Can I just say - thank you! Thank you for writing such a powerful piece and giving such reference to the childfree and the childless. In my experience, it is a very rare occasion that a mother recognises, respects, encourages and sees the value in her childfree friends whilst also rrecognising the disenfranchised grief of her childless friends.

Normally we get the standard bingos - you will regret not having children, you will change your mind, who will look after you when you are older, you will never know the meaning of true love, you aren't a real woman unless you've had children - blah blah blah blah blah.

I don't want kids, have never wanted kids, won't ever have kids. My wish for all women in the world is that those who want children have them. And those who don't want them, don't have them. And both parties are happy and equally respected and recognized.

I write about being childfree regularly and this piece is brilliantly written. Thanks