Please, stop trying to fix my childlessness

Trigger Warning:  Discussion of “do you have kids” conversation

Recently, I reconnected with an old friend via social media.  We had not spoken in twenty years, so inevitably the “do you have kids” conversation came up.  When I told him that I was infertile and childless, he was surprised.  But two things about his reaction startled me.

His Reaction to My Childlessness

One, he told me how sorry he was because he knew how badly I wanted to have children.  I was shocked that someone I was close with as a teenager—a guy, no less—would realize my heartfelt desire to be a mom.

The second thing that shocked me, though, was my irritation at his regret, sadness, remorse over my being childless.  Seriously?!  Get over it!  I have.  My life has turned out pretty great.  Can we talk about something else?!

I’ve accepted it, so why can’t you?!

I suppose I should be gentler.  I wrestled with my infertility for ten years.  And five years into accepting my childless life, I still have moments of heartache.  I’m not sure why I didn’t want to allow him a few minutes to process this news.  I suppose it’s because I wasn’t in a grief moment and didn’t want to be pulled down into one.  I also suppose it’s because I was waiting for him to try to “fix” my infertility, my childlessness.  And I am so tired of people trying to “fix” my “problem.”

Stop trying to fix my childlessness

Why didn’t you just adopt?  I have written two entire blogs about this “simple solution.”  Check out “Not So Helpful: Things you shouldn’t say to those struggling with infertility” and “So, why didn’t we didn’t just adopt?” for my not so short answers to this question.

Have you tried acupuncture?  Yes actually, I did.  And it is super sweet of you to offer me a free consultation.  But I’ve gotten off the rollercoaster ride called infertility treatments, and I don’t want to get back on.

Heck, I don’t even want to talk with my doctor about endometriosis surgery.  Last time I brought it up, she wanted to send me to a fertility specialist.  Are you freaking kidding me?!  No, I do not want to go back to a fertility specialist!  Can’t you do the surgery?  You are an ob-gyn, for goodness sake!

The path is difficult enough…

Acceptance of childlessness is tricky, at best.  I really don’t need anyone pushing and pulling on me as I carefully walk this path, ever cognizant of triggers, always looking and searching for the bright sides.  Because inevitably, I’ll hit a rough spot.  I’ll have a wobble.  I’ll struggle to keep going.  I certainly don’t need you to cause the path to become any more difficult.

So, please, stop trying to fix my childlessness!  Infertility is a disease.  And trust me, IVF and adoption are not cures.  Endometriosis is a chronic illness.  No, there is not a cure.

But childlessness?  It is not a disease.  It is not a chronic illness.  It is a lifestyle.  A lifestyle that many did not choose but have learned to accept.  The childless not by choice do not need your pity, your judgment, or your solutions.  We do, however, need your empathy, your support, and your acceptance.

Give us empathy, support, …

How can you give us empathy, support, and acceptance?

Well, like my old friend, tell us you are sorry that we couldn’t have the kids we so desperately wanted.  But when we say thanks, but it’s okay…  When we tell you that our life has turned out alright…  When we change the subject and talk about something else…  Let it go.  Don’t dwell on how sad it is.  Because that really isn’t helpful.

When we do have a “grief attack,” be there for us.  It’s funny because I didn’t need emotional support when I was talking to my old friend, and he wanted to give it.  But there have been times when I am so sad and just need to talk, yet no one wants to listen.  My sadness makes them uncomfortable, so they try to change the subject.  Oh, good grief!  Just let me cry for a minute!

And most importantly, give us acceptance.

And most, most importantly, please, accept our lifestyle.  My house is not super kid-friendly, I like to go to the hot, new, overly-crowded, doesn’t serve chicken nuggets restaurant, and I will tell you about the vacation we are planning to Europe.  I post way too many pictures of my fur baby, talk about how great it is to be a dog mom, and love the fact that date night can happen at the spur of the moment!  This doesn’t make me selfish or snobby or a hater of all things kid.  It does make me someone who decided to embrace what is and live my life joyfully, focusing on what I have instead of what I don’t.  Please, let me.  I got really, really tired of being sad all the time.

So, please, stop trying to fix my childlessness.  Just accept it, support me, and offer empathy when I’m struggling.  You think that’s hard?  Well, welcome to my world…

You might also like “Not So Helpful Advice: Don’t give up.”  Click here to read…

Subscribe to my email and never miss a post or any of the exciting announcements about events happening within the CANBACE / Childless Tribe!

Photo Credit:  Created by me using Canva.com