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Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Shop items from our Dink Yourself segment. Today, we’re talking to the mind behind the Instagram account Kids or Childfree. Keltie Maguire is a Clarity Coach, and offers coaching, workshops, and a podcast dedicated to helping women navigate one of life's biggest and most underserved decisions: whether or not to become a parent. Now based in Germany, Keltie came to this work through her own uncertainty. In our conversation we’ll talk about what helped her feel good in her own choice, what to expect from her workshops, plus: we’ll ask her what the deal is with men. TRIPS: Christmas Markets 2026!!!GET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch!Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod.Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.

Is Love Is Blind accidentally telling a regretful parents story?In this solo episode of the Regretful Parents series, Erika dives into the viral Reddit discussion about Love Is Blind Season 6 and the controversial engagement between Emma and Mike — specifically their major disagreement about having children.From pronatalist pressure to “you’d make a great mother” propaganda, this episode breaks down:Why you should NEVER “convince yourself” to have a childThe red flags in Emma and Mike’s engagementThe moment when Emma’s sister admitted she regrets having kids (and why the internet shamed her for it)Transracial adoption trauma and identity strugglesMedical concerns, genetic testing, and reproductive autonomyItalian family expectations & cultural pressure to have grandchildrenWhy marriage is about compromising paint colors — not parenthoodHave you been watching Love Is Blind this season? What did you think about Emma’s sister’s honesty? Can a relationship survive when partners disagree about kids? Drop your thoughts in the comments.MORE FROM USWebsite: https://www.dinkypod.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/dinkypod Keywords:regretful parents, regretful motherhood, Love Is Blind season 6, Emma and Mike Love Is Blind, childfree by choice, motherhood regret, pro natalism, transracial adoptee, adoption trauma, reality TV analysis, parenting pressure, women and reproductive choice, childfree women, regretful mom story, Netflix Love Is Blind recapBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.

What happens when parenting regret doesn’t go away… it just evolves?In this episode, Erika is joined by fellow childfree girlie Abby Porter (aka z00mie, aka “the girl with the list”) to unpack a brand-new post from a parent whose regret has shifted from newborn exhaustion to something much heavier: existential anxiety, fear about the future, and the pressure of shaping a child’s entire life.We discuss: • Why regret can become more philosophical as kids grow• The crushing pressure parents feel to “not mess up” their children• Anxiety about AI, social media, and the modern world kids are growing up in• The myth that motherhood comes naturally• Why some people realize the realities of parenting too late• How comparison culture and mommy influencers make parenting harder• Whether thinking deeply about parenthood BEFORE kids could prevent regretTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro + Meet Abby Porter01:00 How parenting regret changes over time03:00 Fear of traumatizing your kids (even if you’re a good parent)05:00 Generational patterns, anxiety, and breaking cycles07:00 Parenting anxiety about the future, AI, and safety09:00 “Philosophical garbage” — unpacking that take12:00 When motherhood isn’t what you expected14:00 The myth that parenting comes naturally16:00 Social media, mommy influencers, and comparison18:00 Kids, screens, and the “iPad generation”21:00 Therapist advice: stop spiraling or think deeper?23:00 Why these conversations matter BEFORE having kids24:50 Comment reactions + final thoughtsFOLLOW ABBY PORTERYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@z00mie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@z00mieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/z00mi.e/ MORE FROM USWebsite: https://www.dinkypod.com/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/dinkypod regretful parents podcast, parenting regret discussion, motherhood reality, childfree podcast, parenting mental health, motherhood expectations, modern parenting struggles, should I have kids, honest parenting talk, parenting anxiety, raising kids today, social media parenting pressure, AI future kidsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.

In this episode, Kristen and Erika dive into another brutally honest story from the Regretful Parents series — this time from a 39-year-old single mother by choice who spent thousands on fertility treatment… and now says she feels trapped, broke, constantly sick, and deeply regretful.If you’ve ever felt pressure from society, family, media, or your “biological clock” — this episode is for you.We’re talking about:The reality of being a single mom by choiceFertility treatment expectations vs. realityPostpartum depression & long-term mental health strugglesWhy parents say “it’s worth it” (even when it’s not)The myth of “you’ll have so much support”Constant illness after daycareWhy society pushes women toward marriage & motherhoodDisney, fairy tales, and lifelong conditioningMarriage propaganda & pronatalist cultureWhy antidepressants are often recommended to struggling parentsAnd the uncomfortable truth: what if you simply don’t enjoy parenting?Subscribe for MoreNew episodes weekly on:Regretful parents storiesChildfree lifeMarriage realitiesWomen opting out of traditional pathsFinancial & emotional freedom without kidsLike, comment, and share if this episode resonated with you.Learn more about Dinky: https://www.dinkypod.com Support the show on Patreon for bonus content: https://patreon.com/dinkypodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.

Want more exclusive content from Dinky? Join the Patreon! Today, we’re talking about Project 2026. Two years ago, we covered everything you needed to know about Project 2025, the dystopian right-wing plan from the Heritage Foundation that was largely considered the blueprint for the Trump administration’s first year back in office. But the Heritage Foundation didn’t stop there — no, their nightmare for America knows no bounds. So today, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about Project 2026, their new plans for chaos and destruction. SOURCES:Project 2025 architects lay out 2026 policy visionHow much of Project 2025 has actually been accomplished this year?TRIPS:Artsy Adventure In Vietnam With ErikaLavender Dreams & Riviera Nights With ErikaGET MORE FROM DINKY:Treat yourself to new merch! Wanna get your finances in order? Use our link to sign up for a FREE 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) and support the show. Wanna connect with us on social media? You can find us on Substack, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @dinkypod. Follow us on YouTube.If you have a question or comment, email us at dinky@dinkypod.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.

This one has a twist ending!In this episode of the Regretful Parents series, Erika and Kristen react to a Reddit post titled “I genuinely hate my baby.” What starts as a familiar story about parenting regret, sleep deprivation, and postpartum mental health quickly turns into total chaos when the hosts realize the post wasn’t written by a mother — but by a first-time father (FTF).This episode dives deep into the realities of new parent burnout, baby sleep training, cry it out (CIO) methods, and the crushing isolation that comes with being an expat parent with no support system. The Reddit post describes a 33-year-old parent with a 4.5-month-old baby who hasn’t slept more than two hours at a time, leading to severe mental health struggles, weight loss, emotional breakdowns at work, and intense regret over becoming a parent.Along the way, Erika and Kristen unpack:The emotional toll of sleep deprivation and newborn parentingWhether sleep training actually works or causes harmWhy parenting forums are obsessed with acronyms (FTF, CIO, PLS, TCB… seriously, why?)The differences in how mothers vs fathers are treated when they struggle mentallyHow parental regret is discussed (or ignored) onlineWhy so many overwhelmed parents turn to churches, daycare, or community support just to surviveAnd how being child-free offers a radically different perspective on parenting cultureThis episode blends dark humor, brutal honesty, and social commentary while exploring topics like postpartum depression (PPD), parenting expectations, gender roles, and the myth that having children automatically brings fulfillment.If you’re interested in:regretful parentsnew parent mental healthbaby sleep trainingparenting regret storieschild-free commentaryReddit parenting storiesfirst time father strugglespostpartum depression discussions…this episode is for you.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations about regret and choosing a childfree life.Join our childfree community: patreon.com/dinkypodTake a trip with us: https://trovatrip.com/host/profiles/dinky-wxarg Learn more about our podcast: dinkypod.com Love ya. Don’t get pregnant.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dinky--5953015/support.