Maeve

Of course this is a personal decision and there’s no true way of knowing how it will work out either way. I just wanted to add something from my recent experience of becoming a parent. You say that publicly having kids is presented as the meaning of life and personally experienced as a toll. For us, it has been the opposite experience. We are honestly shocked and delighted by how much the toll- though steep- is worth. My friends and family may see me as tired and tied down but privately we are more fulfilled than ever. I swallowed so much negative discourse about parenting that the reality has been a sweet surprise, despite the many many challenges. The biggest surprise is that- for us- it’s been really joyful and fun even in trying circumstances and that joy is not as shareable in some respects as the war stories of sleepless nights etc (hence perhaps there is a narrative distortion now about how hard kids are!) Best of luck with your decision- you know yourselves best. Sounds like life is good as it is, which is a great place to be!