What I am here to do is share is my belief in the inherent value of womens lives outside of the web of our personal relationships, and the beauty of a lifetime with a partner built on a sense of personal commitment, joy, and a common outlook on the world.
I believe that every choice we make is a trade-off: while my husband and I have missed some of the wonderful experiences of having kids, we have had beautiful times that would not have been possible if we had kids. We would not trade these for the world!
I am a writer, visual artist and teacher. I practice my art and have taught art and art education at the college level for many years. I am now back in school pursuing a degree in my greatest passion - writing. I am completing two books: a nonfiction book about the lives of volunteers impacted by their work in animal shelters, and a set of fictional stories based on people I have met volunteering at various the nonprofits that populate our aging post-industrial city. I am very excited that one of these will be published in a literary journal this month!
As a teacher, I have been impressed with women returning to school after the kids have left home, longing to find and fulfill that individual glow of creativity and excitement they felt before caring for others became a priority. I think it is that stirring spark of individuality and creativity that makes every life valuable - regardless of whether we choose to reproduce or not.
I am not a psychologist, but hopefully this will be a safe and supportive place to discuss the challenges and joys of our lives without children. Increasingly, the media and social pressures try to tell us that our lives only have value in relationships to offspring. Of course, I say; "no way!" Stay strong and believe in your choices, and whether you have definitely decided to not have kids or if you are still on the fence, I hope you find this a caring place in which to share your stories, ideas, and concerns.
I live in southeastern New England with my very patient husband and ever-growing pack of dogs.
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