Childfree Reflections

Living childfree by choice is a lifestlye. Do you wish there were more childfree restaurants? This childfree post indicates that childfree restaurants are doing well.

Do you have any childfree restaurants in your area.  Do you frequent them?

Let us know in a comment below.

Feeling  excited about August 1st being,”International Childfree Day”?  Have you thought of ways  you’d  like to to celebrate?   Maybe you have no clue what to do?

Whatever you plan for this day, remember  this is a day to celebrate your decision to live childfree by choice. You may want to share this with others or just enjoy the moment alone.  May I be the first one to say congratulations.  You made the choice that was right for you. Sometimes, in this pronatalistic society that takes a lot of strength. Sometimes, it’s as easy as can be.

Soon, I will post the two people  named International Childfree Man and Woman of the Year. But that doesn’t mean your own worth and value isn’t as important. It’s you who can show family and friends that you’re living a life of quality, joy and importance. Some of you volunteer to help others. Some are in careers where you touch the lives of people. Indeed some do so much for children as  doctors, educators, or therapists!

So, even if you didn’t win that title this year you have my respect for staying true to yourself.  I hope you continue to make a difference in your community and show the world that the childfree live very fulfilling lives.  Who knows who you might inspire?

Now, before we get into the all the different ways to celebrate you may want to join forces with childfree men and women  who want to get International Childfree Day the attention it rightfully deserves. Let’s be honest; most people will never have heard of this special day. It’s up to us to get the notice we so deserve.

We can go to The View’s Twitter and ask the ladies to talk about International Childfree Day. Tell them you watch the show and would like to have this day recognized.  After all, it is as important as any Mothers or Fathers Day. Right?  Who do you know that can help us? If there’s nobody, do it yourself. You’re important!

While you think about finding support for International Childfree Day here are some ways you can kick off your celebration:

• Send thank you cards to the people in your life who have supported your choice to be childfree.

• Send out notes to your childfree friends and family letting them know you’re happy for them.

• Write a letter to someone who hasn’t been supportive of your choice and let them know your life is great and that you forgive them.

• Have a festive dinner at your home with your loved ones.

• Spend the day at the beach with your friends.

• Join other childfree men and women for a Childfree Google Hangout with me.

• Go out for a nice breakfast.

• Write a poem about being childfree.

• Send your childfree partner/spouse/friend flowers.

• Plant your favorite tree to commemorate your decision to live childfree by choice.

• Read books about being childfree.

• Have a big party that lasts all night.

• Give yourself the gift of relaxation.

• Write a letter to yourself about what you want to accomplish in the next 5 years and put in an envelope with the date that you can open it.

Whatever you decide to do on International Childfree is up to you.  Make sure you do something that you love and spend a little time with the people who are most important to you.  That is one of the best formulas for a terrific celebration.

How will you be celebrating International Childfree Day?  Let us know in a comment below.

P.S. You can read the first 2 chapters of my childfree memoir for free.

Have you read this blog post about what Jillian Michaels said about living childfree by choice.  If we judge ourselves by what she said we *must* have a lot of growing up to do.  Read this blog post to find out more.

What did you think of the blog post?  Do people tell you that you’re selfish and immature because your childfree?  Do you know parents who were self and immature before they had kids and became model citizens after their first kid?

Let us know in a comment below.

In this heartfelt and very personal childfree blog post one childfree woman shares what it’s like to be mistaken for a Mom on Mother’s Day. It’s an interesting post and it shows you how 3 words can bring up years of emotion for some us.

Here is the link to this post.

What are your feeling on this post?  Have you had a similar experience?  Share your thoughts on being childfree in a comment below.

As a childfree person you’re often told that you’ll have regrets about your choice.  This childfree blog post puts an interesting spin on the subject and makes you feel happy to be childfree.

What do you think of this blog post?  What do you say to people who say you’ll regret your choice in the future?

You know I have been dropping hints about something very special for the childfree.  It’s time to share the secret.  You have the opportunity to nominate someone for International Childfree Woman and Man of the Year.  Isn’t this exiting?

On August 1, 1973, the non-profit organization, National Organization for Non-Parents (NON), celebrated Non-Parents Day by awarding a Female and Male National Non-Parent of the Year. Later known as the National Alliance for Optional Parenthood (NAOP), it existed from 1972-1982 with a mission to “educate the public on non-parenthood as a valid lifestyle option.”

