childless

Episode Highlights: 

*We'll navigate through the distinctions between 'Childless' and 'Childfree' while discussing the importance of self-identification and reclaiming our narratives. *

Discover the nuances between 'Childfree by Choice' and 'Childfree by Circumstance' and gain insights into the diverse experiences within our community. 

*Explore familiar acronyms like DINK and SINK, as well as lesser-known terms like TTC and Empty Nesters, unraveling the complexities of modern lifestyles. 

*Journey with me as I share personal anecdotes about embracing the childfree lifestyle in Portugal, offering a glimpse into the joys and occasional complexities of living life on your own terms. 

***BONUS! I’m inviting you to join the conversation and celebrate the diverse identities within the Unapologetically Childfree Community at our FREE social Hour March 1st, 2024 @ 9pm Lisbon time. Register free: https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/registerfree 

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ep. 012—Timestamps 

00:00 Introduction to Childfree Terminology 

00:25 Understanding the Difference Between Childless and Childfree 

01:01 The Importance of Identifying as Childfree 

02:27 Exploring the Terms: Childfree and Childless 

04:18 The Significance of 'By Choice' and 'By Circumstance' 

07:46 Understanding DINK and SINK 

08:43 Other Important Terms: TTC, Empty Nesters, Step Parents, and Pre-Parents 

10:34 The Importance of Differentiating Childfree and Pre-Parenting 

14:09 Living the Childfree Lifestyle in Portugal 

15:59 Conclusion: Embracing the Childfree Community 

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Mark your calendar for our upcoming free social hour on March 1st, 2024, and connect with fellow childfree people. https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/registerfree 

Meetups: https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/meetup 

Instagram: https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/instagram 

All the Links: https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/links 

Join my email list for additional Childfree Content: https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/emaillist 

Childfree Woman’s Path: Friends, not FOMO (My ebook and journal) https://unapologeticallychildfree.com/childfreepath

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Unapologetically Childfree! 

Hey there, Maggie Dickens here, thrilled you’re part of the Unapologetically Childfree Community– your go-to spot for finding the childfree community you never knew existed and can no longer live without. We cover all things childfree, where we share laughs, explore, and embrace life without kids and without apologies. 

Our Vibe: Imagine a cozy chat with a friend who gets the childfree lifestyle – that's our channel. From breaking stereotypes to sharing hilarious experiences, we're a community celebrating life without kids. 

This isn't just a podcast; it's a place for friends. Our guests are our friends, mentors, authors, experts, and listeners. Real people, real stories, and real talk about choosing a childfree life. Get ready for inspiration, camaraderie, and a few "aha" moments. 

Why Subscribe? Whether proudly childfree, considering the lifestyle, or curious, we've got something for you. Expect laughs, empowerment, and genuine stories from real people navigating life without kids. 

Important Notice: 

Please Read This Is Not Therapy: - Although I'm a therapist, this channel is NOT a substitute for mental health care or therapy. The content provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only. 

Your Well-being Matters: - Your mental and physical health are top priorities. If you're in crisis, please reach out to local emergency services or a mental health helpline immediately. 

Disclaimer: This description was created in collaboration between me and AI.

Fewer people are having children and more people are living alone.   

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - is it though? Some of us are basking in absolute happiness, while others are hanging on by a thread. Let's discuss why babies make me cry, what it’s really like being single during the holidays, being left empty handed in the dating world, waiting games, validity in your bitter bitch era, and fears to share with your therapist.
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00:00 Introduction to Childfree Math

00:53 Understanding the Cost of Raising a Child

01:40 The Misconception of Surplus Cash in Childfree Life

02:08 Breaking Down the Costs Associated with Having Children

05:30 The Impact of Parenthood on Personal Finances

07:38 The Lifetime Expense of Parenting

08:35 The Financial Reality of Childfree Individuals

10:54 The Societal Pressure of Keeping Up with the Joneses

13:03 The Impact of Planned Obsolescence on Parenthood Costs

15:31 The Financial Freedom of Being Childfree

16:56 Does It Really Pay to Be Childfree?

