Do you regret having children? Episode 402

The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode, Niall explores a deeply taboo question: Do people ever regret having children? It's a topic most parents are too ashamed or afraid to speak about publicly—but for some, the feeling is real.

The conversation begins with an email from a listener who admits they love their children but quietly wonder what life might’ve looked like without them. The exhaustion, financial strain, loss of freedom, and relationship breakdowns have left them questioning whether parenthood was the right path.

Callers respond with brutal honesty.

Some say it's a thought they've had late at night when the pressure becomes too much. They talk about how parenthood isn’t always the joyful, fulfilling journey it’s made out to be—especially when support is lacking or when it comes at the cost of identity and dreams.

Others are outraged by the very idea, calling it selfish or ungrateful. To them, children are a blessing, not a burden, and regret is a luxury some can't afford to entertain. They believe that even in hard times, the love and purpose parenting brings outweighs any fleeting doubts.

This episode pulls no punches. It's raw, emotional, and brutally honest—shining a light on one of the last parenting taboos.

Date:

14/05/2025