The Kids or Childfree Podcast

Keltie is joined by freelance writer and author of the book, Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward, Gemma Hartley. Their discussion explores... What terms like emotional labor, mental load, and invisible labor actually mean. The interplay of these things within partnerships, and in particular, the decision to have kids. Why having children exacerbates existing imbalances in relationships. The impact of societal expectations on women, and how social conditioning causes women to shoulder more emotional labor. Gemma's personal parenthood journey, as a mother of three, and how she and her partner corrected their emotional labor imbalance and built a more equitable partnership. ____ (2:05) Meet Gemma & her Kids or Childfree decision (8:43) (4:32) Defining emotional labor, mental load, and invisible labor (11:16) Tips for navigating an emotional labor imbalance & parenthood (23:20) How Gemma and her husband built a more equitable partnership (36:36) Mental load with multiple kids (46:04) Solo parenthood ____ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Gemma's Instagram ▸ https://www.instagram.com/gemmalhartley/ Gemma's Substack, Angry Woman ▸ https://gemmahartley.substack.com Gemma's first book, Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward ▸ https://bookshop.org/p/books/fed-up-emotional-labor-women-and-the-way-forward-gemma-hartley/933f0f3a89b3cb4b?ean=9780062856463&next=t Order Gemma's forthcoming book, No One Loves An Angry Woman ▸ https://bit.ly/3Z57qWU ____ ABOUT GEMMA Gemma Hartley is a longtime freelance writer, writing coach, yoga instructor and most notably author of Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward. She has spoken on the topic of the mental load and emotional labor around the world, from corporate conferences to festivals at the Sydney Opera House. Her hope is to create work that encourages a more equitable world in which invisible labor is valued and supported by both personal partners and public policy alike. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

Keltie is speaking with childfree trailblazer, Marcia Drut-Davis, about the ups and downs of her life without children. They discuss... Marcia's public "coming out" of her childfree choice on the national TV show "60 Minutes" in 1974 — and the backlash that came with it. The stigma surrounding the childfree choice and the emotional toll it can take on those who choose it. Marcia's friendships with moms — and what has been key to these relationships surviving the different seasons of parenthood. The importance of young people in her life — and how you can cultivate intergenerational relationships. The profound beauty that can be found in life's simple, and seemingly insignificant moments, and how these can be a source of immense joy. Live as an 83-year-old childfree woman ____ (1:58) Meet Marcia and her Kids or Childfree decision (9:06) Announcing her childfree decision on "60 Minutes" (16:56) Tips for telling family & friends that you're not having kids (25:25) Community across generations (39:04) Being childfree in your 80s (46:15) Advice for people on the fence ____ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Marcia's Instagram ▸ https://www.instagram.com/childfree_guru/ Read Marcia's two books: Confessions of a Childfree Woman ▸ https://bookshop.org/p/books/confessions-of-a-childfree-woman-a-life-spent-swimming-against-the-mainstream-marcia-drut-davis/adbfbde18db5546e?ean=9780615819235&next=t What?! You Don't Want Children? ▸ https://bookshop.org/p/books/what-you-don-t-want-children-understanding-rejection-in-the-childfree-lifestyle-marcia-drut-davis/99ca98586b6991e2?ean=9781646693504&next=t ____ ABOUT MARCIA Marcia Drut-Davis is an American author, speaker, and longtime pioneer of the childfree-by-choice movement who first gained national attention in 1974 when she publicly explained on 60 Minutes why she and her then-husband didn't want children, a decision that cost her teaching job and led to intense backlash. She went on to lead the first chapter of the National Organization for Non-Parents, write influential books including Confessions of a Childfree Woman and What?! You Don't Want Children?, and help normalize childfree lifestyles. In recognition of her impact, she received a Lifetime Childfree Contribution Award and continues to be celebrated as a mentor and advocate for choice and acceptance of voluntary non-parenthood. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