17:54 Conclusion: The Financial Implications of Being Childfree

Download the Unapologetically Childfree Starter Pack FREE: https://maggiedickens.thrivecart.com/unapologetically-childfree-starterpack/?coupon=PODCAST (remember to use coupon PODCAST)

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:55 Welcome to Unapologetically Child Free

01:23 Recognizing the Obligations of Holidays

03:13 Understanding the Pressure and Stress of Holidays

03:56 Preparing for the Holiday Season

04:24 Navigating Obligations and Expectations

04:31 Addressing the Challenges of Travel and Accommodation

08:27 Recognizing and Managing Stress

10:04 Strategies for Handling Difficult Conversations

10:19 Identifying Potential Difficult Conversations

14:18 Scripts for Handling Difficult Conversations

23:46 Final Tips for Navigating the Holidays

28:01 Conclusion and Farewell

Natasha is a British-Asian woman who was born with a bicornate uterus, who found out at 21 that carrying a child to term would be very difficult and dangerous.

This helped Natasha make a careful, considered choice about being childfree, but it was the final disappointment for her traditional Hindu parents who she’s now cut out of her life.

This was an eye-opening conversation about growing up in England as someone of South Asian heritage, being “not brown enough” for some people, and breaking free of your family’s rigid expectations to create a lovely childfree life for yourself.

Read Natasha’s story on We are Childfree: “It was very much a decision thrust upon me at a really young age so it’s probably why I’ve thought about it more than my peers.”

Join your community of childfree cheerleaders and sign up for a We are Childfree membership today!

Every now and then, a post goes viral hating on childless women at theme parks. We break down a recent, famous example, and chat about what is going on here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you decide whether to have kids or not? That's the question from a self-proclaimed fencesitter that we put to the We are Childfree community for this episode of Ask WAC!

How can you even imagine life as a parent? How do you separate external pressures from your own inner feelings? Listen to find out!

To get the full episode, join We are Childfree today 🤗

And if you have a question or problem you'd like the community's help with, email hello@wearechildfree with "Ask WAC" as the subject line, and we'll tap into the childfree hive mind for a future episode! 🐝

Join Heather and Maureen for a feminist frolic to Spinster City as they interview Heather's single, childfree friend Abigail. They ask the hard-hitting questions and break it down to the heart of our weird cultural war between parents and non-parents. The gals talk building community and finding support from childfree friends in unexpected ways - especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

This episode is a wild ride with your two favorite midwives & lactation ladies. Venturing into the socio-political sphere, Heather and Maureen kvetch about the patriarchy, 19th century Supreme Court decisions, and why everybody has to poop at Barnes & Noble. Listen to learn more about the benefits of keeping your spinster friends close and why everyone needs an Abigail in their lives.

Work With Us!

• Book a Lactation Consult with Heather! Click HERE for the deets.
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THANKS TO OUR NEW PATRONS:
Chelsea Carey, Kinsey Bickham, Julia Gorman, Rachel Bueche, and Hayley Ryan!

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS

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Listener Question: I bed share with my 8 month old and breastfeed when they stir in the night to get them to fall back asleep. What advice do you have about getting them back to sleep once I transition them to their own bed?

Mentioned in this episode:
We Are Men Enough podcast: Man Enough - Podcast
Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother by Peggy O’Donnell Heffington
Rich Auntie Supreme: Home | Rich Auntie Supreme

Prefer to read the transcript? Click Here 

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Do childfree people ever regret their decision? That's the burning question we put to the We are Childfree community for the very first episode of Ask WAC!

How many childfree people experience regret? Where does that regret come from? What does it feel like? Listen to find out!

