As a woman who has chosen not to have children, it’s always been an awkward topic of conversation (especially since my hubby and I got married – the first question is always, ‘so when are you planning to have kids?’). I just assumed that’s the way it was – I’d made an unusual choice and would be defending it for the next decade or so.
Then I read A Childfree Happily Ever After, and I was surprised by how widespread this phenomenon was. It had always been in the back of my mind – an ‘that’s just the way it is’ thing – but this book encouraged me to think critically about the social and cultural forces that are creating this mindset, along with unveiling the phenomenon that being childfree is a more common choice than at any other time in history! For a thought-provoking yet entertaining read (loved Tanya’s sense of humour!), I strongly recommend this book.

This is an excellent resource for those either tossing up whether or not to have children, or who have already chosen not to, and need a dose of ‘I made the right decision for me’ medicine. I am a mother of three now adult children, but applaud those for whom the parenthood path is not one they would choose for themselves and are brave enough to stare down those who assume happiness comes from motherhood. This is also the sort of book you can read from start to finish, or pick up and put down, reading parts that are pertinent or that resonate

I bought the book tonight and already up to page 80 – i love it. Its a BRILLIANT book especially when it comes to breaking down the barriers of choice. Especially for us based on our cultural and religion expectations, and how it might be “imprisoning” who we really want to be – from a “woman’s duty” and having children perspective. Tanya discusses this and refers to the Quran too at one point (as well as other religious books) so its a greatly researched book.

Tanya has written an amazing book that I’ve had the privilege of reading over the last week. I think that everyone should read this. I am a very happy (if at times a little weary) mother and two and wouldn’t have it any other way, though reading this book was paradigm shifting. I am so happy to know it will be there for my daughter to read when she has to make her life choices. This book has the power to change lives.

The perfect person to tell our stories with truth, respect and I am sure a little fun, you are fabulous.

Hello Tanya – I loved your article ‘The decision to be child free was a choice…..’ I am 61 years old and chose not to have children because when I married my husband I was older (in my late 30’s) and my future husband had two children and a difficult relationship with his ex-wife.  I also work in education – many women in education ask me how I can possibly know how to teach children if I am not a mother.  But thank you for the article – it is an important subject – those who choose not to have children and those who take on other people’s children instead of having their own.

I have the ebook and loved it. Very well written and goes into the conditioning women get and the cultural and social pressures women face.

This was awesome! A book providing positive aspects about the choice to be child-free is rare, but this one is definitely a winner. I would give it 10 stars if I could. Thank you, Tanya, for positively portraying a woman in her 30s and above, who is child-free, happy and unashamed of her decision. We need more books like this.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read but also well researched and well thought out. I would recommend it to anyone. I hope a paperback edition comes out soon because I’d like to start handing out copies instead of explaining why I’m childfree every time I’m asked. But seriously – this is a great read for people who are childfree but also for those who are thinking about their options or perhaps have children and want to understand what childfree people are all about.

As a woman who has chosen not to have children, it’s always been an awkward topic of conversation (especially since my hubby and I got married – the first question is always, ‘so when are you planning to have kids?’). I just assumed that’s the way it was – I’d made an unusual choice and would be defending it for the next decade or so.

Then I read A Childfree Happily Ever After, and I was surprised by how widespread this phenomenon was. It had always been in the back of my mind – an ‘that’s just the way it is’ thing – but this book encouraged me to think critically about the social and cultural forces that are creating this mindset, along with unveiling the phenomenon that being childfree is a more common choice than at any other time in history!

For a thought-provoking yet entertaining read (loved Tanya’s sense of humour!), I strongly recommend this book.