Non-Parents, the Free Agents of Adulthood

CLOSE ✕

Get in Touch

Thank you for your interest! Please fill out the form below if you have a question or comment.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Kate Kaufmann

November 14, 2025

Non-Parents, the Free Agents of Adulthood

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unapparent/202511/non-parents-the-free-agents-of-adulthood

‍

Recent Blog Posts

October 2, 2025

Posts

If You Don't Have Kids, What's Your Legacy?

Personal Perspective: When you don't have kids, you can design your own legacy.

My Strategies for Dealing With the Kid Question

Personal Perspective: When asked if I have kids, I've learned to steer the conversation.

It’s All Relative(s): Navigating Family Events Without Kids

A Personal Perspective: Finding connection outside the parenting bubble.

The Key to Aging Without Having Kids

Personal Perspective: Building a network of nonparent friends can be fun and life-affirming.

Misunderstood on Mother's Day

Personal Perspective: Non-motherhood evolves over time, just like motherhood does.

Money Matters for Nonparents

Personal Perspective: The childfree save and spend differently than parents do.

Kissing Cousins of the Childless and Childfree

Personal Perspective: Parents and non-parents can form family trees of affinity.

Foregoing Motherhood: The Thing About Future Regret

Personal Perspective: Seeing the future when living in the present is really hard.

2024 Women of the Year: Childless Cat Ladies

This year, we childless cat ladies came out of the shadows and into the media.

Reframing the Parent and Non-Parent Divide

Personal Perspective: Parents and non-parents have more in common as they age.

Who Will Take Care of You When You're Old?

Personal Perspective: A non-parent on later-life planning.

Let's Move Beyond Cat Ladies, IVF and IUI to Find Meaning

Non-parents live interesting and inspiring lives.

Calling All Cat Ladies and Other Non-Parents

Here's how to deal with all the buzz about people who don't have kids.

Handy Resources to Find and Befriend Other Non-Parents

Options abound to meet the childless, undecided, and everything in-between.

Do You or Did You Want Kids?

A Personal Perspective: The answer depends on your age and circumstances.

Two Great Gifts for Friends and Family Without Kids

2 Great Gifts for Friends and Family Without Kids. These free and respectful options will be much appreciated.

3 Reasons Elders Are Crucial Friends for Those Without Kids

A Personal Perspective: People older than ourselves can help guide our future.

Are Chi Suckers Sapping Your Energy?

A Personal Perspective: Are you a chi sucker? Am I?

From Here to Eternity in Six Important Steps

Personal Perspective: A childfree octogenarian takes care of loose ends.

Are We Dates? Mates? A Couple? Partners?

A Personal Perspective: How we label our liaisons can be confusing. And private.

Where Do the Childfree and Childless Find Each Other?

5 savvy strategies to meet people without kids.

"Will You Be With Me at the End?"

A Personal Perspective: A challenging, yet necessary, question for those without kids.

No apologies. No shame. No stigma.

4 Tips for Talking Mom to Non-Mom

Curiosity, kindness, and acceptance are helpful strategies for everyone

7 Tips for the Kid Question When You Have None

Instead of dreading the question, have a variety of answers ready.

Written by

Kate Kaufmann

Be the first to know.

Non-Parents, the Free Agents of Adulthood

Other posts

Recent Blog Posts