Guest Author - Previous BellaOnline Editor
Recently a producer from “The Wright Stuff,” a popular daytime television show in the UK, contacted me because they were working on a segment exploring the child free lifestyle.
I sent out a newsletter asking for people who would be interested in appearing on the show to contact me. Lisa, a Married No Kids reader, responded and was chosen to appear on the show! (Incidentally, I never give out personal information – instead, I gave Lisa the producer's email to contact herself.)
After her appearance, Lisa and I talked about what it was like:
Q: How did you feel representing the child free community on national TV in your country?
A: It was great. I felt really proud to be having my say for the UK Childfree! Its a good show too - on a main UK channel across the whole nation.
Q: For people who don’t know, what is “The Wright Stuff”?
A: Its sort of a media / debating / talk show that's on at 9 am each day. I do watch it whenever I'm working from home. The host (Matthew) happens to be a childfree man, who always has strong views on any kiddy subject, so I was always a fan.
Q: Who else was on the show?
A: I was on with another childfree woman from the UK, Angela. She had more of a story in that she was sterilized - but it took her a 10 year fight through her twenties to get the decision agreed. She's 42 now and has never looked back. She's married too.
Q: What was the segment about?
A: The subject was “What’s wrong with not wanting kids?” The host interviewed us both for our views, then the panel (of chosen celebs) has their say. I focused on the fact that I had never wanted kids for as long as I can remember - and the fact that I recall prams and dolls being forced on me as a child which I didn't want. I wanted bikes and cars etc. I corrected them on the fact that I had not had to give it much thought over the years, that it was a core part of who I am.
Q: Why have you decided not to have kids?
A: As well as it being biological, it was also observational with me - I look at how people’s lives work and my observations lead me to believe that there's nothing about family life I want - e.g. the stress and worry and everything from pregnancy, birth, nappies, breastfeeding, teething, tantrums, school runs and parent evenings! I told them that I got a great sense of freedom and liberty from not having children, focusing on my life with my husband and all the things we want to achieve.
Q: What else happened on the show?
A: There were a few callers (they have a dial in to the show). Luckily, the 1st caller was a childfree lady - she said she had known since she was 8. She said that not being a mummy was brilliant! The 2nd caller was a mum by accident. She said she didn’t regret it but knew that she would have had a great life without child, so she understood us too. Two women on the celeb panel had kids late and said we may regret it, but they respected our choice.
All in all it went well and I got to see how the show runs and got to sit in hair and make up and the green room with the celebs. Matthew the presenter was so grateful to us for raising the subject.
