Episode 7

full
Published on:

4th Dec 2024

Choosing Motherhood or Child-Free Living

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Lisette and Lucy dive deep into the contrasting paths of choosing motherhood and embracing a child-free lifestyle, exploring the impact of women’s expectations, parenthood choices, and the challenges of balancing family and career. This discussion celebrates the diverse life choices for women and sheds light on navigating societal norms while staying true to personal fulfilment.

🌟 Episode Highlights 🌟

In this episode, Lisette and Lucy reflect on a significant difference in their lives:

Lucy chose motherhood, raising four children—two by birth and two through adoption—over two marriages. Her journey with adopting children and embracing the joys of grandparenting brings unique insights into parenting challenges and rewards.

Lisette decided early in life to live child-free and has never regretted it. She shares her experience of navigating societal views on child-free living, finding life fulfilment beyond parenting, and thriving through women’s empowerment through choice.

🌟Weekly Reflections:

Lisette experienced a deep sense of inner peace, acting from a place of "being and allowing" rather than reacting from an "egoic place." Her work as an external examiner for a healing school further emphasises her commitment to personal growth and helping others achieve balance.

Lucy celebrated securing additional angel investment for her Book Magic AI book-writing app and enjoyed a weekend caring for her young grandchildren, highlighting the balance between career and family.

🌟 Key Discussion Themes:

Choosing Motherhood:

Lucy shares how deciding to have children, and later adopting children, profoundly shaped her life.

Child-Free Living:

Lisette provides insights into living child-free by design, emphasising the importance of finding fulfilment without children and embracing childless women’s perspectives.

Parenthood Choices:

They discuss parenthood vs career, the social pressures on women, and the challenges of motherhood versus the rewards of living without kids.

Adoption Stories:

Lucy’s journey includes touching experiences of adopting vs birthing children, navigating adoption experiences, and understanding the role of family and personal growth.

Women and Societal Expectations:

Both reflect on breaking societal norms for women, redefining women thriving without children, and finding balance between parenting and personal growth.

đź’¬ Engaging and Empowering Conversation:

This heartfelt episode delves into:

Life without children and overcoming the stigma of being childless.

The role of women in family dynamics, from grandparenting experiences to balancing family and professional growth.

Empowering women to make decisions about parenthood that align with their values.

✨ Why You Should Watch:

Whether you’re a parent, exploring child-free living, or reflecting on life decisions for women at 70, this episode offers valuable insights into women’s life journeys. It’s a celebration of individuality, honouring the beauty of both parenthood and choosing a child-free lifestyle.

✨ Empowering Your Journey:

Every choice is valid, whether it’s embracing motherhood, living child-free, or focusing on career and personal growth. Thank you for being part of this inspiring journey with The Year of Being 70 Podcast! 🌟

📌 Stay Connected:

We’d love to hear your thoughts on motherhood vs child-free living, adoption and family building, or navigating social expectations of motherhood. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your views in the comments!

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About the Podcast

The Year of Being 70
Two childhood friends who turned 70 in 2024 look back on their lives, their journey, and their busy lives at 70t
Lucy McCarraher and Lisette Schuitemaker are childhood friends. Born one month apart in 1954, they both hit 70 in 2024. In this podcast they take the long view of their experiences, the changes that have taken place through their 70 years of existence in their own lives, their families, their countries and the world. Lucy is British; Lisette is Dutch. Both are authors, eldest daughters and founders of businesses. Every week they check in on each other, recall their younger selves, discuss an important issue, and laugh a lot.
You'll love this podcast if you enjoy:
* Honest discussions between good friends
* Social history from the 1950s to present day
* Memories of growing up in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
* Living and working through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s
* Hearing about families and relationships
* Entrepreneurship and business
* Writing and reading books
* A bit of politics from a personal point of view
* Women's issues and the changing face of feminism
* What it's like to be 70 in the 2020s

About your host

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Lisette Schuitemaker