Most of these replies focus on the "children" part of your post. I think the "family" end can provide ample meaning in life as well. My wife and I do not have children. That was a choice we made for many solid reasons, and I would not change it. However, I am surrounded by friends/ coworkers/ / siblings that have children and I absolutely see how their lives have more meaning... at times I envy that. However, although we have no children, we have taken care of my wife's father at the end of his life, and that was a deeply meaningful experience. We plan on moving halfway across the US in a couple years to do the same for her mother, then again for my parents (all in different states). We can only do this because we don't have children, but we seek to serve the elderly in our family. It brings meaning to my life. Sure, different than children, but meaning non the less.