Does being childfree mean a life less chaotic?

By Dann Alexander 

Parents seem to be constantly busy. It makes me wonder sometimes how some manage to find time for even a breath of air. Parents with young kids in particular might have them enrolled and involved in a number of activities. Those activities could be part of school or not. It can be argued that many of those activities are things that the kids may not want to be part of. Still, if children are truly interested in them, its’ commendable that parents will devote time to ensure they are taking part in something that can make them happy.

Where the chaos may come in for the parents is having very little time in between work and these activities to take that breath of air. It seems that many might lose entire days and evenings because of the chaotic schedules of their kids. Those parents that can pull it off and find balance in their lives certainly have my respect. I don’t know how they do it.

Then I take a look at my own life and wonder how I manage some days. There are times when the feeling is that there are not enough hours in the day. There is frustration that there might be too much to do and no time for myself. There is a search for the perfect balance in life.

Comedian Jen Kirkman really summarized it best as part of her book title: “I can barely take care of myself”. Sometimes I really do feel that way. People without kids can certainly have very busy lives. Those lives can be just as busy and dare I say it, even busier than some parents.

For people without children, there is clarity in that perceived chaos. There are those days when I say the title of Jen’s book out loud as a summary of my feelings. Most times I can immediately then take that deep breath. Because I remember that I made the choice not to have children in order to minimize the chaos. I think about how much more chaotic life might be if I had chosen to become a parent. Then I take a breath again, and move on.

Do you consider yourself as having a less chaotic life because you do not have children? Do you know of parents whose lives seem to be in constant chaos because of commitments related to their children? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Based just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada, Dann Alexander is the Author of Planned UnParenthood – Creating a Life Without Procreating which is available at Amazon and other online retailers. Twitter @WriterDann