The Kids or Childfree Podcast

Keltie is joined by guest, Tina Martinez, for a conversation about Tina's journey to embracing her childfree choice — and why a simple and peaceful life without kids is more than enough. The two of them chat about: How Tina and her husband ultimately landed on the childfree decision, after trying to have kids. The often-overlooked perks of a romantic partnership without children. How Tina navigates her fears about ageing and companionship. The importance of community and support networks for childfree women – and how Tina is building these for herself, and other childfree women. The biggest myths and stereotypes about childfree women. About Tina Tina Martinez is a Food Producer at Good Housekeeping magazine with over 15 years of experience across recipe development, food styling, and culinary content production. Currently working in a test kitchen, she wears many hats—developing, writing, and testing recipes, styling food for photo shoots, and producing video content for social media. She began her career in restaurant kitchens before moving into teaching culinary classes, eventually transitioning into food styling for editorial, digital, and television platforms. Originally from New Jersey, Tina has spent the past 25 years living everywhere from Queens and Brooklyn to California and Washington, DC, before settling in Westchester with her husband. Outside the kitchen, she's passionate about fitness and staying active—you can find her running, weightlifting, hiking local trails, or exploring neighborhood breweries. As mentioned in the episode Find Tina on Instagram at instagram.com/the_saltgypsy Find her on TikTok at tiktok.com/@the_saltgypsy Her website is www.tinadegraff.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

Join Keltie as she speaks with pyschotherapist and researcher, Dr. Margo Lowy, about the concept of maternal ambivalence and the mixed emotions that accompany the experience of motherhood. They discuss: Why saying yes to motherhood means embracing the "both, and" What maternal ambivalence and being on the fence about kids have in common, and what we can learn from the former Why letting go and surrender are essential to the motherhood path The myth of the perfect decision (and perfect mother) ...and lots more. (2:17) Meet Margo and her work on motherhood ambivalence; (11:40) Duality of the Kids or Childfree decision & Margo's motherhood experience; (23:17) Mothering as an experience of continually letting go; (43:07) The freedom of no "right" decision About Dr. Lowy Dr. Margo Lowy is a psychotherapist and researcher whose work explores the emotional complexity of motherhood. She's the author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood and a contributor to Psychology Today. As mentioned in the episode Find Dr. Lowy online at drmargolowy.com Her Instagram is @drmargolowy She's on Facebook at facebook.com/drmargolowy Read her book, Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood Read the Pyschology Today piece by Dr. Margo Lowy Watch the French film, A Happy Event Get our free Kids or Childfree Book Guide 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 a brand-new season of the podcast with some of the topic takeaways from our series of On Demand classes — plus, details on a big sale! We'll explore: How the stories you're telling yourself about this decision are holding you back How cultural and societal expectations around the Kids or Childfree choice shape our desires and decisions How to navigate this decision when you and your partner are on a different page Why the key to considering life's hardships and this choice, is asking ourselves what makes life worth living The importance of exploring our personal relationship with regret when we're worried about regret As mentioned in the episode: Check out this week's On Demand Fan sale! Get our full collection of On Demand classes for $269. Here's the reel with Shan Boodram, congratulating Vanessa & Xander on their childfree choice. The On Demand classes mentioned in the episode include: Find Calm in the Storm (4:04) Other People (6:40) A Difference of Opinion (9:54) An Uncertain Future (12:31) Exploring the Fear of Regret (14:22) 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 speaks with therapist, Tonya Kelly, about what happens when you're childfree by choice...but your partner is a parent. Hear them discuss: How societal norms and family expectations clouded Tonya's Kids or Childfree choice. Tonya's journey to making her childfree decision, after years of being on the fence. How she navigated tough conversations with her mom about her decision not to have kids, especially as an only child. - The things that helped Tonya to cultivate greater confidence in her childfree choice. The challenges — and perks — of being married to someone who is a parent. How unusual and challenging it can be to be a step-mom who is childfree — and why it often feels like you don't fully fit in anywhere. (0:48) Meet Tonya and her Kids or Childfree decision (12:27) Advice for fence-sitters about outside pressure (18:07) Marriage, divorce, considering egg freezing, and re-marrying someone with a 16-year-old (34:22) Being a childfree step-mother (47:28) Tips for finding confidence in being childfree (56:34) Tonya's experience in the Confidently Childfree Group Intensive About Tonya: Tonya Kelly has a background in social work and is an owner of a private practice clinic in Ontario, Canada. She specializes in trauma treatment for first responders. She also works with individuals and couples to help them explore old patterns, heal from painful experiences and reconnect with their sense of self. She is deeply committed to her own healing journey and is passionate about cultivating a life that is rooted in inner peace, joy, and purpose. She spent over a decade on the fence about whether or not to have kids, shaped by her own childhood experiences, relationship changes and learning to trust her inner knowing. Mentioned in the episode: Find Tonya online at www.coretherapycentre.com And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/core.therapy.and.assessment/ Read Cheryl Strayed's The Ghost Ship That Didn't Carry Us. Hear these past The Kids or Childfree episodes that discuss egg freezing: Episode 53 with Sophia Seymour Episode 75 with Ruthie Ackerman Episode 72 with Dr. Amanda Adeleye __ 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

