Too often our grief is misunderstood and we hide our thoughts, feelings and actions from society. In this webinar we are going to talk about some of the different ways we can acknowledge and remember the children we hold in our hearts and not in our arms. Actions we have taken to help us to move forwards through our grief, without forgetting our parenthood dreams.
Some of the discussions and interractions may bring up a mixture of emotions but we hope you will find some comfort being amongst those who understand.
Date: Sunday 19th September 2021
Time: 11am Pacific Time US, 1pm Central Time US, 2pm Eastern Time US, 7pm London UK
Additional Information: We invite you to bring a candle to light with us during the webinar and any items that have a personal connection to the children who sit in your heart and not in your arms.
Register for this webinar here
PLEASE NOTE: The webinar will be recorded, but your camera and microphone will be turned off. The chat and question box is not recorded and will only be visible to other participants during the live webinar.
Stephanie Joy Phillips
World Childless Week Founder
A large part of my twenties was spent in an abusive relationship and I took the contraceptive pill to ensure children would not be born into that situation. In my early thirties I met my husband to be but we didn’t try to conceive until I was nearing forty. At the age of 39 we were told “if he manages to get you pregnant it is highly unlikely you’ll carry full term”. I knew in that moment, I would never be a mum.
In 2017 I founded World Childless Week and shouted out “We Are Worthy” but the words still stuck in my throat. Now at 54 I’m hitting the grandparent announcement triggers but I’m OK and working through them. I’m moving forwards with you x
I admin several Facebook groups including Childless Path To Acceptance for those past the point of trying to conceive, Childless Chit Chat and Childless Perks!! whose emphasis is on breaking away from the support, building friendships and finding laughter in a safe child-free zone.
I live in Worcestershire with my husband and two rescue cats, Storm and Tea-Cup.
Lesley Pyne
World Childless Week Ambassador
After multiple failed fertility treatments I didn’t know I was grieving so I carried on. I continued to carry on after Mum died followed a few years later by my Dad. Until I couldn’t. Eventually & reluctantly I began to explore my grief & I’ve emerged on the other side as a different person.
I firmly believe that everyone can find their joy & also that all our paths are different. Mine included therapy, yoga, writing & creativity & I explored these subjects & others including grief, letting go, self- acceptance & gratitude in the process of writing Finding Joy Beyond Childlessness: Inspiring Stories to Guide You to a Fulfilling Life.’
These days the scar of childlessness is becoming ever stronger, &, as the tissue round it grows stronger, it hurts less & less. That’s what I want for you.
Meriel Whale
World Childless Week Ambassador
Hi, my name is Meriel, I am a counsellor, teacher and writer and am childless not by choice. It is no longer possible for me to become a parent and so now my focus is on widening and deepening my life so that it is rich of full connections and worthwhile work, and worthwhile time out of work.
I identify as queer and am neurodiverse and both of these are very important aspects of who I am. I am childless for more than one reason and I tried to become a parent in more than one way, but nothing worked for me and so, in 2015, I turned to face my childless life.
I think I’ll always feel a bit sad about not having kids, but I am grateful for the community I have found and for the opportunities I now have to turn around and support other childless people through my work at Meriel Whale Counselling.
Vicky House
Our Clem would have been 12 this Christmas, but (s)he took a wrong turning and grew outside my womb.
I still grieve for Clem and my lost parenthood - I think I always will, but it really helps that (s)he lives on through Clem’s Garden, the volunteer-run social enterprise I set up with my dear friend and fellow nomo, Lizzie.
Our mission is to inspire kindness and community spirit with our beautiful homegrown flowers.
#CommunityIsFamily
Clem's Garden CIC is a social enterprise based in Huddersfield.
Chiara Berardelli
Chiara Berardelli is an Italian Scottish singer-songwriter living in Glasgow, Scotland. She grew up playing classical piano but spent most of her time playing along to any songs that made it over the airwaves to the Highlands of Scotland.
Chiara left her job as a doctor to follow her passion and studied music and songwriting in London and Bath. A lover of words, chords and honesty she writes about life and how it affects her.
In 2010 she recorded her debut album 'Don't Be So Lovely' with Mark Freegard (Eddi Reader, Del Amitri) at Kyoti studio, Glasgow and self-released a further EP, 'My Big Mouth' in 2014.
Her new album, Seamonster, released on March 2nd 2018, is her most personal project to date, inspired by the loss of her dream of becoming a mother. The songs depict a journey, from the crashing realisation that something so longed for is permanently out of reach in the title track to the tentative beginnings of finding joy again in the song Somewhere New. Seamonster, the Story appeared at The Barbican in April 2019 as part of Fertility Fest and Edinburgh's Free Fringe Festival in August.
Susan Darlington
Susan Darlington’s poetry regularly explores the female experience through nature-based symbolism and stories of transformation.
Her poetry has been published in Dreich, Anti-Heroin Chic, Dream Catcher, and One Hand Clapping among others.
In early 2021 she participated in the (Un)mother project, in which writers from across the UK explored childlessness in in the 21st century.
Her chapbook ‘Traumatropic Heart’ is upcoming from Selcouth Station and her collection ‘Under The Devil’s Moon’ is available from Penniless Press. Follow her at @S_sanDarlington
Register for this webinar here