The transition from “couple” to “family of two” is all about changing your perspective.

I recently read an article in Real Simple magazine by Molly Peacock about being child-free. She talked about how when she and her husband first got married, they thought of themselves as a “couple.” But as the years went on, they began to realize they were far more than just a couple. They were a “family of two.”

So why wait until your 25th anniversary to make the paradigm shift? Why not start thinking of yourselves as a “family of two” right now?

A “family of two” implies that you are a complete unit just as you are, with a routine that involves getting the dog groomed, planning get-togethers, and having some quiet time for yourself – instead of soccer practice, ballet lessons, and homework help. This is the lifestyle you’ve chosen, so embrace it completely!

There is nothing wrong with deciding to remain child-free. In fact, knowing what you want out of life is not only courageous, it is responsible. For us, family means something different than it does to other people. It means focusing all of your love and attention on just one person, instead of splitting it up among many. For us, family is the person you fell in love with and decided to marry – whether it was decades ago, or just a few months.

As you start to think in these terms, you will truly accept there is no need for children in order to achieve the status of family.