Sources for this episode:
The incredible We are Childfree community. Join us!
MSU study confirms: 1 in 5 adults don’t want children — and they don’t regret it later
Childfree by Choice: The Movement Redefining Family and Creating a New Age of Independence by Dr Amy Blackstone
Podcast: No regrets, with 78 year-old childfree trailblazer Marcia Drut-Davis
Regrets, hot and cold on The History of Emotions Blog

If you have a question or problem you'd like the community's help with, email hello@wearechildfree with Ask WAC as the subject line, and we'll tap into the childfree hive mind for a future episode! 🐝

To get more Ask WAC, other bonus episodes PLUS the support of our wonderful community of childfree cheerleaders join We are Childfree today 🤗

We welcome the incredible Marcia Drut-Davis to the pod! She's a trailblazer in the child-free movement and has paved the way for women questioning the idea of motherhood. Marcia shares her journey, including the backlash she faced for declaring on national television that she never wanted to have children. She also shares importance of having a passion in life that brings you joy, the power of staying true to yourself even when it goes against conventional norms, and the value of nurturing and caring for others in different ways. Lots of great takeaways! Be sure to take notes!

Follow Marcia on IG:

Marcia's Book: Confessions of a Childfree Woman: A Life Spent Swimming Against the Mainstream

Want to dive into today's topic and get more support? Text BREAKTHROUGH to 855-534-2890 to get all the info you need to schedule a one-on-one session with Angela. 

BOOK YOUR SESSION HERE

Join THE MOVEMENT, a free text community. Text “SWEATREMIX” one word to 855-534-2890 and get a weekly dose of inspo and support to claim a life you love! 

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Author Sari Botton calls her hysterectomy the best thing that ever happened to her, a true blessing. An older Gen Xer, she never felt entitled to choose not to be a mother, and at 40, found herself in a fertility clinic getting a diagnosis that gave her “permission” to live a happily childfree life. Sari has such a unique perspective, and it was amazing getting to talk about embracing a choice that was chosen for you, and the forces that want to strip us of our choices.

Check out Oldster Magazine, Sari’s incredible newsletter which explores what it means to travel through time in a human body, at every phase of life.

Read “My biological clock can’t tick fast enough” by Sari Botton.

Join the We are Childfree membership for a video version of this podcast.

The first man we’ve ever had on the pod! We’ve had a lot of requests to hear from couples about how they navigate the childfree choice together, so we reached out to Xander, husband and business partner of sex therapist Vanessa Marin. The couple opened up on their Pillow Talks podcast about their decision not to have children, in what proved to be their most popular episode ever!

Xander told us how they arrived at their choice, and when they did, how this “domino belief” gave them permission to create a life together that truly fulfils them. It was great to hear from a man about how his experience differs from his wife’s, how they’ve coped with their families’ expectations, and how they counsel parents about their relationships and sex lives.

Check out Vanessa and Xander Marin on vmtherapy.com and their Instagram.

Pillow Talks: The Truth About Why We’re Child Free

Pillow Talks: How To Decide If You Should Have Kids Or Not. And Are We Still Child Free By Choice?

Join the We are Childfree membership for a video version of this podcast.

Whew, this was a tough one. Infertility impacts many couples and we are no exception.  We hope by sharing our experiences and insights, we can provide some comfort to those who may be going through a similar journey. 

Do you have a topic idea for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at endothickofit@gmail.com or reach out on our Instagram, @endothickofit. 

Like the podcast! Please give us a 5-star rating and leave a review! If you want to support our efforts, we’d love it if you bought us a coffee! ☕️. Buy us a coffee here: https://ko-fi.com/endothickofit

Thanks so much for your love and support as we build this amazing little community that we love so much! 💛

Here's your first sip of Childfree Tea, the brand new bonus podcast from We are Childfree!

Join founders Zoë and James for an emotional update on the ups and downs of running a global childfree community. Get the latest on our beautiful fur baby Olive, our wonderful coverage in The Guardian, meeting childfree icon Cindy Gallop and our plans to hit the road.

To get more Childfree Tea, exclusive community interviews and answers to your burning questions, become a We are Childfree member today!

Cindy Gallop is the older childfree role model we all need! She calls herself the “Michael Bay of business” because she likes to blow shit up - most famously as the founder of the revolutionary social sex platform MakeLoveNotPorn.

