'Hard to explain this dad bod': 36 Childfree adults share the surprising disadvantages of not having kids

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Mar 29, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Deciding to have kids is a tough decision that a lot of people nowadays are happily foregoing. The cost of life is rising, the world is uncertain, and quite frankly, children's TV shows are becoming far more unbearable. But then there are still those of us who dream of the sound of little feet running through the hallways and having kiddos and grandkiddos around when we're older. 

There's something about family that's irresistible to some. However, once you make your decision–whether you're in your teens, twenties, thirties, or decided to adopt–once you have kids, there's no turning back. 

It really makes you wonder what it's like on the other side, doesn't it? Well, I've collected the stories of 35+ childless adults who can share the greatest disadvantages of not having kids. So even if you're dreading your kid's 10-hour baseball tournament or you're helping paint a planet diorama at 9 pm on a Sunday night, these little nuggets will make you look at your own tiny human and count your lucky stars. 

Consider your fortune, parents–your kid is pretty darn special.

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  • 01
    What are the cons of NOT having kids?
    via questioningh
  • 02
    TheStreetForce If I outlast my wife im probably gonna die in my living room chair and sit there for a few months till someone finds me.
    via TheStreetForce
  • 03
    brinazee I've noticed that I have a very different sense of time passing since I'm not attached to the school calendar. I tend to not notice it passing as much. And then abruptly, it seems to catch up to me.
    via brinazee
  • 04
    TrowTruck This is a huge one. Kids are the living proof that time is passing quickly. I haven't seen a friend in 15 years. Their baby is now getting excited to learn to drive, and visiting colleges.
    via TrowTruck
  • 05
    Loose Pilot574 If something breaks in your house, you have only yourself to blame.
    via Loose Pilot574
  • 06
    Amidormi According to my dad, if he didn't have kids, no one would talk to him. Which is true. But only because he's just awful to talk to.
    via Amidormi
  • 07
    OneAndOnlyJackSchitt Can't use the kids as an excuse to get out of social engagements you don't want to go to.
    via OneAndOnlyJackSchitt
  • 08
    Longstrong_Rip_1933 · 15 hr. ago Who else will grab the remote? 4.9k Reply Share \\\\\\I\III\\\I\\\\I · 14 hr. ago Before remotes were invented, kids were the remote.
    via Longstrong_Rip_1933
  • 09
    PayasoCanuto You run out of people to tell your 4 funny stories and 6 jokes.
    via PayasoCanuto
  • 10
    EnamelKant No one to avenge your death or finish your life's work. 3.7k Reply Share inksmudgedhands · 13 hr. ago This is why you should get yourself an apprentice.
    via EnamelKant
  • 11
    A40 There are fewer people to walk the dog. Though that results in more healthy exercise...
    via A40
  • 12
    Emotional-Ear8525 My dad jokes are wasted.
    via Emotional-Ear8525
  • 13
    Smirks In general you lose all your friends who have kids. Parents socialise when the kids play etc, and you aren't invited so you miss out. Eventually you stop getting invited to most things because you're just not around enough to be planned in.
    via Smirks
  • 14
    othybear You don't get to experience the joy of a second childhood. I'm childless by choice but I love seeing my nieces' excitement over holidays and vacations. My brother loves playing santa for the kid and seeing the joy of Christmas morning.
    via othybear
  • 15
    Abject-Star-4881 You keep having to either dodge the question or explain why you don't have or want kids when it's nobody's business.
    via Abject-Star-4881
  • 16
    sushi-screams People assume you have no plans or responsibilities.
    via sushi-screams
  • 17
    AlhazraeIIc No one to help you out in your old age. I'm dealing with the reality of this right now. My dad is in a rehab facility for a broken hip, and anything he needs or wants I get for him. I'm pretty much the only person who visits him. Realistically, I'm the only person he's got.
    via AlhazraeIIc
  • 18
    Angry Pterodactyl You have to pick up the dog yourself 438 Reply Share mydogisagoblin - 15 hr. ago No joke, that was my main chore as a kid.
    via Angry_Pterodactyl
  • 19
    Moist_Ad7796 In most countries, adult children will take care of the elderly parent. It's a huge factor in countries without safety nets.
    via Moist_Ad7796
  • 20
    lucciferno Hard to explain this dad bod.
    via lucciferno
  • 21
    Miss_Insomniac_ . Can't claim dependents on taxes 923 Reply Share TheForceIsNapping · 15 hr. ago Eh, they cost more to feed/clothe/house/educate than any tax break you get.
    via Miss_Insomniac_
  • 22
    bkendig Nobody to inherit all the useless junk you've been saving in your garage.
    via bkendig
  • 23
    BunnyKimber If you like kids and want to volunteer with them I've found not having one already gets more than a few raises eyebrows and "well why are you interested?" I'm not a kid snatcher, I just really enjoy it when I can give the kids back afterwards.
    via BunnyKimber
  • 24
    2 UnhappyJohnCandy · 13 hr. ago I'm very lonely. 169 Reply Share Panda_hat 45 min. ago You can make friends instead of simply making children who you feel are obliged to provide you with company.
    via UnhappyJohnCandy
  • 25
    evelyn_nanette · 12 hr. ago I'm kinda surprised to not see this answer yet. Most of my childfree friends complain about how other people tend to assume their life is less than. Work volunteers you to work late cause no one is at home needing
    via evelyn_nanette
  • 26
    you. Others expect you to be free for errands or inconvenient things. People don't understand why you can't just drop everything cause nothing in a childfree personal life could possibly be as important as children.
    via evelyn_nanette
  • 27
    1block 14 hr. ago • It's a different kind of love. Having someone you'd die for without a second thought seems bad from the outside, because it's so other-focused.
    via 1block
  • 28
    But it's a fierce love that you can't experience any other way. And most people don't actually have to jump in front of a bus, so the risk is low.
    via 1block
  • 29
    So you miss that. It's amazing. I'm sure there are amazing things I've missed by having kids, and have no reference for. But since you asked about the con, missing that is a big one.
    via 1block
  • 30
    spacingmarla Dealing with my mum's difficulties to accept that I will only ever give her grandcats
    via spacingmarla
  • 31
    Jette_516 I genuinely enjoy my young adult children. They are two of my favorite people.
    via Jette_516
  • 32
    Exciting Director357 You get to take your own car keys away and check yourself into a nursing home, so you can't complain about it to the other residents.
    via Exciting Director357
  • 33
    sarilysims People constantly ask why you don't have them. You don't get those nice tax bonuses for having them. You are expected to schedule your life around other people's children (coworkers taking off for spring break, etc).
    via sarilysims
  • 34
    Loftzins⚫ You have a fatter, more uncomfortable wallet to carry around.
    via Loftzins
  • 35
    Retiree66 Overly spoiled pets
    via Retiree66
  • 36
    Sullybones. General social life. As your friends have kids you will have less and less in common as the trajectory of your lives drifts further apart.
    via Sullybones
  • 37
    YogiMamak 15 hr. ago . edited 15 hr. ago If I wasn't a parent, I wouldn't have this bond that's more amazing than any other I've experienced. My daughter is like a piece of my heart, out there walking around in the world. The thing is that not everyone gets this kind of relationship. I have friends with similar aged kids, and it's not this same kind of love- fest.
    via YogiMamak

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adopt wholesome life kids childfree relatable millennials cons parenting pros childless gen x generations baby boomers having kids gen z family parent Reddit parents children
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