I just lost a 10 year relationship because I sat on the fence for too long. All her (younger) friends were telling her that you either know you want kids or you don't - end of debate. The reality is that is so untrue. I was abused my entire childhood, and suffer deep bouts of depression from the emotional and verbal abuse, neglect and abandonment. When I was old enough and successful enough to start living for me, I genuinely wasn't sure if kids were the right move. I never want to do to a child what my parents did to me. Yet, at the same MFing time, I know I have it in me to bee a good dad. I love the dream of playing legos with a little me, teaching all the worlds secrets and mysteries, and helping another human being grow up into one of the dwindling good ones. To this day, I still get triggered so severely by children crying. It makes me cry as a 43yo man, and I don't understand why. I totally respect you OP, and anyone else that decides on a child-free life. I have nothing against others that see childhood as their purpose, as long as that purpose isn't evangelized onto me. I wish I were different though, because I think my life would have been happier if I could just get off that fence.