CHILD-FREE AND CAREFREE

Cheryl Turner, 54, has no regrets about not being a mum

- CHERYL TURNER, WORDY BIRD LTD

Sitting with my friend in a bar, I ordered myself a large wine. ‘I’ll just have a lemonade. It’s “Mum’s taxi service” later,’ she tutted, explaining she had to pick her teenage kids up from a party. She watched on with envy as I enjoyed my vino, and I didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. In fact, I felt a little bit smug that I didn’t have to worry about being responsible for anyone other than myself. More than 20 years ago, I made the decision not to have children and even now, I believe it’s the best decision I ever made.

My childhood was a happy time: lovely holidays, from Clacton-on-Sea to the Costa Brava, chaotic but fun family Christmases, and fully embracing everything about growing up in the 1970s and 80s. I guess I was in a minority club, as I’m an only child. No big brothers or sisters looking out for me, and no younger siblings to boss around! It suited me just fine – I made friends really easily and this continued into adulthood, too.