Whilst we all share the same grief of childlessness, we each have a different story to tell of how we arrived here: the struggles to conceive, the sadness of not meeting a partner, the tough choices that broke our hearts, the circumstances that prevented and blocked our chance to be a parent. The confusion of emotions that left us grieving, the feelings of being misunderstood that made us withdraw from the world.
This is your opportunity to share your story.
How often do we consider the emotional toll on the counsellors, therapists and life coaches as they listen to our stories? This discussion will cover the challenges therapists face dealing with their own emotions and healing whilst supporting others and encountering new triggers. Join Cristina Archetti, Jody Day, Katie Maynard and Meriel Whale as they share their knowledge in the hope it will help you.
Lists of therapists: World Childless Week, Gateway Women
I dreamed about a baby last night. She was extra tiny — she could fit into the palm of my hand.
Endless Reproduction is a book of photographs made during the years I was unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant.
Hi there my name is Janet and this is my story. I was happily married at 23 to my best friend and we had our whole lives ahead of us.
Before the chance of motherhood was taken far away from me
I was young, I was in love, I had dreams, I was free
The struggle to conceive started on our honeymoon night. You see, we had tried to do things “God’s way.” We waited for 15 long months to have sex — until after we were married.
My name is Rianna Hijlkema, originally from The Netherlands, but currently living in Colombia.
I laid it all inside
so intricately, with grass and twigs
moss and hair, an overwhelming instinct driving on,
through unsure years
I don’t often feel sad about being childless any more, but recently I was floored by, of all things, my goddaughter’s shoes.
My sister had a baby today and I am heartbroken. I ache like someone died
Dear reader, I assume you are way younger then me. Perhaps you are in early stages in accepting your life after the infertility. This letter is for you.
My darling Regina, Please know that you were loved and desired and will always have a special place in my heart.
We were so excited to meet you.
We could picture your smiling face
We thought of how you’d look and sound
We were told you’d basically run the place
I should consider myself so lucky, I had amazing parents and had a great childhood. I am an only child and I spent a lot of time playing on my own but my doll, my baby girl Caroline came every where with me.
As I write this I can barely keep the tears at bay. My emotions swell because I am so angry.
It shows the things that hold me in this world, and keep me feeling something, anything, amidst the messy noise of grief…
On the 20th of March 2013 my beautiful baby daughter’s heart stopped beating, in my tummy, on her due date and without me knowing it, this heralded the beginning of my life as a childless not by choice woman.
I started writing in the World Childless Week of 2020. First, about how I found out by my infertility at the same time that my sister announced her pregnancy.
About eight years ago, aged 25, I came to the realisation that I would never be a parent.
Being informed in 2003, that I would not be able to bear children hit me like a ton of bricks.
The half-mast flag stood proud though inconvenient.
Barely noticed through stuffed open mouths and wasted food.
It can go either way to be honest. And that tipping point, in my humble opinion, is 100% in the hands of the kid’s biological mum and dad.
I always wanted to be a mother. I have memories from childhood of mothering my dolls. When I started school I began to play "house" with my other little girl friends.
A group artwork by the meditation classes for childless not by choice. In guiding the meditation classes, specifically for childless not by choice, I have observed that the life journey which has brought people to being childless is so varied