To so many around the world, identity, fulfilment, and meaning stems from parenthood. In this pro-natal environment, the childless not by choice often feel like strangers in an alien landscape.
Read moreRedefining Identity as a “Step Parent”
I am childless not by choice in fact I am childless by circumstance and I am in a relationship with my partner who has 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.
Read moreApproaching the menopause as a childless woman: Owning the wisdom of a hard- won life
This post is meant to fly in the face of those demeaning stereotypes that, from movies to media discourse to unpleasant conversations, tend to portray childless women as “incomplete” and “ignorant” for not having children..
Read moreChampion Reflections: Resist Reduction and Grow Your Gifts
In the same way that wind and water can sculpt and reshape landscapes formed of rock or soil, childlessness,as a force, is equally dynamic.
Read moreOnline Friends are Real Friends
Last April, I brought together almost 100 people for the first ever, in-person Childless Collective Summit. In the months leading up to the event, I compulsively checked my inbox, scanning the details of each new registration that came through.
Read moreEmbracing Life in My Mid-Forties: Navigating the impact of being Childless Not by Choice
At the age of 45, I’ve reached a significant milestone in my journey of life and healing. As a woman who is childless not by choice, my path has been uniquely shaped by the challenges and heartache of my past.
Read moreUnfounded Parental Fear Dismisses My Cancer Reality
I know we’ve all encountered comments that can sting a little, hurt a lot or just make us internally roll our eyes until they feel they could burst and visually show the ignoramus opposite us that their words are not helpful, supportive or acceptable.
Read moreThe “Pedestal Motherhood” effect
La fête des Mères est pour bien des femmes, la journée de l’année la plus douloureuse qui soit.
For many women, Mother’s Day is the most painful day of the year.
Read moreChildlessness changes you: Reconnecting and Connecting to yourself
Reconnection to who I was prior to realising I would be childless; and connecting to who I am now that I am childless, has become a big theme for me in the last 2-3 years.
Read moreRising from The Ashes. Five Years on – I’m Nobody’s Mum, and I’m Assuredly Okay with it!
‘Rising from the ashes’ is how Jennifer Aniston describes her current phase of life after IVF. This might sound dramatic to those who’ve never been in the infertility trenches, but that’s exactly how the ‘come back’ feels after ten, arduous years of back-to-back IVF fails.
Read moreNeurodivergent and Childless
Being late diagnosed as an autistic ADHD’er, I realise that my neurodivergent brain impacted my childless not by choice (CNBC) experience to a significant extent over the years.
Read moreIt’s called International Women’s Day, not International Mother’s Day!
March 8th is International Women’s Day worldwide and the 2024 focus is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’ Whilst this is an important theme, I can’t help but wonder whether there’ll be a notable increase in inclusion around the issues women without children face this year?
Read moreDoes it take 10 years to heal from childlessness?
At Storyhouse Childless last September there was a ripple of agreement amongst the audience when someone suggested it took 10 years to heal from childlessness.
I rippled too.
Read moreFinding True Love: A Guide to Romance... with Yourself!
Self-care
a day-by-day, moment-by-moment choice to prioritise our needs as much as we do those of others. It is about committing to carving out time (however difficult) to rest, play and nurture ourselves.
Read moreWhen January shows up, I drop some anchors.
How small daily rituals can provide stability during transition times.
This year marks a decade since I came to terms with the permanence of my childlessness and the ending of an important intimate relationship.
Read morePatriarchal Motherhood – How It Divides Women And Damages Friendships
Social exclusion and friendship wounds can be one of the really painful parts of childlessness.
Read moreCultivating the fallow field of Twixmas
The week between Christmas and New Year can curdle like an overcooked guest for those of us who are childless not by choice.
Read moreA single, childless, Christmas
A single, childless, Christmas. For me personally, it’s developed over the years from a season of sadness, to a season of self-care (ok….sadness is still mixed in, that never really goes away).
Read moreView through the lens of experience - navigating the festive season
The end of year festive season is filled with the buzz of advertising to families. Print, TV, online – most seem to depict children and multi-generational joy. So, what happens when one is faced with a life that does not include children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents?
Read moreEvery day is International Men’s Day – right?
It all happens in November when it comes to men. First, the whole month is ‘Movember.’ Second, every 19th November is International Men’s Day (IMD). Finally, on the 23rd November this year is the Men and Boys Coalition National Conference.
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