I pick up the dove grey beanie, knitted during the UKs spring lockdown. It is soft and asking to be pressed against my cheek. A pattern of 13 circles, some intentionally incomplete, decorate the front of the hat from the edging band to the crown.
Read moreWords That Heart
The following blog written by Annie Kirby shares a collection of the creative writing produced as a result of the webinar “Words That Heart - Writing For Wellbeing”.
Read moreIs Today Significant?
Yippee, yahoo, wahoo – it’s New Year’s Eve and time to celebrate!?!
Did I need to do that, NO. Should I feel the need to do that, NO. So what if it is the New Year, it is just another day, pretty much the same as the last.
Read moreChildless Christmas
In a holiday centered on tradition the birth of a baby, or a miracle, it's easy to notice the gaps and who is missing from the table.
Read moreCoping With Christmas Using EFT
When the thought of Christmas and its associated images triggers you to feel upset, excluded and joyless, there is a way to remove the power of those triggers.
Read moreYou Never Spoke But I Heard You
I want to share something extremely special with you today. Something that shows not just the strength of sharing our words but the power and impact our words have.
Read moreDaughter's Day Origins
Apparently yesterday was 'daughter's day' in the US. Having done a quick Google (as you do) 'daughter's day' is celebrated in India tomorrow and also globally on the 28th September.
Read moreWhy I missed World Childless Week
Once Upon A Time... that sounds like the start of a fairy tale rather than reality but I can say (hand on heart) that I am looking for a “Happy Ever After” ending.
Stephanie Phillips (founder, World Childless Week)
Read more10 Things You Need to Know About Involuntary Childlessness
We love this article from Meriel, it’s one we all think should go viral and be part of all therapist training.
Read moreWorld Childless Week on air with Soho Radio!
You can listen to two World Childless Week champions tomorrow, Thursday 12th September, when journalist and radio presenter Bibi Lynch chats to Berenice Smith on Soho Radio. Here’s how to listen…
Read moreWhat is World Childless Week?
Did you see the wonderful interview between founder Steph and Heather from More to Life? If you didn’t, well pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and settle down to listen to Steph where she explains all you need to know about next week.
Read morePosts to inspire you: Letters From Our Hearts 2018
Posts to inspire you from 2018, on letters from our hearts, which is one of our most popular days. This year we’re asking you to write about forgiving yourself. You have until 10th September to write your letters and send them to us via the contact page in complete confidence. We hope you’ll be part of World Childless Week 2019.
Read moreWhy Our Stories Matter by Kate Kaufmann
The stories we tell ourselves and others give form and meaning to our lives. Psychologists know that how we make sense of what happens to us determines our well-being and emotional fortitude.
Yet when our fertile years are packed with disappointment, indecision, and strife, it’s hard to make sense of what’s happening. Our life stories aren’t following their proscribed paths. We’re different than people who are having kids. And often very, very alone.
Read moreFather's Day by Stephanie Phillips
Yesterday when I was in the middle of organising a newsletter for World Childless Week it suddenly clicked that it was Father’s Day for many countries this coming weekend. I realised the importance of acknowledging this day and the range of emotions it can raise for any man who is childless not by choice. Having focused on the history of Mother’s Day earlier this year I decided to follow the same pattern and look into the history of Father’s Day.
Read moreTake a Dance with Me
On Saturday I cautiously tiptoed, in my comfy shoes, into The Barbican for There’s More to Life Than Children. I spotted and overheard two ladies who appeared to be going to the same event and decided to follow them as I had no idea where I was going.
Read moreComfy Shoes by Stephanie Phillips
If you’d said to me a few years ago that I would be looking forward and feeling excited about attending a day about being childless I’d have given you a really weird look. I’d have thought you were insane and would have probably told you so.
But it’s now bizarrely true !!
Read moreKOSONG - childless women in Java, Indonesia
Chonie Prysilia recently contacted me to share her trailer for KOSONG; an animated documentary film about married women in Java, who are childless.
In Java (Indonesia) women are automatically blamed if children are not forthcoming in a marriage. They are not allowed the freedom to speak out, and are judged regardless of the situation.
Read moreMothering Sunday by Stephanie Phillips
Where do I start? It is a day that can lead to a complexity of triggers. In reality it is not one day but several weeks of constant reminders. Commercialism has taken over and is out of control.
Read moreFind Your Own Sparkle by Stephanie Phillips
Here we are on the 1st December, the official countdown to Christmas begins as advent calendars have their first day eagerly opened by kids across the world.
Read moreMeet the New Social Movement by Rachael Krinks
Policy makers and business people might want to check out the new social movement on the block as a demographic group of interest. The growing numbers of childless adults in Australia, the UK, the US and around the globe are making themselves heard.
Read more