It makes sense why we don’t have this label. Having children is “expected” of women. At 48 I am not nor have not raised any children, but like you I am not really child free. My world is full of other people’s children whom I get to live and enjoy and send home.
Thank you for this! I agree! There’s an Instagram account called Rich Auntie Supreme that is a delight and holds space for the women living somewhere between childless and childfree.
“ I can care without caretaking.” Oh, how very necessary this is!
Also, this is a shorter version of what Sarah Blaffer Hrdy argues in “Mothers and Others” — that our species likely survived many eras of difficulty precisely because of the cool aunties (aka alloparents) among us.
My daughter made the choice to be without children, and I'm forever torn between hoping she doesn't regret it -- what mom doesn't want her child to be happy with all her choices? -- and admiring both her self-confident decision and a world that is a little bit better about allowing her to make it. I loved this article! Glad I found you.
My oldest sister has no children of her own. Thank you so much for this piece. She's totally gonna love it, especially because you've added to her vocabulary to define who she is to the children who are not hers.
I think about this a lot as I have chosen not to have kids. I want to find more friends who are also not having kids by choice and to find ways for my other friendships to survive the coming of children.
This was a great read, Liz. You are brave—no way I could have gone on that ride without screaming and puking my guts out.
Right now, all my nieces and friends' kids are toddlers. I'm not so great with this age range, so I'm very much looking forward to when they're a bit older. I hope I'm a positive influence in their lives and can show them, by example, that it's okay to be different and exist outside the norm.
All the kids in your orbit are lucky to have you 💞
I'm not surprised you totally hit it off with "niece." You are the cool aunt! Can we still say "totally"?
It makes sense why we don’t have this label. Having children is “expected” of women. At 48 I am not nor have not raised any children, but like you I am not really child free. My world is full of other people’s children whom I get to live and enjoy and send home.
Thanks for talking about this.
Thank you for this! I agree! There’s an Instagram account called Rich Auntie Supreme that is a delight and holds space for the women living somewhere between childless and childfree.
That niece sounds pretty amazing 😉
“ I can care without caretaking.” Oh, how very necessary this is!
Also, this is a shorter version of what Sarah Blaffer Hrdy argues in “Mothers and Others” — that our species likely survived many eras of difficulty precisely because of the cool aunties (aka alloparents) among us.
https://www.naturalhistorymag.com/htmlsite/0409/0409_feature.pdf
Loved today’s missive!! 😊
My daughter made the choice to be without children, and I'm forever torn between hoping she doesn't regret it -- what mom doesn't want her child to be happy with all her choices? -- and admiring both her self-confident decision and a world that is a little bit better about allowing her to make it. I loved this article! Glad I found you.
“All you have to do is show up.” -- this should be wallpapered everywhere, Liz. 🩷
My oldest sister has no children of her own. Thank you so much for this piece. She's totally gonna love it, especially because you've added to her vocabulary to define who she is to the children who are not hers.
I loved the Wonder Wheel when I was a kid! Sometimes I can’t believe that thing is still running.
Wait, "slay" isn't a verb? :)
I think about this a lot as I have chosen not to have kids. I want to find more friends who are also not having kids by choice and to find ways for my other friendships to survive the coming of children.
This was a great read, Liz. You are brave—no way I could have gone on that ride without screaming and puking my guts out.
Right now, all my nieces and friends' kids are toddlers. I'm not so great with this age range, so I'm very much looking forward to when they're a bit older. I hope I'm a positive influence in their lives and can show them, by example, that it's okay to be different and exist outside the norm.
All the kids in your orbit are lucky to have you 💞