In the past several days, I have been researching and gathering information about couples who are childfree / childless (term used according to personal preference).

Some have chosen this way of life, for various reasons. Some have had circumstances eliminate their options for having children of their own—infertility, married late in life, parenthood not desired by both partners, etc.

If you do not have children of your own and do not anticipate ever becoming a parent, what are your reasons for being kid-free? Was this an overnight decision, or a long-term process of deciding? What emotions did you experience while deciding?

Also, how do you occupy your free time and how do you find fulfillment apart from parenthood?

I’m asking because I’m in my mid-30’s, I’m in a long-term, committed relationship, and I’m having to come to terms about living childfree by choice and circumstance.

Topics: parenthood, family, marriage, Infertility, fulfillment, childfree, childless