We're kicking off Season 7 of the podcast with financial experts and co-authors of the book "Money Together," Heather and Douglas Boneparth. This conversation explores: - The often-overlooked financial considerations that come with the decision to have children. - Douglas and Heather's own financial hurdles when they first considered parenthood, including over $300,000 in student loan debt. - Why emotional readiness can often take precedence over financial calculations — even when "the math doesn't math". - The critical conversations you and your partner need to be having before having kids. - Why "contribution" goes far beyond the financial, and how to navigate the topic of contribution when one or both parents steps away from or back from paid work to raise children. ____ (10:33) Financial planning & family planning (25:03) Tips for financial planning for parents (36:40) Division of labor (50:15) Combining finances vs. maintaining separate finances ____ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Heather;s Instagram ▸ https://www.instagram.com/averagejoelle Douglas's Instagram ▸ https://www.instagram.com/dougboneparth Do Money online ▸ https://domoneytogether.com Douglas and Heather's "The Joint Account" Newsletter ▸ https://www.readthejointaccount.com ____ ABOUT HEATHER & DOUGLAS BONEPARTH Douglas Boneparth, is the founder of Bone Fide Wealth, a wealth management firm in New York City. Recognized as one of the nation's most influential financial advisors, Douglas serves on the advisory councils for CNBC and Investopedia. He has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, and more. He is also a CFP Board Ambassador for New York. Douglas received his B.S. from the University of Florida and his M.B.A. from NYU's Stern School of Business. When he's not making jokes on the internet, he enjoys brewing coffee, though he can do both at the same time. Heather Boneparth is used to wearing many hats. On her first maternity leave, she co-authored the couple's first book on helping millennials achieve financial freedom. Since then, she has become a rising voice at the intersection of love, money, and family. She has written for CNBC, theSkimm, Insider, Scary Mommy, and more. As a lawyer, she spent more than a decade in the insurance industry before joining the family business as Bone Fide Wealth's director of business and legal affairs. She received her B.S. from the University of Florida and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Heather and Douglas met in college and consider themselves Gators for life. They now live in New Jersey with their two daughters. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie Maguire discusses some of the key themes and insights that have come up in her private and group coaching sessions during Season 6 of The Kids or Childfree Podcast, as well as episodes from Season 6 that address these topics. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 👉 (1:57) Start with the clarity you DO have ▸ Lisa Sibbett on a "Childful" Life as an Auntie https://youtu.be/3jx_vDnN80U ▸ Lisa Patterson on Reinventing Parenting Gender Norms https://youtu.be/RIBohGjaQGc ▸ On Demand: Discover Your Desires https://keltiemaguire.thrivecart.com/discover-your-desires-on-demand/ 👉 (9:37) Your value with or without children ▸ Laura Carroll on the Influence of Pronatalism on Your Kids or Childfree Choice https://youtu.be/hbcBNrDRCWA ▸ Zoë Noble on Cultivating Childfree Community https://youtu.be/LG66KPG2nzo ▸ On Demand: Other People https://keltiemaguire.thrivecart.com/other-people-on-demand/ 👉 (18:58) Deciding from the place you are currently ▸ Carrie Hauskens on a Childfree Life After Loss https://youtu.be/ZAy40xWlFjw ▸ Lia Love Avellino, LCSW on Grieving Your Past Life in Motherhood https://youtu.be/VSyvll_I94c ▸ On Demand: Navigating Difficult Emotions https://keltiemaguire.thrivecart.com/navigating-difficult-emotions-on-demand/ 👉 (29:41) Accept & embrace the unknown ▸ Ask Anne with Childfree 91-Year-Old Anne Wennhold https://youtu.be/EalIknfBD9U ▸ Katie Palazzo on Life as an Adventurer Turned Stay-At-Home Mom https://youtu.be/yZaVidB4WDQ ▸ On Demand: An Uncertain Future https://keltiemaguire.thrivecart.com/an-uncertain-future-on-demand/ _ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this conversation, Keltie Maguire is joined by We Are Childfree founder, Zoë Noble, for a conversation that's a celebration of the childfree choice. Hear them discuss: The inspiration behind We Are Childfree and why Zoë personally chose the childfree path How friendships — and especially those with parents — can evolve over time How to cultivate childfree community The myths surrounding aging without children The importance of advocating for a more inclusive and understanding childfree community (1:05) Meet Zoë, We Are Childfree, and her Kids or Childfree decision (18:19) Zoë's childfree decision with her partner James (26:15) Childfree