I agree with you but I don't really see what the alternative is. If you openly go around stating that you regret having children, what are people supposed to say? It's better to keep those thoughts to yourself because there, quite frankly, is nothing helpful anyone could say even if they wanted to. Not to mention that it would be unfair to the kids if they got the feeling that you regret having them.
It's really cool seeing how people connected with strangers from all over the place before the Internet. Also makes me wonder how many interesting uses of real estate like Home and Garden there are today in populated areas (34th st in Manhattan, etc.).