I thought not having kids was my biggest regret in life. I realized that I could be the cool aunt instead.

The author didn't have kids and is now the cool aunt and dog mom. Courtesy of the author I smiled through holidays as the "cool aunt" while quietly grieving the life I thought I'd have. A friend's offhand comment made me see that my child-free life had real benefits, not just loss. Presence doesn't require parenthood — my niece called it "the aunt influence" before leaving for college. In my 30s, I was the only one of my three siblings who wasn't married or starting a family. At holidays an...