As someone in my late 30s and childless -- and with a vasectomy to ensure that remains the case -- I have some regrets, but they're on the same level as the reg

As someone in my late 30s and childless -- and with a vasectomy to ensure that remains the case -- I have some regrets, but they're on the same level as the regrets that I got a dog which I struggle sometimes to care for. That is to say: Normal life regrets about closed doors, which I would likely have in the other direction if I didn't have children. In fact, on balance, I'd guess I have less regrets than I would otherwise. I think the pet comparison is apt here, because there's a lot of discussion in the "new puppy owner" community about feeling like we made a mistake, and a lot of corollary discussion about how having children is largely the same, but it's not socially acceptable to talk about those feelings when it's a human child. (The upside to a puppy, of course, is that you have a fully-formed dog in 2-3 years, instead of 18-25 years. The upside to a child is they probably won't die and leave you, and they might help care for you when you get older, though you shouldn't really plan on that.)