Childless And Moving Onward

Embracing the Unwanted: Redefining Acceptance in a Childless Life

Today’s discussion centers on the concept of acceptance for women who are childless not by choice. I share my personal journey of redefining acceptance, explaining that it doesn’t mean giving up, but rather acknowledging your reality with self-compassion and honesty.
Through acceptance, you can discover new meaning and dreams beyond motherhood. This path allows you to find inner peace and a new purpose in life. Although this journey to acceptance is painful and far from easy, it ultimately helps you move forward and heal. Tune in to learn how to shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have.
Key Episode Takeaways:
Part of accepting childlessness means acknowledging your reality with honesty and compassion for yourself.
Acceptance empowers you to redirect your focus in life.
Our identity is not defined by childlessness.
Acceptance is not giving up on your hopes and dreams.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
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The Negativity of Positivity

Just like with many aspects of life, having too much of a good thing can be detrimental. This applies to positivity as well, often referred to as toxic positivity. Today we are exploring this concept and its impact on women who are childless not by choice. Excessively positive statements can minimize grief, create isolation, and hinder emotional healing.
I offer listeners tips on identifying and managing toxic positivity, both for those who are childless and for those seeking to support a family member or friend. It is important to acknowledge pain, set boundaries, and validate emotions to provide genuine support and facilitate healing.
Key Episode Takeaways:
There comes a point when too much positivity can become harmful. 
Some positive comments can feel dismissive and invalidate your pain.
Toxic positivity gets in the way of healing.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram

Healthcare Visits - A Little Thoughtfulness Would Go a Long Way

Many of us feel uneasy or anxious about visiting the doctor, but this discomfort is often worsened by the insensitivity and lack of awareness about involuntary childlessness. Today, we will be discussing some personal experiences and observations of how women without children encounter insensitivity and misconceptions from healthcare providers.
Unfortunately there is a significant lack of understanding within the medical community about the emotional and physical impacts of infertility and pregnancy loss. I am offering a few tips for childless women on how to advocate for themselves in medical settings. There is an immense need for healthcare workers to show empathy and sensitivity when discussing reproductive status.
Key Episode Takeaways:- Compassionate and empathetic communication is sadly often missing in healthcare.- Examples of common insensitivities and misconceptions faced by childless women during healthcare visits.- It is ok to advocate for yourself.
Steps to Overcome Self Doubt and Feel Worthy When Being Childless Isn't by Choice Guide
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram

Does This Mean You’re Not Part of the Woman’s Club?

In this episode of Childless and Moving Onward, I delve into the social exclusion faced by childless women, sharing my own personal experiences. Childless women frequently find themselves treated as outsiders in both social and professional settings, leading to feelings of isolation and judgment.
The pervasive societal belief that motherhood is integral to womanhood often results in childless women feeling inadequate. Part of this is due to the fact that many social gathering discussions are often centered around motherhood. I provide some tips to help combat these feelings of isolation.
Key Episode Takeaways:
Feelings of isolation and inadequacy are common in women who are childless not by choice.
Social gathering discussions are often centered around motherhood and children.
The constant exposure to motherhood's idealization can leave childless women feeling less accomplished.
Childless not by choice women often experience ongoing grief.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.

The Things People Say: I Want to Say F-You

Today we are discussing the tendency people have to ask intrusive and personal questions about women’s fertility status. Such questions can cause people significant pain and awkwardness. Often, people asking these questions are completely oblivious to the discomfort they are causing.
Questions like this cross personal boundaries in so many ways. Therefore, I am giving you some tips and strategies for handling intrusive questions when they arise. One of these tips is setting boundaries and communicating those boundaries to others. I also encourage those who ask such questions  to reflect on their impact and urge you to consider more meaningful and considerate conversations.
Key Episode Takeaways:
Asking about someone's fertility status is never ok!
Intrusive fertility questions can trigger pain and conflict in people's lives.
Boundaries are healthy, not selfish.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.

Do You Have to Be a Mom to Be Capable?

