I have actualy heard parents say they regret having their children.  I don't have children but ...?
926949
I wouldn't feel that way ... I'm 26 with no kids .... so I have spent my youth doing what I want ... if adn when I do have kids ... I think I'm prepared to concentrate on them and their mommy
180344
Like the first person said it might be a matter of beliefs religious wise. Most parents are in love with the idea of one day being grandparents if your an only child you might be catching the backlash from that. If your a teen they probably think your just confused or doing this for attention. Give them time and they will come around.
283094
There really wasn't a time I decided not to.  I just never wanted to, and I've never changed my mind.  I can only think of 2-3 reasons why I'd want to have one, and they aren't good enough.  1.  To see what they look like.  2.  To have someone to take care of me when I'm old (no guarantees they'll outlive me or like me!) 3.  To name them (that's why I have cats).\n\nAs for what qualities good parents possess...there are so many.  Some that stand out are fairness, patience, love, understanding, authority.\n\nWhat would make me a good parent - this goes along with what would make me a bad parent!  My selfishness (bad) could possibly cause my children to be independent and self-sufficient.  After all, if mommy won't cook for them, they'll have to learn how to, right?
1066782
I totally agree with you!! I don't understand people who have children and then don't actually take the time to raise them right!! It seems like alot of people either have no common sense when it comes to their kids or maybe just too lazy!! I will raise my own son, thank you very much!!
277505
Why should they?  Amazingly enough, parents would like to have a life too and shouldn't have to change their plans just to make their kids (temporarily) happy--exact same thing will come up again.
922477
If the very wrong thing you did did not involve the harm or violation of children I just don't get it.  Send them out a plea, tell them what you just wrote.  Sometimes life really stinks, you do the right thing day after  day and one mistake can ruin everything....\nThey need to look in the mirror, I would be willing to bet they have made mistakes too, who hasn't?...\nYou can't make them forgive or forget but you sure can plead your case...now is the time.  \nIf they can't come around try to understand that it is thier problem not yours, don't let them make yo believe you are bad, you just did a bad thing...let he who has not cast the first stone....good luck in this hard time...not to get too religous here, but god forgives you, remember that.
165761
Some of these people really don't have your best interests at heart, telling you to run away, yell, demand, cry. That doesn't get you what you want, and it doesn't help you learn how to deal with the real world, who don't really care if you're having a bad day or not. Not knowing you or your parents, I can only speak from my years of experience, raising my two kids to adulthood (with NO bloodshed!). When my teenaged daughter yelled at me, it did not make me want to give in or get all warm & fuzzy. It made me clamp down and cut her off, sending her to her room, often with a lot less than before (like being grounded for sassing). The best way to deal with parents who have clamped down on you is to find out why they are holding you back. Do they have a reason for not trusting you? Have you done something to make them clamp down on your freedom? If you're too young and you want to do things that only older kids are doing, they are trying to protect you from what could be a very bad situation. They have experience, that's what makes them know what to do. No, parents aren't perfect. We have screwed up lots of times. But, we remember what it was like to be your age, and all the feelings that go with it. That hasn't changed over the years. Feelings are still feelings, no matter how long ago we were kids. When you become a parent, you want to protect your kid from all the nasties that are out there, especially other kids who we have NO control over. We don't know what kind of morals other kids have been raised with, or even IF they have any morals. So, us parents have the tendancy to hold you kids just a little too much sometimes. Even though we know that we have to gradually give you your freedom, the process is sometimes painful for us to see, especially when we see you act in a way that brings too many memories back for us. It's like watching a train wreck. You know what's gonna happen if you don't warn someone to throw the switch on the track, but sometimes the wreck has to happen to fix a bigger problem. That's why some parents let their kids get thrown in jail, even though everything inside them wants to just hold them close and save them from harm. It's better that they learn some hard lessons before things get really bad. So, it really bites, being a parent sometimes. Try to think of what your parents have to put up with. Maybe changing places with them for a day will help you see what they have to put up with on a daily basis. It's not just off to work, then come home and put your feet up & yell at the kids for not getting their chores done. It's more than that. Many kids say they can't wait till they get to be 18 and free. Guess what? With freedom comes RESPONSIBILITY. You are then responsible for EVERYTHING you do & say. One person said it very well...enjoy being a kid for as long as you can. You're getting your eats, heats and everything else for nothing. Out in the real world, when you need a dentist, you have to pay boo-coo bucks just to pull your tooth