In this conversation, Keltie is joined by 32-year-old Alfonso Costas — a new dad from Spain, living in Munich with his German wife and their 14-month-old son. Hear Alfonso share: How he knew he wanted to be a dad — and the doubts he encountered along the way. Why he views fatherhood as an "invitation" — rather than a choice made due to pressure. The perspectives on parenthood that allow him to weather its challenges and difficulties. The important conversations he and his wife had to have before trying to conceive — and how they've balanced the responsibilities of raising their son. How he and his wife have navigated their different cultural backgrounds and decisions like where to live. Why he thinks its important for men to take paternity leave. The joy he's finding in parenthood so far. About Alfonso: Alfonso was born and raised in Spain. He moved to the USA to study at age 18, and then to Munich to work as a mechanical engineer at age 24. He's married to German wife with a Vietnamese background and they have a 14-month old son together. Mentioned in the episode: Find Alfonso on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/costasalfonso/ Join the Spring session of our Kids or Childfree Group Program: https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program __ 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

In this conversation, producer, sound designer, and creator of CBC Personally's Creation Myth podcast, Helena De Groot, shares her deeply personal journey of deciding to remain childfree. Hear Keltie & Helena discuss: The complex emotions and societal expectations surrounding the decision to have kids or remain childfree. Why the possibility of personal growth was one of the biggest factors pulling Helena toward the motherhood path. What she wishes she handled differently when discussing her desire to be childfree with her ex-husband. The conversation that finally helped solidify her childfree choice. How she grappled with the topic of meaning and her place in this world, without kids. (1:03) Meet Helena, her podcast, and her Kids or Childfree decision (28:30) Conversations with friends about the Kids or Childfree decision (37:32) Helena and her first husband's differing opinions about having kids (48:13) Convenience and connection, the danger of the term "childfree" (58:22) The advice that helped Helena find clarity (1:10:33) Meaning and purpose without kids Mentioned in this episode: Finding Helena online at www.helenadegroot.me Tune into the Creation Myth podcast on CBC Personally: https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/zkujNM Her Instagram is @helenavelikaja Discover Helena's other work: Poetry Off the Shelf: Every two weeks, Helena interviews a poet about their life and work. In Touch the Moon, is an interview with a highly original man who wrote a book about William Blake. In Pen Pals, a poet friend and her spent a summer exchanging voice messages, about aging and the death of his parents. In Glow in the Dark, she talked to a poet with ALS, 20 days before she died, then interviewed her best friend and her husband. Audiobook about Mary Oliver, titled Wild and Precious. 🔗 Join our upcoming Kids or Childfree Group Program: https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program About Helena: Helena de Groot is a producer and sound designer on many critically acclaimed, prize-winning podcasts and audiobooks, such as the New Yorker favorite Paris Review Podcast and New York Times selected Wild and Precious: An Ode to Mary Oliver, she also talks to writers and artists for the Poetry Foundation podcast Poetry Off the Shelf. Her latest show, Creation Myth, is an audio memoir and Tribeca Official Selection for CBC Personally where she asks the mother of all questions: do I want to have kids? __ 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

This week we're hosting our first-ever "guest podcast" episode featuring our recent conversation on Monica Cardenas' The Bad Mothers Podcast. Join Monica and I for a discussion about being a childfree dog mom. How does having a dog — and especially a puppy — help us frame our ideas about motherhood? As mentioned in the show: Get a ticket to join our upcoming "Pet Reflections" Kids or Childfree Support Session on March 18th: https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series Find Monica on Instagram: @monica_is_reading/ Tune in for the rest of The Bad Mothers Podcast and read Monica's Substack: https://monicacardenas.substack.com/podcast __ 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

In this episode, Dr. Jay Zigmont returns to the podcast to discuss the unique future planning needs of childfree individuals. He and Keltie chat about: The importance of having proper medical and financial directives and the necessity of a support team. The paperwork and planning documents every childfree person should have in place. Why relying on a family member to help you manage future estate and health concerns is usually a bad idea. The special considerations for estate planning that cater to those without kids. Legacy planning and the impact childfree individuals can make in their lives and communities. (0:22) Meet Dr. Jay and his project Childfree Trust (11:31) Estate & medical emergency planning for childfree people (24:34) Special challenges in documents for childfree people (29:10) How to think about aging as a childfree individual As mentioned in the show: Hear Jay's first appearance on the podcast in Episode 24: kidsorchildfree.com/podcast/episode/219886a3/24-dr-jay-zigmont-cfp-on-childfree-wealth-and-legacy Find Dr. Jay on Instagram: instagram.com/childfreewealth/ On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/childfree-wealth/ Find out more about Dr. Jay and Childfree Trust at childfreetrust.com Join our upcoming Confidently Childfree Support Session with Dr. Jay (happening on May 11th) here: https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series About Dr. Jay: Dr. Jay Zigmont is on a mission to help people without kids live their best lives, with the plan and finances to support it. He's a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Childfree Wealth Specialist® with Childfree Wealth®. In short, he's the go-to expert on navigating the financial road less traveled for people without kids. He's the author of The Childfree Guide to Life and Money and a cohost of the Childfree Life by Design podcast, where he drops expert knowledge with a dose of humor. Dr. Jay is a frequent contributor to top-tier media outlets, including Forbes, C-Span TheStreet, and the Wall Street Journal. __ 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

In this solo episode Keltie is tackling a frequent question she gets from fence-sitters: "I know what I want today — but wow do I know whether future me will regret my choice?" This episode gets into.. Why it's important to consider who we're making this decision for — our present or future self How to instill confidence that although you might change, there is a lot that will remain the same Why faith in our future self is essential to making a confident choice The importance of recognizing our inherent resilience in the face of future challenges and regrets How being intentional can help us cultivate trust that we're making the right decision (0:50) How do I trust that my future self will want the things that I think I want today? (2:15) A decision for my present self vs. future self (7:05) How to account for change (11:21) Cultivating self-trust 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

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 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 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