Introduction
So imagine the scenario...
You’ve just met someone for the first time and are starting up a conversation. You ask the all too common question “do you have any children” and to your surprise you discover that the person is childless.
So where do you go from there? It can depend on what the person said because their response may direct the conversation in a certain direction. However, have you ever replied with one of these statements?
Author Tessa Broad has written a wonderful book that talks about attitudes to childlessness and her journey called 'Dear You'. You can read more about this on her website here.
Believe In Your Own Value
I'm not religious. Baptised Christian Orthodox and coming from Greece, we are culturally conditioned to expect that we are going to get married and have a family with kids.
It's all in God's plan
God's plan, or the inference that there is a greater meaning, is a comment that the childless not by choice community hear. This is a selection of the responses that Steph received when she asked for feedback on the observation that childlessness is a religion plan...
No kids? You're lucky!
Being told we're lucky not to have children is a comment that the childless not by choice community hear often. This is a selection of the responses Steph received when she asked how we feel about the observation that we are fortunate to be without children.
Have you considered adoption?
Being told adoption is easy, often by those with no concept of the system is hurtful. This is a selection of the responses Steph received when she asked how we feel about this observation that adoption is easy. There was much to say on this.
This writer explains the many reasons why it wasn't right for her and her husband
Not So Mummy wrote this article
No kids? Have mine!
You might wish that this was never a comment and Steph was shocked that so many of the childless not by choice community had been offered children by parents. This blog post covers the responses and feeling of those who were on the receiving end.