by Merle | Dec 13, 2024 | Childfree Life, Communication, Deciding, Relationships, Timing
(updated December 2024) Holidays and other times spent with family or in-laws needn’t fill you with dread — here Merle offers tips and advice on how to avoid or handle questions or comments about your baby or parenthood plans, and other sensitive personal...
by Merle | Dec 13, 2024 | Book Reviews, Childfree Life, Deciding, Environment, Fertility, Mind/Body, Parenting, Relationships
(updated December 2024) Welcome to my 2024 book recommendations page, which I update all year with new books in a range of topics related to childfree vs. parenthood decision-making. My latest fiction and nonfiction picks delve into topics as diverse as parenthood...
by Merle | Nov 1, 2024 | Announcements, Communication, Counseling, Deciding
Join Merle and Vanessa for an insightful, two-part Decision Confidence Workshop. Six hours that will help you stop worrying and start deciding! … Summary of the program: >>> In this workshop you will use brainstorming, intriguing exercises,...
by Merle | Oct 15, 2024 | Announcements, Childfree Life, Communication, Deciding, Merle in the Media, Parenting
What an honor it is to be part of this outstanding feature story in The Sunday Times of the UK, and to be called “America’s ‘baby decision coach!” Thank you for sharing your personal story, Phoebe Luckhurst — it was a pleasure to coach you and...
by Merle | Aug 29, 2024 | Book Reviews, Childfree Life, Deciding, Fertility, Parenting
Congrats to Rose Diell, a talented new author whose first novel Fledging was just published, and features my book review testimonial as a promotional quote. Here is my full quick review: . Fledging by Rose Diell Renard Press, 2024 Riddle: How did the novelist tell a...
by Merle | Jul 5, 2024 | Ask Merle Q&A, Deciding, Parenting, Videos & Podcasts
Should I have a second or third child, and what are the pros and cons of such an important decision? I talked about how to make sense of these second child pros and cons in my short talk for the Museum of Motherhood annual conference earlier this year in St....
by Merle | Jun 29, 2024 | Ask Merle Q&A, Counseling, Deciding, Mind/Body, Parenting
Is it okay to become a parent if you or your partner have mental health challenges or issues? In my long-running “Ask Merle” series, I offer advice with three things to consider: … By Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW … Q: I suffer from...
by Merle | Jun 27, 2024 | Deciding, Myth-Busting!, Parenting
Continuing our new series called “Myth-Busting with Merle,” here Merle addresses the common myths that having just one child is not the norm, and that your only child will end up lonely and overburdened. By Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW Over...
by Merle | Mar 1, 2024 | Adoption, Childfree Life, Deciding, Mind/Body, Myth-Busting!
Continuing our new series called “Myth-Busting with Merle,” here Merle addresses another common misconception: that unless you are 100 percent sure or certain (“hell yes!”) that you want to have a child, you will ruin your life by...
by Merle | Feb 12, 2024 | Adoption, Childfree Life, Deciding, Mind/Body, Myth-Busting!, Parenting
Continuing our new series called “Myth-Busting with Merle,” here Merle addresses another common misconception: that you will never know true love unless you have a baby or a child. By Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW Over the years I’ve...