community and friendships (37:37) Aging while childfree (46:33) Living an ordinary or extraordinary life without kids (1:00:28) Celebrating the childfree choice As mentioned in the show: Find We Are Childfree online at wearechildfree.com. Join We Are Childfree'a private community here: wwearechildfree.com/join We Are Childfree is on social media at: Instagram at instagram.com/weare.childfree TikTok at tiktok.com/@wearechildfree YouTube at youtube.com/c/WeareChildfree Tune into the We Are Childfree podcast: wearechildfree.com/podcasts About Zoë: Zoe Noble is a photographer and the founder of We are Childfree, a global movement celebrating childfree lives. Through portraits, podcasts and workshops, she works to destigmatise non-parenthood and build inclusive communities where childfree people feel seen, supported and empowered to live authentically. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this conversation, Keltie sits down with transracial adoptee, author, and advocate, Melissa Guida-Richards, for a conversation about adoption, and the considerations prospective adoptive parents need to make. They discuss: Melissa's personal experience as an adoptee, and why it's critical that we listen to and learn from adoptees. The key question prospective adoptive parents need to ask themselves before they adopt. The myth that adopting an infant offers that child — and its adoptive parents — a "fresh start." Why adoption agencies who encourage people to adopt outside of their adoption preferences, can be problematic. The different kinds of adoption, and the respective practical and ethical considerations that must be made. (0:35) Meet Melissa, her kids or childfree decision, & her experience being adopted (10:54) Questions& considerations before adopting (18:41) Identifying adoption preferences, adoption & race (32:10) Adoption after infertility (40:17) Types of adoption As mentioned in the show: Find Melissa on Instagram at @adoptee_thoughts Her website is www.adopteethoughts.com Purchase Melissa's book and it's accompanying workbook, What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: adopteethoughts.com/books For adoption resources, check out adoptionsupport.org (C.A.S.E) and adopteementorship.org. About Melissa: Melissa Guida-Richards is a transracial adoptee, author, and advocate whose work explores child welfare, adoption influencers ethics and reform. She is the author of What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption and she's had her writing and interviews featured on national platforms including NBC, Good Day LA and Tamron Hall. She is currently working on her next book with her agent, Kat Kerr, from Donald Maass Literary Agency. You can find her @adoptee_thoughts or AdopteeThoughts.com. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie is joined by past guest, Anne Wennhold — a 91-year-old who is childfree by choice — for a special "Ask Anne" Q&A. Keltie and Anne discuss... Why the 70s and 80s were the best years of Anne's life. Why Anne often finds it difficult relating to other people her age. How we can handle the difficulties and challenges that inevitably will arise in our lives. Anne's secret to maintaining friendships with parents. How Anne has navigated seeing her friends and loved ones die. Perspectives on who to leave your possessions and money to when you die as a childfree person. (0:52) Meet Anne (6:40) Aging & care later in life (16:33) Thriving in her 70s and 80s (38:40) Managing your assets & estate as a childfree person (43:06) Coping with loss of friends and loved ones (52:55) Maintaining community & friendships with parents As mentioned in the show: Listen to Anne's first appearance on the podcast in Episode 62. Here's the Conscious Eldering blog post that Anne wrote which we discussed. About Anne: Here's Anne in her words: "I live alone in northern New Jersey. I was widowed at an early age, have no children by choice. My chosen family is scattered about the USA and available by phone and Zoom. At 90 years old, I am focused on working with elders who are interested in continuing to grow as human and spiritual beings, and sharing with them all aspects of living to an older age including having children or not." ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this episode, Keltie is joined by friend, Lisa Patterson, who shares how her and her partner are navigating parenting roles in a way that goes against traditional norms. Hear Keltie and Lisa discuss... How Lisa made the decision to become a parent, despite it not having been a part of her life's "success criteria" How she and her partner have communicated about and negotiated their respective parenting roles The way others have responded to Lisa and Andy's role reversal of "primary" and "secondary" parent The perks of raising a child outside of the U.S. The tension between and trouble fitting the all-or-nothing categories of "mom" vs. "career woman". (1:59) Meet Lisa & her Kids or Childfree decision (13:12) Defining Primary Parent & Secondary Parent roles (23:48) Fitting her child into her life & routines (29:20) Navigating the "shoulds" of parenthood (34:33) Being one and done; having an only child (45:30) Career Woman vs. Mom As mentioned in the show Find Lisa on Instagram at instagram.com/captlisann About Lisa Lisa Patterson is an outdoor enthusiast, tech nerd, vinophile and working mom. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this solo episode, Keltie shares recent musings, insights, and reflections about her choice to stay childfree. She's sharing... How her and Chris's aging parents' needs are intersecting with their decision not to have kids. The changing seasons of friendships, and how things ebb and flow with and without kids in the picture. How she personally feels about legacy and the concept of "ancestral flow". What she's enjoying and appreciating most about her childfree life lately. (2:57) Caring for aging parents as a childfree couple (12:45) Planning for her own aging process as a childfree person (18:09) The challenges of caregiving (22:55) The ebb and flow of friendships with parent friends & childfree friends (28:33) Legacy and the concept of "ancestral flow" as a childfree person (34:38) Current highlights of childfree living As mentioned in the show: Listen to the Death, Sex, and Money: To Have Kids or Not Have Kids podcast episode. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend

In this latest podcast episode, Keltie Maguire speaks with Helen Taylor — feminist, retired university professor, and writer — about her choice to live a childfree life and her new memoir, Childless by Choice: The Meaning and Legacy of a Childfree Life. Keltie and Helen discuss: Helen's personal journey of childfree living, including the influences that shaped her decision. The challenges of choosing the childfree path — and the freedoms it has afforded her. Helen's abortion experience in early adulthood, and whether she ever thinks about the child she could have had. How life without children can lead to deeper adult relationships and friendships. The societal stigmas surrounding childlessness, and the difficulties and blessings of being childfree at age 77 The role that regret, meaning, and legacy play for Helen, as a woman without children. (1:46) Meet Helen and her Kids or Childfree decision (10:50) Making the childfree choice 50 years ago, without childfree role models (20:10) Helen's abortion when she was 19 (29:44) Maternal relationships Helen has had (35:22) Pros and cons of childfree living; navigating regret and comparison (47:15) Being childfree in her 70s As mentioned in the show Find Helen online at www.helen-taylor.co.uk She's on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/helentaylor67.bsky.social Find Helen at the following upcoming events: helen-taylor.co.uk/events About Helen Helen Taylor has published books on women's writing, American southern culture, and women fiction readers. Her latest much-acclaimed work is Why Women Read Fiction: The Stories of Our Lives. Her best-known works focus on popular writing and culture: Scarlett's Women: Gone With the Wind and its Female Fans, The Daphne du Maurier Companion, and Circling Dixie: Contemporary Southern Culture through a Transatlantic Lens. Her new book is Childless by Choice: The Meaning and Legacy of a Child-free Life. She taught English and American literature at three universities – West of England, Warwick and Exeter, where she was Head of English and is now Emeritus Professor. She has published widely on the literature and culture of the American South, as well as British and American women's writing. For many years, she has been a Chair, Curator and participant in many literary festivals, including Bath, Cheltenham, Oxford, Fowey, Budleigh Salterton and Clifton, and she was the first Director of the Liverpool Literature Festival. She is currently writing a book on Daphne du Maurier for the series 'Writers and Their Works'. She lives in Bristol. ____ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources CONNECT ONLINE 💻 Website ▸ http://kidsorchildfree.com 📸 Instagram ▸ http://instagram.com/kidsorchildfree ⏰ Tiktok ▸ https://tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree 📽️ YouTube ▸ https://www.youtube.com/@KidsorChildfree 👉 Brought to you by Keltie Maguire, Clarity Coach ▸ http://keltiemaguire.com Love what you're hearing? 💕 Subscribe | Like | Comment | Share with a friend