40 years later, childfree writers and bloggers Laura Carroll, Patricia and Eric Pedraza-Nafziger, Amy and Lance Blackstone and I think it’s high time to resurrect this “Day,” now calling it International Childfree Day!

Today we’d like to announce August 1^st as International Childfree Day, and begin the call for nominations for the 2013 Childfree Woman and Man of the Year!

Here are the details:

Rules for Nominees:

1. They are decidedly childfree – they have no children by choice.

2. They are childfree people nominators know or are acquainted with personally or professionally.

3.  Self-nominations are also accepted.

How to Nominate:

Step 1

In less than 500 words, please answer these questions about your nominee:

1. What about your nominee as a person makes him/her a candidate for Childfree Woman/Man of the Year?

2. What about your nominee’s life makes him/her a candidate for Childfree Woman/ Man of the Year? For example, what accomplishments, contributions to others or the world are exemplary to award him/her Childfree Woman/Man of the Year?

3. How would you say your nominee has contributed to the acceptance of the childfree choice in society today?

Step 2

Email your answers, along with your nominee’s email address to confessionsofachildfreewoman@gmail.com.

Winner Selection:

Deadline for nomination submissions is July 15th.

The panel that will collect nominations and select the winners includes:

Laura Carroll-She is the author of The Baby Matrix: Why Freeing Our Minds From Outmoded Thinking About Parenthood & Reproduction Will Create a Better World and the internationally acclaimed Families of Two: Interviews with Happily Married Couples Without Children by Choice.  An expert on the childfree choice, for over the last decade she has tracked and researched the childfree choice, has run the top blog, La Vie Childfree, and has been featured on major media, including The Early Show, Good Morning America, national radio, international print and digital media.  Find Laura at: http://lauracarroll.com.

Marcia Drut-Davis: She is a retired ESL teacher and childfreedom pioneer. In 1973, she worked with Ellen Peck, founder of the National Organization for Non-Parents (NON), on the first Non-Parents Convention, and was President of the Long Island Chapter of NON for three years. In 1974, her interview on 60 Minutes about her childfree choice resulted in job loss, picketing and even death threats. At age 70, she authored her memoir, Confessions of a Childless Woman: A Life Spent Swimming Against the Mainstream. She remains a fierce opponent of pronatalism and supporter of those choosing childfreedom. Find Marcia at https://www.childfreereflections.com.

Laura Scott is the author of Two is Enough.  Her amusing and introspective narrative of the “Childless by Choice Project” tackles this question and more, revealing the process, the assumptions, the rationales, and the lifestyles of couples who have come to the conclusion that forever, or for now, “matching pairs beat a full house.”

Patricia Pedraza-Nafziger is an IT Professional in a fortune 50 aerospace company, an author, columnist, and childfree advocate for individuals who have made the choice not to procreate. She is the lead author of Being Fruitful Without Multiplying: Stories and Essays From around the World, and the Married No Kids Contributing Editor for BellaOnline – The Voice of Women.

Eric Nafziger works in Real Estate, Property Management, and Marketing, is an avid golfer, dog lover, and childfree guy. Eric collaborates ideas with Patricia on childfree articles for the Married No Kids site.

Married 27 years, with no kids, Eric and Patricia understand what it is like first hand to live a childfree lifestyle.

Amy Blackstone: She is a sociologist whose areas of expertise include childfree families, research methods, and workplace experiences. Amy is Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Maine. Amy has presented and published her work in a variety of venues, both popular and academic.

Lance Blackstone : His day job involves software consulting and wishing he didn’t have a day job. Lance is a tropical fish and scuba enthusiast and he blogs and guest blogs on being childfree from a guy’s perspective.
Amy and Lance have been married for over 18 years and are happily childfree. Together, they run the childfree blog we’re {not} having a baby.

I just read a childfree blog post about the happiness of being an Aunt.  Joys of Aunthood (Continued) is a very interesting and heartfelt post. What are your thoughts on it? Do you have a similar relationship with your nieces and nephews? Does being an Aunt or Uncle suit you or is there another myth of this title giving you lasting happiness and contentment?  Let’s face it, not all connections to any family member are ever guaranteed.