11: Karen Malone Wright is The Not Mom

Karen Malone Wright is the creator of
TheNotMom.com  She's an experienced writer and
communications strategist who launched her website in 2012 as a
resource for and about women without children in a mom-centered
world.  This October, Karen will host The Not Mom Summit,
which is a groundbreaking international conference for childless
and child-free women.  Previously, she worked independently
at her own business, The Odyssey Creative Communications
Consultancy.  Karen has worked for clients as diverse as
Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice in the Netherlands and
Goodwill Industries of Ohio.  Karen is an example of someone
who created the resource she was trying to find.  She is
dedicated to helping and guiding women around the world who would
otherwise feel unsupported.


What You Will Learn in This Episode:


Like many women without children, Karen assumed she would
have children during her first marriage.  Ambivalence to the
idea of children began during her second marriage when she
was in her late 30’s.

She was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes and realised she could
be subject to a high-risk pregnancy.

Karen talks candidly about the “active grief” that consumed
her for 1-2 years as a result of the loss of her dream of
pregnancy and children.

It was a day-long retreat for women with pregnancy loss that
finally taught her, through labyrinth work, to let go of the
grief.

Karen has found that women’s experiences of life without
motherhood can be very different across regions and cultures.

Karen discusses various reasons for the ambivalence many
women feel about having a child.

Building a life without kids CAN be rewarding and satisfying.

Historically, women’s attitudes about motherhood began to
change as women pursued college degrees.

This is a trend that could have long-term effects on the
population for the future.

Women without children have to consider alternative care
arrangements for their long-term care as they grow older.

From Day One of launching her website, Karen knew she wanted
to connect with women going through the same thing---and wanted
to connect them with each other.

One of the challenges is to figure out what legacy means when
it doesn’t involve leaving a child behind.

One of the major benefits to NOT having a child, Karen says,
is having your own money and spending it as you wish—and NOT
having to pay for college!



Resources Mentioned:


www.thenotmom.com


www.notmomcon2015.sched.org