ENJOYING CHILDFREE LIFE

In the September issue, Amy Lawrenson opened up about being childfree by choice. This struck a chord with many of you, including Debbie Elsdon. ‘I feel thoroughly in awe and empowered by this article!’ she wrote. ‘I am 40 years old, a teacher with a promising and fulfilling career, married to my soulmate and yet in constant doubt about having children. I have always known that I have no desire to have my own children but I increasingly lie about this when people ask. I struggle to admit that I just don’t want children and I love my life as it is. I like children, I love teaching other people’s children and I adore spending time with my nieces – although I am happy to hand them back to my sister afterwards. I love travelling, holidays, peace and quiet and freedom. Yet I never fully admit this when people ask. And they do ask, under the assumption that they can, and that they can then pass comment.

‘So much of Amy’s article was aligned with my own evaluation of whether to have children. Ultimately, I would have children only through fear of being alone when I become elderly. This would be so selfish. If I did have children, I would want them to live their lives so fully and freely that they would not be taking care of me. I have full respect for all parents and their choices, I see the reality and the challenges of parenthood each day along with the rewards. I just chose a different path and, upon reading this article, I feel really quite liberated and much less guilty!’

Reader Kathy Huddle wrote, ‘Thank you, Amy, for flying the flag for happy childfree women!