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The number of babies born in the US in 2018 fell to the lowest level in 32 years, according to a 2019 report by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. The numbers indicate an ever-growing trend of more and more young people, especially millennials, opting for a childfree lifestyle.

Even though the joys of growing a child are undisputable, skipping parenthood may often seem an appealing decision to millennials who face college debts and enormous costs of living. Instead, many opt for the freedom of traveling, experiencing things, and cherishing their personal independence.

But in order to find out why exactly so many people make the decision of a childfree life, we have to look at what these people have to say themselves. So we rounded up some of the most illuminating tweets on the joys of life without kids that will surely give everyone a lot to think about.

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There are multiple reasons why more and more people are opting to live childfree, but most of them have to do with being practical. A recent survey run by SoFi and Modern Fertility showed that money was the leading reason for delaying life milestones for their 2,000 survey respondents.

When the respondents were asked to list the key financial burden of having kids that they are afraid of, by and large, the number 1 answer was childcare. “In fact, a full 75% of people said they view childcare costs as the single biggest financial burden of having kids.”

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Amy Blackstone, professor of sociology at the University of Maine and the author of “Childless by Choice: The Movement Redefining Family & Creating a New Age of Independence,” surveyed 70 childfree men and women and discovered some interesting things.

Amy says she “has not talked with anyone who feels regret about their choice.” Parenthood is definitely not for everyone, and “it takes a lot to be a good parent, so if somebody doesn’t feel that pull, that’s perfectly OK,” Amy explains.

Meanwhile, the professor claims that childfree people are fulfilled and happy, contrary to what some people may claim. “When people say we are missing out on something, that’s absolutely true. But I would also turn it around and say it’s possible that parents are missing out on some aspects of the lives that childfree people enjoy.”

According to Amy, we can’t do it all and people need to choose the lifestyle and experiences that work for them.