The Original Post
I forgot that I had posted here until recently. I did receive some messages asking for an update with regard to my situation and whether or not I spoke to my wife about wanting to be a father. I did work up the courage to tell my (ex)wife and it did not go well. Her feelings had not changed and I ended up seeking a divorce. In hindsight I realize I should have told her sooner and not tried to hide it. I take responsibility for not telling her sooner.
I told her about a month after I posted here. Our divorce was official the following summer. After my divorce I decided to move to the city. I wanted to have more opportunities to meet people and it was closer to my family. I ended up meeting my wife when I joined a walking club. We were both on the same page about wanting a serious relationship leading to marriage and children. My wife’s first husband had wanted kids but he changed his mind. I made sure we were both on the same page and knew what we wanted. I love my wife. She’s intelligent, she’s kind and I can’t say enough about her.
We got married last year after two wonderful years together. (I am 48 now and my wife is 33 years old) and we purchased a house near both of our families. We had to spend most of our combined savings for the deposit but it was worth it. My wife and I chose to do an IUI procedure and she gave birth to our son last month. Before we got married we both agreed we would be content to have only one child because I know it was quite stressful for my wife when she had the IUI procedure. It was stressful for both of us.
My wife is on parental leave right now. She’s a solicitor and we’re fortunate that her firm will allow her to work part-time until our son starts attending school and then she can return to a full time position. I left my job before my wedding to go to the civil service. There is more stability and a better salary. Most importantly though I don’t have to work long hours.
The only thing I regret is how I handled the situation with my first marriage. Not the rest. I’m beyond tired all the time now but I can’t imagine my life any other way.
What Reddit Said
Reddit users had mixed reactions to this dramatic life overhaul. Most commenters focused on the physical challenges of becoming a father at such an advanced age. The top comment highlighted the exhaustion and joint pain that comes with parenting in your late forties.
However, many Redditors respected his honesty about the situation. They acknowledged that staying in an incompatible marriage would have been unfair to both parties. Moreover, users appreciated that he took responsibility for not communicating his changing desires sooner.
The Verdict
The consensus was cautiously supportive but concerned about practicality. While Reddit understood why he divorced his wife for children when his biological clock kicked in, they worried about the physical toll. This represents a complex case of relationship drama where fundamental life goals changed. Most agreed he made the right choice for everyone involved, though the family planning timeline raised eyebrows.
Original post from r/TrueOffMyChest (1,080 upvotes, 471 comments)