Living Childfree by Choice Reading List: July 5, 2013

I hope all of my American childfree friends are enjoying their 4th of July Weekend.  Since I live in South Florida where the sale of fireworks are legal it’s been more like a 4th of July week.  In fact, I believe the festivities began last weekend for some Floridians. As you know we have an event of our own to celebrate.  International Childfree Day, formally known as Non-Parents Day , is coming up quickly.  There are only 10 days left to send in your nominations for International Childfree Man and Women of the Year.  Please remember that self-nominations are welcome.  You may not be familiar with the childfree panelists so I thought I’d introduce you to some of them with the living childfree by choice reading list.  You can familiarize yourself with them by reading the blog posts listed below.

Enjoy your weekend. Please get  your nominations ready so you can fully participate in International Childfree Day.

Living Childfree by Choice Blog Posts

Having the “ No Baby Talk ” – Are you in a new relationship or just about to make a lasting commitment to your significant other?  No matter where you are in the current timeline of your relationship, eventually you should talk about having or not having kids.  Patricia Pedraza-Nafziger talks about this subject in greater length and gives great advice in her blog post.  This is definitely childfree relationship guidance that you should read and share with your friends.  You can read more about Patricia and how she has been living childfree by choice for 27 years on this page.  Eric Nafziger collaborates with her on these childfree articles.  Have you had this talk yet?

Discrimination Based on Reproductive Choice – In this revealing childfree blog post Laura Caroll shares the story of how one childfree woman was discriminated by a group of supposed “highly educated” men and women.  What happened to her is very offensive and shows that we still need to stand up for ourselves in a world that would happily brush us under the rug.  Kuddos to Laura for sharing this story with the world.  You can read more about Laura and how she has shed abundant light on pronatalism here.   Have you ever been discriminated for being childfree?

Be Fruitful and Multiply! – As a childfree person you’ve probably had the bible quoted to you more than a child attending Sunday School in the Bible Belt.  Well, thanks to Lance BlackStone of werenothavingababy.com you can finally have something to say when someone reminds you that the bible says to be fruitful and multiply.  His pithy blog post on this subject is exactly what the childfree community has been waiting for.  You can read more about Lance and gain insight on the life of a childfree man on this website.  How often have you been told to be fruitful and multiply?

Dogs Bond Like Babies – Some childfree dog owners feel a strong connection to their dogs and a new study suggests that their canine companions bond with them.  Amy Blackstone introduces this study in her blog post and talks about the comparisons people make between having a dog and raising a child.  You can read more about Amy and her musings on childfreedom here.  So, do you consider yourself a puppy parent or a privileged dog owner?

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Living Childfree by Choice Reading List.  What did you find the most interesting?  Do you think you know the panelists a little better?  Do you think Eric and Lance should collaborate and let the world know more about childfree men?  Let the world know in a comment below.

P.S. Be sure to email me your nominations in soon.  This is your chance to be a part of a worldwide childfree nominations.  Self-nominations are welcome.

Living Childfree by Choice Weekend Reading List: June 28, 2013

They say, when it rains it pours.  That has been true figuratively and literally for me this week as it has been raining on and off in South Florida.  I also have been very busy preparing something very special for all of my childfree friends.  I can’t tell you about it yet, but you are going to love it.  Despite having a hectic week, I still found the time to put together this reading list for everyone who is living childfree by choice.  Whether you are going to celebrate the Fourth of July a little early this weekend or catch up on some gardening,  take the time for some well-deserved childfree reading.

Living Childfree by Choice Blog Posts and Books

Thoughts on Childfree versus Childless and Other Labels People Throw Around – This interesting blog post is from a woman who feels more comfortable with the term “childless” for herself.  In this post she expands upon the differences between the childfree and the childless.  She also touches on some of the similarities that the childfree and the childless share.  She gives great insight into what it feels like to be a woman who wanted children, but couldn’t have them.  Do you have any friends that are childfree by chance?  Do you feel you share some common ground when it comes to insensitive questions?

