I'm not against having children nor do I dislike children. If I could redo my life, I would work in childcare.

That aside, I don't want kids simply because I cannot afford, to give them the childhood I had. My childhood wasn't the best emotionally (I learnt not to repeat those mistakes) but I do appreciate that my parents, where able to financially support my childhood, until I was a teenager. We took family holidays and had enough room, so my younger sister and I didn't share a room, after the ages of 8 & 10. Maybe we were a little spoilt due to emotional neglect but I do appreciate never having grown up in poverty until I became a teen. I also feel like life was alot easier for parents in the 90s and 00s.

There was more funding for families and even "poor" families, where able to have a slightly better upbringing than today's standards. Being a WOC, I'm also concerned living in a poorer neighbourhood, my kids (especially if they were boys), may be influenced by groomers/gangs to join the lifestyle of "fast/easy" money. The risks of them becoming another statistic too is also frightening.

Growing up middle class and going into working/poor class, it changes you. I value being "lower" working class because there isn't that pretense element and I enjoy my life. I've got enough money to treat myself to holidays / trips, eating and drink whatever I want. I live independently (with others) but I'm not worried anymore about accommodation. I just think the cost of a child, isn't worth the reward.

I also have 0 desire to go through the teenager phase, as my karma would get me 10x !

Maybe I am selfish but I would rather be a selfish pet parent than an egotistical "regretful parent", as some of the things posted there, make me sick to my stomach.