Perhaps you have more freedom if you choose not to have children

@youless (112091)
Guangzhou, China
October 23, 2011 10:56am CST
A few days ago my friend sent me a postcard from Tibet. Her husband and her went there together and sent a postcard to me. I am very happy to see it. She also traveled to many places. That's so nice. On the other hand, I think perhaps since they don't have a child. So they can spend money freely and have more time to do whatever they want. It is another kind of life to be without children. Although I also love traveling, but I doubt whether this life suits me or not. Sometimes my child does give me happiness
7 people like this
22 responses
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
24 Oct 11
when i was single i too had travelled a few places. when married as well me and my wife enjoyed the priveledges of couples who has no child. but as years goes by it gets pretty boring. i had a lot of fun since my wife gave birth. true that there are a lot of limitations now but still the happiness and the fun are priceless. now it made me more inspired to work harder and save for plans of our vacations. i will never be thinking to go back at the time when we dont have a child yet.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
I remember your son's age is similar with my son, perhaps it is time for him to go to school already. Time really passes so fast, now my son is grade 2 pupil
• Philippines
24 Oct 11
yes my son does goes to school already. and it is another fun experience for him to be a student and fun experience for us parents... we wont trade that for a privileged to travel. you can see how bright his eyes are when he learns new thing everyday. As of now my son is in grade one.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
24 Oct 11
I love your comment.
1 person likes this
• Hong Kong
26 Oct 11
Children make family life much more colorful,and it's a great thing to see children growing up day by day. Without kids, there might be much more time for travelling or some other relaxation thing, but we also lose the chance to experience the happy time with kids. We could see the old ourselves from our kids,just like watching our own growing up process. I could not imagine a life without kids and that could not be called a family life. How boring it would be just to travel or relax with only one companion,and wouldn't it be more lovely to be surrounded by our kids?
2 people like this
• Hong Kong
26 Oct 11
nice to meet u in mylot! I've been in mylot since 2006. but have not logged in for almost 12 months. This morning, I got an impulse to see how it is going now in mylot, so logged in with couple of password try. Almost forgot my password
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 Oct 11
I am glad to meet a Chinese here
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
31 Oct 11
Personally having children in your life is a pleasure, but there are many for many reasons have never had any, or choose not too. I could never have any so it is just my husband and I so when money permits we have been able to travel a little more, and would Love to do more again next yr. Traveling does give a sense of adventure for me and helps show me other areas besides just my area as well.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
1 Nov 11
I hope you will have more nice travel experience.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157563)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Oct 11
Sometimes? I bet your child gives you happiness more than just sometimes. We have to decide what we want in this life. Some are selfish and want to do things for themselves and others want to have children. It just depends on the person and how they think and what they want in their lives.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Oct 11
I can't say that my child is good all the time. You know, sometimes children have their own tempers.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (157563)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Oct 11
Try raising one with a mood disorder.
2 people like this
@advokatku (4033)
• Indonesia
24 Oct 11
sometimes I also think, if I do not have children, maybe I can enjoy the freedom both in terms of time or financial. In this case, of course I can take pleasure in the things I had not yet previously enjoyed. But when I think more deeply, it turns out I'm much enjoyed everything when together with kids and my wife. For me, I'm more feel glad when I see them smile. Their smile can more makes my life much more meaningful than my life in the past
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
Yes, children are like angels and they can light up our lives.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
7 Nov 11
then you too will understand my joy at havin my adult son visit me this evening. it means so much to this elderly mom and he brings me joy each time he comes to see me.
• China
24 Oct 11
Yes!It is quite a bother for us to have children.We worry about them a lot,including their growing up,going to school where We want them to enroll themselves in a famous schools,getting a job,getting married,etc.No wonder there are more and more "DINK"families.But then,even though we have less freedom , but children bring us joy.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
Yes, we will keep worried even if our children grow to the elders.
1 person likes this
• China
25 Oct 11
Only by bringing up children can it come home to us how much we owe to our parents.
2 people like this
• Canada
27 Oct 11
My husband and I have no interest in having children, so our lives are ours, our money is ours, our time is ours, etc. There are people who love being parents, and that's just fine, but children take your life away from you. Having children gives a gifts to people who want to be parents, sure, but parents also have to sacrifice the lives they had before, in order to have children.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
27 Oct 11
Yes, all parents have to sacrifice for the children.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Oct 11
Only sometimes? Yikes! I will never have kids but it isn't because I want to travel. I just don't want to be responsible for a baby.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Oct 11
Thanks. You would be surprised how many people think I will change my mind or think something is wrong with me.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
That's alright.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Oct 11
I wouldn't be surprised, sarahruthbeth, because I encountered the same thing when I decided to never have kids. AND I made it a permanent decision by having a tubal ligation in my 20s. I have never looked back or regretted it.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
26 Oct 11
I wish to visit Tibet one day in the future. It seems to be a beautiful location full full of interest. My children make me very happy and I still go traveling but is it more challenging that it used to be. The problem is my 4 year old son is now in a wheelchair and it is difficult therefore for my to carry all the luggage. I have my two year old daughter as well you see. Earlier this year we traveled to Colombia and last year we went to Canada. I was pregnant with my daughter when I took my disabled son to Cape Town and the Garden Route. Some places in the world are more wheelchair friendly than other places. I found Vancouver to be one of the best places in the world to take someone in a wheelchair. Now my daughter is aged two then I have to buy one adult and two infants airfare and it costs loads. It was cheaper when she was still an infant.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
26 Oct 11
You are a very brilliant mom
1 person likes this
• China
24 Oct 11
I am 22 years now and I have not experienced the feeling of being a parent.However,I can see from my parents that having me means a lot of giving and hard work.Now I am very grateful for my dad and mum.So I belive that what you have lost after you have a child will eventually pay back after your child grow up and get to understand you.I think you have made a great mother.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
One day when you have your own child, you will realize how much your parents have sacrificed for you.