Cindy never wanted children, adores being single, dates younger men casually and recreationally for sex, and doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks! She’s become an icon for Gen Z on TikTok, who can now say “I have seen my future and it is bright.” Join us for a pep talk about being unapologetically yourself and designing your own life, a life that gets better and better!

Find Cindy at cindygallop.com and MakeLoveNotPorn, and check out her revealing episode of What’s Underneath on StyleLikeU.

Cindy and I both recommend the incredible book “Why Have Kids?: A New Mom Explores the Truth About Parenting and Happiness” by Jessica Valenti.

Join the We are Childfree membership for an exclusive video version of this podcast.

Therapist and author Kelly McDaniel on the links between non-motherhood and what she calls "mother hunger." In the episode we discuss:

-Kelly’s definition of “mother hunger” and how she came up with the term.

-Why 50% of the population experience mother hunger and how it manifests in issues around food and love.

-What causes mother hunger - and why this is often the result of an epigenetic inheritance.

-Why structural issues make it harder for mothers and babies to bond - and the lifelong attachment issues that can result from this.

-How mother hunger impacts our procreative choices and how we may feel about becoming mothers ourselves.

-The links between mother hunger, anorexia, and being “a-reproductive” (i.e. having no desire to reproduce).

-The impact of a lack of paid parental leave on mother hunger.

-Why choosing not to have a child can be the most “loving” choice if we are aware that our capacity to mother is being compromised.

-Why our materialistic, consumer culture is just another substitute mother - and a way we seek to soothe our mother hunger.

Learn more about Kelly's work HERE and find her book, Mother Hunger, HERE.

Get your copy of Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood HERE.

In one of our regular After Thoughts sections, Luke and Kyle discuss the previous episode, and how it resonated with them. Naomi really went through the darkness and it took a monumental shift in her perspective to start to see the light again. A really unique and compelling episode. Thank you to all our listeners as always!
Links for Naomi:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/acreativepurpose/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/acreativepurpose/
Site: https://www.naomigeidel.com/

Naomi Geidel uses the terms, 'extended singleness' and 'childless, not by choice' as she describes her life up to this point. As the years went by, and especially as she hit her forties, Naomi went into a very dark place, and the realization of a life without a partner, or a child, became a heavy reality that she couldn't seem to deal with. This 'loss', as she describes it,  has touched every area of her life and in the depths of grief it changed the confidence she had in herself and most things in the world.  It was super hard and not pretty, but she leaned into this difficult season, and has come out the other side .... not perfect, yet stronger....not fully healed, yet healing. Its a fascinating and thoroughly engaging episode, and we could have talked for hours! From the bottom of the depths of darkness, she is experiencing joy again, and has the energy to create and see better days ahead. Thank you Naomi!!
Links for Naomi:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/acreativepurpose/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/acreativepurpose/
Site: https://www.naomigeidel.com/

Rethinking aging as women without kids, with TV host and menopause activist, Stacy London. In the episode we discuss:

-Stacy’s experience of being faced with her biological clock - and being confronted with the finality of menopause. 

-Her friend group getting younger and younger, as all the women her age got married and had kids.

-What longer lifespans in general will do for our procreative potential.

-Why the “grandmother” figure is the only valid role for older women in our society - and how women without kids can embody grandma energy.

-Why agism is often cloaked sexism. 

-The different factors - genetic and otherwise - that determine how we experience menopause. 

-Why Gen X is changing the script about what it means to be an “older woman.”

-Why information is power when it comes to navigating menopause – and how to advocate for what you need.

-Why Stacy decided her product company, State of Menopause, was not the best way to help people in this transition, and why she is shifting her focus to education going forward.

Follow Stacy on Instagram to learn more about her work @stacylondonreal.

You can pre-order your copy of Women Without Kids: The Revolutionary Rise of an Unsung Sisterhood HERE—and enter your order details to receive a free book club guide and be entered into a prize draw to win one of 10 limited edition "Sisterhood of the Selfish C*nts"  tote bags.