Did Your Parents Inspire Your Childfree Choice?
And the latest in childfree podcast episodes and Childfree Convention topics.
Hey there!
My mother passed away at age 47, eighteen years ago this week. Her dedication to raising her two kids is what inspired me to NOT have children. I’m now forty years old and cannot imagine spending my days raising humans, even with the support systems I have. In conversations with other folks these last few days, we explored the connection between our parents and the decision to remain kid-free.
When I reflect on my mom, I see all the time and effort she invested in her kids. She (and my dad) chose the parenthood experience. I do not know if she had other aspirations. What I do know is that I did not want to grow up and spend my time doing what she did, no matter how much she seemed to enjoy it. Motherhood is not my calling.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
LeNora Faye, co-founder of Childfree Media Ltd.
Childfree Podcasts: latest episodes
Childfree Media Podcast
In part three of this mini-series, LeNora and V discuss the rock-bottom moments, performative self-care, and being grateful for the emotional space that living childfree can offer.
A post on LinkedIn debating the term "childfree" caught the attention of LeNora and Cody in this live-stream replay. Reactions from parents, childfree, and childless were swift. Our live-chat audience had a lot to say, as well!
Evan talks about living with his two-year-old son. LeNora confesses her true feelings about watching her brother struggle during those early years of parenthood. They also discuss the need for personal space and the lack thereof when you have kids. Accidental Parenthood is a series created in allyship with the childfree community.
Did you know that August 1 is International Childfree Day? Leading childfree expert Laura Carroll dives into the history and celebrations that happen every year. Moderated by Cody Hetzel, this panel was recorded from the 2021 Virtual Childfree Convention (Conference).
No Bibs Burps Bottles Podcast
Dr. Phyllis E. Gillians, is a 50+ year-old educator, author, Social Worker, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a New Jersey native. She boasts of being a proud childfree Auntie and is affectionally known by her nieces, nephews and her girlfriends' kids as "Auntie Fabby". Dr. Gillians shares that although she is childfree - she is not childless - mentoring and claiming many of her college students as her own. She reps New Jersey to the fullest and loves the Black Girl Magic that has been sprinkled over her throughout the years by her family and community. Her personality and style are like no other - which draws you closer to her.
We’re Not Kidding Podcast
Margaret O’Connor has worked as a counselor and psychotherapist since 2011. She specializes in helping those who are unsure about parenthood make the right decision for them. Margaret has conducted two pieces of research regarding this topic. The first explored the role of personality factors and how they impact the decision to have kids. She also researched how women in Ireland make the decision whether or not to have children. In this episode, Margaret shares her insight and expertise in helping people navigate the decision of whether or not they want to have kids. You won't want to miss this episode!
2023 Virtual Childfree Convention Update
The third-annual Virtual Childfree Convention goes live on Childfree Media YouTube on Saturday, July 29th and Sunday, July 30th!
The following topic panels are seeking speakers:
Regional Panel: Being Childfree In Africa
Regional Panel: Being Childfree In Asia
Regional Panel: Being Childfree In the Middle East
Regional Panel: Being Childfree In Central/South America
Childfree Through the Ages (Gen Z to Boomer)
Childfree: Happily Solo & Happily Married
Childfree & Childless Alliance
What does it mean to be "Aggressively Childfree"?
Each panel is made up of a select number of speakers and two moderators. Questions are given to the speakers in advance. Time slots will be determined once speakers are selected.
Click here for the application form. The deadline to apply is February 28th!
Closing Remarks
There were no submissions for in-person events this week. However, two private groups on the Meetup App host events. There are no public links to be published here, but you can search ChildfreeNYC and Childfree Womxn Over 40 if you use that app.
If you have content ideas or submissions for the newsletter or are interested in getting involved with Childfree Media, email us at ChildfreeMedia@gmail.com.
Definitely yes. Our mom was overwhelmed with four little girls and zero emotional support. We all went to Mommy for every skinned knee, every perceived injustice, every personal need. Our father did no childcare whatsoever, not even the smallest thing. Mommy would lose her shit on a regular basis and just grab the nearest child and start hitting. We were a "good" family by the standards of the 1950s and verbal abuse and physical violence were a daily occurrence. I decided very early that I did not want for myself the life our mother had. She was not happy. And she did let me know that a wife did not have to be a mommy
I didn't want or have children for a myriad of reasons. One was that I never wanted to make a child feel as alone and unseen as my parents made me. I am fairly sure that was never their intent but that was the outcome.