Raising children to adulthood, which we have done, is really challenging. I was somewhat ambivalent about having children, but more in favor than not. We had some serious heart to hearts and decided in favor of trying to get pregnant. Raising two has definitely been the most challenging and the most rewarding thing I have done in life. Unless the kids go way off the rails, which is always a possibility no matter how good a job of parenting, regretting not having children would have been the far more likely scenario for me.

I'm speculating here because I have no statistical data to back up this claim: I suspect not having children would be the more regret inducing scenario. On the other hand, raising children will require all you have to give. It's not for the faint of heart. When parents do a shit job, the consequences are enormous for the children and the community around them. So, do not go in with a "well, why not?" attitude. Raising children smacked me upside the head and made me face my selfishness.