It’s that time of year again, you’re going to be childless at Christmas & the feeling of dread is building. If you’re like I used to be, you’ll want to hide away until January. But we both know that’s not possible. What you can do instead is to prepare yourself so you lessen the impact. I have mixed feelings about Christmas. I’m as at peace with not having children as I’ll ever be and not having my parents is tougher to deal with. There are a number of reasons, I guess mainly to do with missing their presence on the day. This year I feel reluctant to get into the ‘Christmas Spirit’. I guess it’s early yet (& maybe that’s the point!), I’m writing this on 19th November but I’m already fed up with the Christmas adverts. We visited family at the end of October & were offered mince pies (noooo). I saw a Facebook post the other day which was ‘there are 12 days of Christmas & none of them are in November.’ Quite. I hope that doesn’t make me seem too miserable; I feel very strongly that, in the UK at least it’s become far too commercial. And I’m determined not to fall for that. It’s time to do Christmas differently This year, for only the second time it will be just the two of us over Christmas, so it will be quieter & the main thing is we can be flexible. We’ll definitely get out into the … Read moreChildless at Christmas: this is all you need
One question to ask yourself in January
If you’re excited by all those enthusiastic emails flooding into your inbox telling you it’s time to make this change, set new resolutions, stop reading now. This is definitely not … Read moreOne question to ask yourself in January
Christmas survival guide
It’s that time of year again and you can probably feel the tension and stress building. Maybe the idea of hiding somewhere until January sounds attractive but unfortunately that’s not … Read moreChristmas survival guide
How to bring joy into your life
The days are growing shorter and THAT time of year is almost upon us. Maybe you feel a sense of heaviness or dread and you’re thinking something like – what … Read moreHow to bring joy into your life
Hello, I’m Lesley Pyne, I’m childless
Hello I’m Lesley Pyne, I’m childless. I am courage, I am peace, I am joy. I am me. I created this image for World Childless Week. We have a campaign … Read moreHello, I’m Lesley Pyne, I’m childless
21 Miles, by Jessica Hepburn
Does motherhood make you happy? I’m guessing you believe the answer is yes, especially as you tried so hard to be a mother. Like many of us, Jessica Hepburn wondered … Read more21 Miles, by Jessica Hepburn
Supporting Word Childless Week
This year I’m really excited to be involved in and actively supporting World Childless Week between 10th and 16th September. World Childless Week (WCW) ‘aims to raise awareness of the childless … Read moreSupporting Word Childless Week
150 blogs later and it all boils down to one question
As I started to write I realised this is my 150th blog, so what better time to look back and consider what I’ve learned during the almost 5 ½ years … Read more150 blogs later and it all boils down to one question
Realising that grief isn’t the enemy
Here’s my story called ‘Realising that grief isn’t the enemy ‘ which was published in the August 2018 edition of Happiful Magazine. “After years of hiding her feelings of sadness … Read moreRealising that grief isn’t the enemy
IVF is 40, forgotten voices speaking out.
On 25th July 2018 IVF is 40; it’s the 40th birthday of Louise Brown, the first IVF baby. Latest figures suggest that at least 6 million babies have been born … Read moreIVF is 40, forgotten voices speaking out.
It’s ALL about the story
Well what an exciting couple of weeks it’s been. As I write this I’ve been a published author for twelve days, well more than that I am an Amazon No1 … Read moreIt’s ALL about the story
If you can dream it you can do it
This is it. Today Finding Joy Beyond Childlessness: Inspiring Stories to Guide You to a Fulfilling Life will be downloaded onto Kindles and appear through letterboxes around the world. Today … Read moreIf you can dream it you can do it
Finding joy in unexpected places
When you first read the title of my book Finding Joy Beyond Childlessness: Inspiring Stories to Guide You to a Fulfilling Life, you might have been surprised to see the … Read moreFinding joy in unexpected places
How are you different now?
What you’ve been through in the past few years has changed you and you will have gained some qualities you didn’t know you had. You might not want them, but … Read moreHow are you different now?
Four things I learned when I showed my true colours.
You know when you commit to something, it all seems exciting and then there comes a moment when you wonder what on earth you’ve just done? This happened to me … Read moreFour things I learned when I showed my true colours.
There’s More To Life Than Having Children
What happens when you read the headline? Does your body recoil because you can’t possibly believe they could ever apply to you, or do you believe that one day they … Read moreThere’s More To Life Than Having Children
