Why do parents tell the childfree they will regret not having children?

childfree/childless...whatever label you want to use...why do parents tell the childfree/childless that they will regret not having children?





Isn't it up to each person to find that out for themselves? Isn't that what the human condition is about? Its a journey. As much as people want to say they have no regrets, we all have at least one regret. And what's wrong with having regrets? Maybe people can learn from it and become a better person.





I guess I figure if someone did regret not having kids then wouldn't they at some point deal with it and move on? Plus there are lots of ways of becoming a parent, like adoption, volunteering to work with children like in little league, working at a pay job like daycare, foster parenting, etc.Why do parents tell the childfree they will regret not having children?
I am sure many parents speak this will good intent because they enjoy being a parent. I know I enjoy being a parent.





However, I do not believe that being childless qualifies one to regret being childless. There are many people without children who have very fulfilled lives and enjoy being childless. There are also folks who do not want to procreate and that is perfectly normal and acceptable. They should not be spoken to as if they should regret those decisions.





There are also plenty of parents who regret having children for whatever reason. So I think it's not the child-bearers or the childless who have any fault. The fault would be in realizing what you desire from life, not going after it and then regretting it. Regardless of what that ';desire'; is.