out, let alone get a filling. Same thing for when you get sick. Just one antibiotic pill can cost over $10.00 and you'll need on the average of 10 pills to get better. And that doesn't even add in the cost of seeing the doctor, which is $60.00, where I live. What I would suggest, little one, is learn to listen a little more, learn to help a little more, and after a while they just might loosen their hold on you. When they can see that you're showing signs of growing up and taking responsibility, they'll give you more freedom. But, don't blow it by taking advantage of their trust. Once you have it, losing it would take you that much longer to get it back. Also, if you ask them how you can help a little more around the house, it would make a big impact on how they treat you in the future. When all you give them is attitude, that's all you'll get back, along with a very lim
1131035
Sometimes I think it is...because I have been telling my mom all my life that when I get married I wanna adopt, rather than have my own. But my mom wants me to have them because she says its so different to have your own. And that when you have your own they look like you, you love them more, and it's better for yourself. I don't know...but to me, having your own kids is sorta selfish when there are soo many children out there without families. Also, there is a 40 year old lady at my church, who just got custody of her 17 year old step son. He was totally not brought up right with his real mom and he really needs a lot of attention, and all she could think about was having her own child. So now she has a 1 year old, and she's pregnant again, and she totally ignores her step son. To me, that's very selfish!!! I don't know, I guess it depends on the person though.
1137342
It's usually a mixture of both excitement for themselves and terror for their children. Many parents go through what is called "empty nest syndrome", which is uneasiness now that there are no diapers to change or soccer games to remember to attend. Depending on how troublesome the kids were to their parents, or how close their relationship...parents feel depression, worry, but relief that 18 years of raising kids is over with. Why don't you ask your parents if you don't believe me.
1150510
Would have treated my parents in a better way. Now that I grow up and have my own family,it really hits me that parents are the closest things you'd ever have after God.They deserve more...
106737
I think that it's a normal thing. You are attached to them, and it's perfectly fine to feel sad. Whoever says you're not normal apparently doesn't have kids or grandchildren...and if they do, well, they are sad for thinking it's wrong.
680654
Actually I became a parent in my late 20's but I will give up anything and everything I want and sometimes what I need to give my children what they need and deserve.  I have also given up any and all extra time I used to have to myself to go back to school and further my education to be able to continue to give them the life they deserve and the education they deserve.  It's all part of being a parent, wouldn't trade it for the world and I wouldn't really consider it a sacrifice either. :)
746015
You really hit the nail on the head with that one. I have more love and respect for my parents now that I have kids of my own. I understand more about them. They were never trying to ruin my life they were trying to keep me from ruining it. Just wish I would've listened more to them growing up. I would be so smart now. You never understand anyone's point of view until you're in their situation. My kids think I'm the meanest mama ever. If they only knew how good they really have it.
1136889
Everyone thinks you should have a baby coz they have been conditioned to think that all normal people must have kids especially after they marry. Now they do not realise that exceptions exist. Bide your time, listen to them but do not get upset by their comments.
543876
I feel very sad about this as a child needs a secure environment to grow which i dont think unmarried parents can justify. i want my kids to grow in  a safe n secure family as environment surely affects a child's psychology. Children are a God given assignment to parents.Its our duty to give them all the love they deserve n i feel that only commited parents can ever justify that.So what i think is that people should get married and then only have children. its good for both kids n their parents.I had a happy childhood only coz my parents were married.It counts a lot.\n\n\nWhy do u people who answered associate marriage with bitterness n hatred that would ultimately lead to divorce??
90542
I remember being a teenager, and always running out the door going somewhere with my friends.  I loved my parents, but didn't spend much time with them.  They are gone now, and I wish I had spent more time with them when we were all young.
72445
I have a child, and I'm a single mom.  Before I finally left my son's father I had been back in forth many times.  Everyone was telling me to stay, except for my older sister.  She told me something that everyone seemed to have missed...my happiness.  If you're not happy, then how much of that pain is reflected upon your children?  Don't stay in a marriage because of children.  You may think your kids are too young to notice your unhappiness, but they aren't.  \nThis is not punishment for you.  You had good intentions when you got married, but things aren't working out for whatever reason.  If you are afraid of leaving because you think you can't make it on your own, have faith, and if you really don't think you can leave because of your children then seek marriage counseling.