Welcome & thank you for taking time to browse.
After writing almost 200 blogs over 7 years I realised how much support there was here & how hard it was for readers to find what they most needed.
I’ve therefore created a number of pages where you can find blogs about different topics. Those are quite broad & on this page you can dig deeper into areas which interest you.
I think the headings are self-explanatory, maybe with the exception of:
‘Lesley’s top picks, my favourite posts’ – this is a good place to start. These are a combination of those I really enjoyed writing & others which I think will be the most help to you.
‘Don't let your dreams ruin your life helpful process’- this was a series of blogs I wrote in early 2020, you’ll get the best out of them if you start with the earliest one!
‘Story’ – I am a great believer in the importance of owning your story as a positive step forward.
Please read a selection of different subjects & always with an open mind
I recommend that you take your times, always knowing that some will resonate with you & some won’t. And that’s perfect, because what supported me moving forward, might help you & it also might not.
In my blogs I usually ask questions, so I also encourage you to take time to answer them.
You can read much, much more in my book, Finding Joy Beyond Childlessness.
Finally Heard – Interview with Pamela Tsigdinos @SilentSorority
Pamela was one of the first bloggers to write about childlessness on her Coming2Terms blog and her book Silent Sorority. She’s also a role model and mentor so when she writes a new book; it’s time to pay attention. Her new book is called Finally Heard: A Silent Sorority Finds it’s Voice and here’s what … Read more
You don’t have to let go of the past
In order to have the life you want; to become who you’re meant to be you have to let go of the past. Some way or somehow you need to leave it behind you, where it belongs. You know that, right? And the past means two things: The sadness and grief and All the dreams … Read more
Inspirational Story – Katy Strudwick
I first met Katy in 2010 when she organised a MTL walking weekend in the Peak District and she’s been integral in establishing a flourishing group in that area. Katy’s story could act as a model for others, yes she had deep lows and her healing comprised the two key elements of finding specialised help … Read more
If I can tell my story, you can and here’s how to start.
Perhaps you listened to me on Woman’s Hour or Drawing the Line talking about how positive my life is as a childless woman. Or maybe you’ve read my story or blog where I say that childlessness is my greatest gift. And you’re thinking something like; ‘she was brave, I can’t imagine being so open’ ‘I … Read more
Inspirational story – Claire
This week’s inspirational story is by Claire; one of the first people I met when I joined MTL and we’ve become good friends with her and her partner. She’s being very modest in her story because I know how much she’s helped other members by holding support groups. In fact a meeting at her house … Read more
Drawing the Line: When IVF doesn’t work
First Drawing the Line What do you do when IVF doesn’t work? How do you decide when to stop? And how do you come to terms with life afterwards? These are the questions I discussed with Charlotte Smith when she and Anne-Marie Bullock the Producer of the BBC Radio 4 Programme Drawing the Line: When … Read more
Childlessness; a scar or an open wound?
When I was born I was flawless, but a few weeks later I developed a brown birthmark just above my right knee. In my first year at school I had a skin graft on my leg to remove it. During my 3 weeks in hospital I had a cage placed over my leg, the girl … Read more
Inspirational Story Hayley Harle
I came across Hayley when she wrote another post and asked her to write her inspirational story for us. Reading her story brought up mixed emotions in me, and I’m sure it will do for you too. She’s our youngest writer so far and at just 22 and it saddens me that she’s had to … Read more
From ‘too many’ to ‘childlessness is a gift’.
I’ve recently re-written My Story and I realise how much I’ve changed since I last wrote it two years ago. Previously I wrote that we had’ too many’ rounds of IVF because being honest felt too vulnerable. I was ashamed to say six because I thought it was too many and I would be judged … Read more