Navigating life without children has its own unique challenges, including facing stereotypes and negative assumptions from society. One such misconception, which I came across on social media, is the belief that women without children are less capable than those with children. However, empathy, problem-solving, and other positive attributes are not exclusive to mothers.
It is important that we recognize the diverse experiences and contributions of all women and try to combat the stereotypes that depict childless women as less capable. By fostering open dialogue on this issue, I hope to help shift societal perceptions.
Key Episode Takeaways:
None of us is less capable because we are not mothers.
The contributions that women who don't have children make to society are so frequently overlooked or undervalued. 
Fertility status doesn't play a role in a woman's value or in a woman's abilities.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.

Unheard Grief: Understanding the Pain of Involuntary Childlessness

Today I am addressing the often misunderstood concept of disenfranchised grief associated with involuntary childlessness. This type of grief occurs when a loss isn’t openly acknowledged or socially validated. I will explore how the lack of societal recognition and support makes this grief particularly unique and challenging.
By exploring the specific difficulties faced by individuals dealing with involuntary childlessness, I will provide strategies for coping with the grief and highlight the importance of self-compassion and seeking professional help. My aim is to provide empathy, validation and guidance for women navigating the path of involuntary childlessness in this episode.
Key Episode Takeaways:
Disenfranchised grief is a type that occurs when somebody experiences a loss that is not openly acknowledged or socially validated.
Pain from involuntary childlessness is unique because it is chronic. 
Everyone's journey with this grief is unique. There's no one size fits all to dealing with it.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
When Being Childless Isn’t By Choice Facebook Group
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.

Echoes of Silence: Navigating the Loneliness

Women who are childless by circumstance and not by choice face unique challenges on a daily basis, but especially around Mother’s Day. This holiday can accentuate the pain and isolation felt by women in these scenarios. So today I am sharing some of my personal experiences, reflections, and observations of how and why being childless not by choice can feel so lonely.
I am offering insights on how to navigate this sense of loneliness, emphasizing the importance of community support, reevaluating life's priorities, and finding fulfillment outside of traditional family structures. I encourage you to use your experiences of grief and loneliness as opportunities for personal growth and to discover new paths to meaning and satisfaction in life.
Key Episode Takeaways: 
The loneliness experienced by those who are childless not by choice can be really profound.
Involuntary childlessness can lead to a sense of disconnection, even from those you are closest to.
There is a strength and resilience that comes with these unique challenges.
Being childless is not your identity. It doesn’t define you.
Grief and loneliness of childlessness are incredibly challenging, but they can also be transformative.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.

“Oh Boohoo, You Poor Thing” - Really??

As a woman experiencing involuntary childlessness, I have encountered numerous negative reactions due to my situation. In this episode, I am addressing the common misconceptions, insensitive reactions, and societal pressures experienced by women in similar circumstances. I’ll dive into why these hurtful comments and reactions are so common.
When faced with these insensitive comments, it is vital to know your worth and understand that your pain is valid, no matter your circumstance. I strive to shed light on the pain, challenges, and resilience of those who are childless not by choice. By doing so, we can promote empathy, and support for individuals on this challenging journey. I hope to create a more inclusive and compassionate world where every story is acknowledged and every journey is honored.
Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush
Steps to Overcome Self Doubt and Feel Worthy When Being Childless Isn't by Choice
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.

No, We Don’t “Get Over It”

Being told to "just get over it" can be incredibly painful and minimizes our grief and pain. Unfortunately, this phrase is frequently directed towards women experiencing involuntary childlessness. Statements like this not only fail to provide support but also invalidate one's feelings and impede the healing process.
In this episode, I discuss several factors that make moving past childlessness challenging, if not impossible, including societal pressure, lack of closure and triggers. Additionally, I conclude with advice for women navigating this challenge, offering suggestions on how to handle dismissive attitudes and manage emotional responses effectively.
Key Episode Takeaways: 
If you resist emotions, they tend to grow and cause more stress.
Involuntary childlessness is a loss, and the pain from that is valid.
There is not a clear sense of closure when it comes to involuntary childlessness.
It is ok to grieve the loss of the future you had planned.
Find full episode notes and transcript HERE.
Learn more or book a free, no-obligation call to talk about what a coaching experience could look like for you HERE.
Listen on YouTube, find me on Facebook or Instagram.