If you talk with them in a non judgemental way, they usually cave in and confess that sometimes they wish a childless life. Of course, the moment you get judgem

If you talk with them in a non judgemental way, they usually cave in and confess that sometimes they wish a childless life. Of course, the moment you get judgemental, call them bad mothers, or try to "explain" how and why they are wrong, you will never get again these kind of confessions. I think "regret having kids" is too strong here. But having doubts about it, or sometimes whishing/missing their pre-child life is very common. For men is even worse, because they usually get the "luxury" of being almost childless having children. They put the childcare on the mother, and focus on the job, so having kids for them is like having an expensive hobby.