A submission is the core component of World Childless Week, so I’d best start at the beginning…
World Childless Week is seven days to raise the voice of anyone who is childless despite their longing to be a parent because they have never been pregnant (for any reason), not carried full term or have suffered the sadness of a baby born sleeping. People fall under the blanket term of childless for many reasons, such as infertility, circumstance, chance or tough choices. We are not childless for a date night, we are childless for life.
Our grief is disenfranchised and as such we often find our voice is silenced, emotions dismissed and opinions belittled. World Childless Week submissions allow the childless community to speak openly without fear. To share their stories, thoughts and feeling on daily situations and life-long concerns. Equally it is a week to celebrate and acknowledge how we are wonderful individuals worthy of being seen in all our glory.
Submissions can come in many forms, enabling free expression: written story, poem, monologue, song, dance, photography, painting or sculpture etc. Submissions can be on paper, a microphone or video; if it can go on a website, it can be submitted.
Submissions don’t need to be pretty and perfectly composed. They can be nitty-gritty and straight to the point. Anger, rage, confusion and sadness belong just as much as happiness, acceptance and celebration. No feelings are barred and no judgements are made in World Childless Week.
Whisper, speak or shout how it is to get your point across. The childless community understands. We don’t care if your grammar isn’t great of your sentence becomes an entire paragraph. It doesn’t matter if your poem doesn’t perfectly rhyme or your photo is slightly blurry. No one is perfect, our lives have certainly hit a curve ball so express yourself without concern. We’re listening.
Submissions are posted here on this website and then shared across the World Childless Week social platforms (see them at the bottom of the page). There are different topics for each of the seven days and you are not restricted to one submission.
You can be credited for your submission or remain anonymous, the choice will always be yours. If you send in two submissions, one could be credited and one could be anonymous; each submissions is treated individually and your choices are respected.
Becase World Childless Week takes place online it is accessible to all. The submissions are not hidden behind a paywall and the webinars cost nothing to watch live or view later. Previous years submissions and webinars are still available to all. World Childless Week is a free event to ensure it is available to support the childless community each day of the week, and each week of the year.
To date there is no physical event, but perhaps, one day, who knows?
Love and laughter
Stephanie Joy Phillips
Founder, World Childless Week