of being me. You can't make an informed decision about whether or not I'll regret having children or not having children.

I never wanted kids and if I'd never had them I would have been perfectly happy. It probably led to the break up of my first relationship. A few years later my new partner was pregnant, something we hadn't planned. I still didn't want kids but she did so we went for it. I never regret that decision. A few years later we decided to have a second child, again not something I wanted but I didn't want to deny my partner and I got a new bike as part of the bargaining process. My kids are now 19 and 14 and are the best thing I've ever done. Had so many wonderful experiences with them and they've turned out pretty ok so hopefully other people will benefit from my mistake all those years ago.

I vividly remember asking my mate at his stag doo if he'd got over 'their' differences about children. He did not want children, she definitely did. Everyone knew this. Disaster from the start as the marriage didn't last 12 months. He's still not had any kids and is happy enough.

Only thing I regret is I'd be loaded if I didn't have two kids ! Ah well ! At least we have some life back as mine are 19 and 21 now !

it can only be a good thing that some on here have made the choice not to carry on their gene pool.

Yes, it's almost like they know themselves and have taken a considered decision on what's best for themselves and others.

not something I wanted but I didn’t want to deny my partner and I got a new bike as part of the bargaining process

There's a lot to unpick here isn't there.

Must say, from what I read on the previous thread, and what little I’ve read of this one, it can only be a good thing that some on here have made the choice not to carry on their gene pool.

That's pretty toxic.

it can only be a bad thing that some on here have made the choice to carry on their gene pool.

Eventually I’d like to get to a point where I’m sharing the amazing experience of a trans-Alpine bike trip with them, as I got to do with my dad.

Thing is, there is no guarantee your kids are going to like the same hobbies you like.

Would you still be so happy to spend the time sitting in a stuffy swimming pool watching your kido progress their swimming? Having your 1-on-1 time in the car cos you're taking them to early morning training and to galas around the country?

Or if they weren't sporty, but were big into musical theatre or something and relished trips to London to see the shows?

I’d like to get to a point where I’m sharing the amazing experience of a trans-Alpine bike trip with them

It might identify as such but it'll never be a real Alpine trip.

There’s a lot to unpick here isn’t there.

Not really, I went for brevity and humour over boring details.

Ah. Again, it's so hard to tell these days.

Having your 1-on-1 time in the car cos you’re taking them to early morning training and to galas around the country?

That's when my daughter and I have some of our best conversations. We have a shared playlist for car journeys so she doesn't have her headphones in listening to her tunes.

Kitty - true enough, although the signs are there hopefully. I have made my peace with them possibly not being into MTB but I've done the groundwork at least for them to love being on bikes for fun and not relying on being ferried around in a car for every trip to other activities.

And they already are into the other things you listed - seeing them get enjoyment and develop in anything is a buzz in itself. But biking together would be extra special - got to have a pipe dream.

This thread is now closed. Play nice please people.