2 people like this
@momof3kids (1894)
• Singapore
24 Oct 11
This is strictly my opinion, you can object to what I am saying because you should know your friend better than me. I think your friend should not send you such postcards. She is not being sensitive especially if she knows that you love travelling and is restricted to stay home now with your child. I think you wouldnt send her postcards like how fun you are having with your child, do you? If she doesnt care not having children, thats ok but if you know that she does, it is like rubbing salt to the wound. Anyway if you feel any sort of regret, discard that feeling. Enjoy your child now, thats your vacation.
2 people like this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
People are always greedy. I look forward to my friend's life, meanwhile I also like to have a life with my child
1 person likes this
@yspmyl (3435)
• Malaysia
24 Oct 11
Hi! That is totally correct, you'll definitely lose all your freedom after you have children, children will stick to you 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. You will definitely do not have your own time to go travel alone or go to enjoy your sweet time with your husband if you have children. I like to travel too, but whenever I think about going somewhere, I have to think about my children first, like whether the place suitable for them or not and what foods they can eat there. I can say that you can still travel but with some trouble.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
And having a child even will squeeze your money
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Oct 11
Yes although traveling is a great deal of fun, I personally would not have wanted to be without my kids. I have two and am so glad that I do and although it is not for everyone, I really could not see life without them.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
Two children is perfect for a family
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
24 Oct 11
HWG You have no idea how jealous I am right now
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Oct 11
It's Sunday! Hello zone! Awwh I'd share them but then I would miss them.
1 person likes this
@aquacan (216)
• China
24 Oct 11
Well, I'm still in my college years and having a child seems a little bit far for me. But somehow my roommates and I have talked about this topic several times. And we all agree that having children is quite important, especially for women. Of course, without a child, a couple is free of some responsibilities and troubles. They can save much more time and with the saved time, they can do so many things, such as travelling. But having a child doesn't bring parents troubles alone, it brings them happiness and sense of achievement. It must be wonderful to see your child grow up, from a baby to a young man(woman). And I think parents are growing up too, in that process. They learn how to shoulder responsibilities, they learn the importance of family.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
You are quite right. You will change when you have your own child.
@asiregar (864)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
7 Nov 11
I got married almost 7 years to get a new child, a long time to wait for a child in our family, we lived at that time seemed meaningless because life seemed to slow and boring even though we were free to go wherever we wanted, now with the very presence of children we love our lives feel more meaningful and make us learn to live more mature
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
7 Nov 11
Yes, a child means a lot to a family. When there is a child at home, it will never be quiet
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
23 Oct 11
Some people do believe they have more freedom without children, but I believe there is less richness as well. We take what we are given and enjoy it,that is for sure.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
When we were young, it was a freedom to be without a child since at least you could move to anywhere easily.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
23 Oct 11
Maybe when we were young and still strong, we want to enjoy the best that life offers us and want to be free from responsibilities of having children. But having children is a long term investment and should be considered seriously by every married couples. Not having children would mean a lonely life towards our old age. I have a fair share of travelling when my children were still small as I had a nanny taking good care of them and now when they have left the nest I have even more time travelling with extra bonus from my children for my travelling expenses.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
Having a child has another kind of happiness
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
24 Oct 11
Been there done that but we would give it all up for a new life
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
Having a child does give me a completely different life.
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
23 Oct 11
To each his (or her) own. I chose not to have kids and made it permanent (tubal ligation) years ago and have never looked back or regretted my decision. I guess the ol' maternal instinct never kicked in with me, but some women do not feel fulfilled unless they bear children. It is definitely an individual decision, both with sacrifices. Ultimately it is about YOUR life and how you want to live the rest of it.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
As long as your are happy to your decision, that's good enough.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
23 Oct 11
I love my child, but I do miss the freedom of being able to just pick up and take a weekend get away. Even when we have the few extra bucks, it is hard to pack for all of us. Many times it is more work than it is worth. A vacation alone with my spouse is even harder because we have to arrange for grandparents to watch our child.
1 person likes this
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
24 Oct 11
You are right. This is why when we have a travel, we will bring our child with us rather than asking my parents to look after him.