Mother’s and Father’s Day is layered and difficult for the childless not by choice community. Bindi has held a free session for Mother’s Day exploring this for the last 4 years, through meditation and writing. In this session we will reflect on the difficulty this day holds and also make a plan for next year’s Mother’s & Father’s Day.
The layers of the day which makes it difficult:
You may have lost your mother or father.
You may have (or had) a difficult relationship with your mother or father.
You may be childless not by choice – you wanted to be a parent.
There will be a short guided meditation reflection on these layers of the day, some writing prompts, and a panel discussion. We will make a plan for Mother’s & Father’s Day, and bring in some gentleness for next year.
DATE: Thursday 17th September
TIME: 7.00pm BST - Find your timezone HERE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Pen and paper for writing prompts, glass of water, comfy clothing, tissues if it gets emotional.
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE
Please note: Whilst the panellists will be recorded, your camera and audio will be turned off. If you are unable to attend the webinar live, you DO NOT need to register to watch the replay. Just subscribe to the World Childless Week YouTube channel and you’ll be notified when new recordings are added.
PANELLISTS
Bindi Shah - UK
Bindi Shah is a meditation guide, and writer. Finding comfort in meditation, Bindi shares her learning with others, and teaches meditation classes for childless women.
"In meditation, you move inwards, which is a tender place to be. I want childless women to feel comfortable, and to be with others who understand their story.”
Bindi's path into the well-being world began in India after leaving her corporate job. She established a healing practice, combining yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and life coaching.
As well as meditation, writing is Bindi’s refuge during difficult times. She writes poetry, and has published a poetry book “The Eyes of Time”, under the name Grace Sumeria. This healing writing is the inspiration for her Write to Heal workshops.
Bindi's empathy for the childless community comes from her own multi-layered experience, including Adenomyosis that led to a hysterectomy. Her work revolves around empowering and supporting others on similar paths.
Any Thomale - Germany
I´m Any, 47 years old. I live in Germany, south of Munich with my partner and my two dogs Luna and Honey. I´m childless not by choice mostly because I was single or I didn´t have had a stable relationship during my 30s. I wanted to have a family. I didn´t want to become a single mom.
I found the love of my life nearly 10 years ago. When I turned 40, I finally realized that this would be my last chance of becoming a mom but my partner didn´t want to become a father. This was the start of realizing I would be permanently childless. I stayed with my partner - it was my choice. I love to be outdoors hiking in the mountains with my little family of four, to sing in the choir, and to play board games with friends. I love deep 1:1 conversation with my closest friends.
Danielle Hines - USA
Hi, I’m Danielle Hines. I’m 44 and live in North Carolina. I’m childless not by choice due to disabling chronic health conditions. In 2020, I came to the heartbreaking conclusion that my health was unlikely to stabilize enough to have children and to be the involved mother I longed to be.
I learned of World Childless Week and other resources for childless individuals around that time. Over the years, I’ve found my way through the worst of my grief with this amazing community by my side at every step. I live with my partner and our two cats, Susie and Tiger. I love painting, reading fiction, baking pies and sweet treats, meditating with other CNBC women, winning at Settlers of Catan, snuggling with Tiger, and spending time with my closest friends and family members.
Rachel Applegate - UK
Living in South West England, I work in higher education and I’m also an artist. My passions for nature, wildlife, walking and photography combine to inspire my silk paintings. In my workplace, I am a Staff Wellbeing Champion and I co-facilitate a support network for staff who are childless not by choice.
In my mid-thirties I was suddenly bereaved of my Mum. I came to the realisation of childlessness. Later I was bereaved of my Dad. Mother’s Day is very poignant and tender for me with the losses which ‘untethered’ me. Since then, I have come a long way and moved forward with my healing after a period of profound grief: through meditation, reflection and journaling, my artwork, through connections in the childless community and with support from friends and family. I now find ways to celebrate myself, and to connect with others when we navigate the trickiest days.
Tamara Meaux - USA
Tamara Meaux is childless by circumstance. She hosts two sub-groups within The Childless Collective, where she enjoys bringing women together to build meaningful friendships, share experiences, and remind one another that they are not alone.
As an only child who is also childless, Tamara understands the unique challenges that can come with navigating life outside the expected path. She is happily married and has three beloved cats who bring her endless joy. Tamara finds peace and connection in her weekly meditation practice taught by Bindi Shah. Tamara believes that while grief may always be part of her journey, it can exist alongside purpose, joy, adventure, and a deep appreciation for the life we continue to create.
