We all know the line: “Until you have children you won’t understand.” Cool. Then some of us won’t. Because once you hear the unfiltered version, the decision often makes itself. One parent-to-be got the real talk: it’s a 24/7 job, the hardest work of your life—bullet dodged. Babysitting? A fast track to clarity. Being the cool aunt who hands back the stroller when the tears, mess, and meltdowns arrive? Bliss. Hospitality workers describe a different deterrent: guests who treat staff like on-call babysitters and caffeinate kids like tiny tornadoes. Others learned young—raising siblings, shouldering resentment, deciding never again. Add layoffs, unstable paychecks, and anxiety, and the math gets harsh. Parents push back: hard things are often the most meaningful. They’re right. One calls their toddler a chaos gremlin—and still melts when little feet sprint to the door yelling “Daddy’s home!” Here’s the rub: whether you call it deterrent or “contraception,” the effect is real. Honest stories are better than any glossy brochure. For some, it’s a cat and eight hours of sleep. For others, it’s choosing the marathon with eyes open. After hearing it all, which camp are you in?