Childfree Guilt: There Won’t Be Any Grandkids – There are some childfree men and women who feel guilty for not “giving” their parents grandchildren.  In fact, their own parents may have a lot to do with it by constantly hinting at the desire to be a grandparent.  I dealt with this type of prodding myself and I talk about it at greater length in my book.  Anyway, this  blog post is about a childfree woman feeling that very guilt and asks for help in an advice column. Did you ever feel this type of guilt?  How did you deal with it?

“Stay Outta the ‘burbs,” a Blogger Tells the Childfree. Yikes! – This childfree blog posts will make your jaw drop.  It’s in response to a very ignorant blogger and I’m glad  Ellis and Cheryl Levinson called him out on his hateful post.   Apparently, this man believes that the childfree shouldn’t live in the suburbs.  He also thinks that the childfree shouldn’t live in houses.  Frighteningly enough, that sounds like a childfree relocation program.  Has anyone told you that you shouldn’t live in a house in the suburbs?  Did your realtor ask you how many kids would be moving into your new home?

Being Fruitful Without Multiplying: Stories and Essays from around the World – Don’t you love the title of this new childfree book?  The title alone speaks volumes about this collection of childfree stories and essays.  As you can plainly read, they are from all over the world.  This would be a great addition to any childfree library.  Wouldn’t it be great if this blossoms into a series?  Maybe some of us will be in it?  Have you shared your childfree story?  Do you blog about childfreedom?  Do you have a childree book of your own under way?

What did you think of this living childfree by choice reading list?  Let the world know in a comment below.

Living Childfree by Choice Weekend Reading List: June 21, 2013

Are you living childfree by choice?  If you are, then you’ll  enjoy the reading list I compiled for this weekend.  The weather hasn’t been  sunny in South Florida this week which means I had extra time to spend to find interesting childfree blog posts.  I hope you enjoy this edition and make good use of the content.  Share this list with other childfree friends and family if you find it useful or entertaining.

Be sure to leave a comment below to let the world know  you’re happily  childfree by choice. Keep up to date with the online community. It will make you smile.

Living Childfree by Choice Weekend Reading List: Blog Posts and Articles

‘BINGO’ GETS A NEW DEFINITION, COURTESY OF CHILDFREE ADULTS – Living childfree by choice takes a tremendous amount of strength and courage.  You’ll find that many people do not accept your decision and make it their personal mission in life to berate you.  That means besides being strong and courageous, you must also have the ability to make light of certain situations.  This blog post talks about one of the ways that you can laugh off the criticism you receive from “well meaning” friends and family.  Read it before someone has the chance to to say, “You’d make a great parent!”  🙂

Pro-Choice: Choosing Not to Parent – Choosing to be childfree is a valid reproductive choice.  You might not have been told this before, but you can live a very happy and fulfilling life without ever having children.  You can also be married and not feel a shred of guilt for not having “fruitful union”.  The choice is up to you.  It will always be up to you.  This excellent blog post delves deeply into the reality of being a childfree women and what this lifestyle has meant to the author.  Melissa McEwan is a very talented writer.  Her blog posts do not disappoint.   Did you have a strong childfree role model when you were growing up?

Unapologetically child-free – Is their a culture that openly accepts people who live childfree by choice?  I’m certainly not a member of one.   This blog post gives you a look into the life of an Indian woman whom is childfree.  Her family may want her to be a mother, however that’s not what she’s chosen.  She’s content without children!  Do you refuse to apologize for your childfreedom?

Are child-free restaurants unfair? – Childfree people are used to dining without children.    It’s refreshing to have the option to be able to go to a restaurant and dine among other adults.   It’s unfair for the childfree to remain unrecognized in our society. After all, there are plenty of restaurants that cater to families with children.  Why shouldn’t there be a couple of establishments that suit the needs of childfree families? This article broaches the subject of childfree dining while letting you know how your opinion counts.

What are your thoughts about living childfree by choice?  Let me know in a comment below.  I love hearing from the childfree community.

P.S. Check out my book on createspace.com.