29. Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW on Navigating The Baby Decision

In this conversation, Keltie interviews her colleague and mentor, Merle Bombardieri — author of The Baby Decision, clinical social worker, and parent decision coach — about the decision to have or not have children. You'll hear them discuss:

• How couples can navigate disagreements on this topic and find a solution that works for both partners.
• Why there's no obligation to do anything special as a childfree person, and also, many childfree individuals end up doing extraordinary things. 
• Some of the more recent factors that Merle has seen over her 45-year career, which are making the Kids or Childfree decision more difficult.
• Tips for addressing a fear of pregnancy and loss of control over one's body during pregnancy and child birth.
• The societal pressures and expectations surrounding the Kids or Childfree decision — plus guidance on how to navigate these concerns and make an informed choice.
• Why having one child could be an excellent — yet often-overlooked — option for fence-sitters.
• The existential questions and mortality that can be stirred up by this decision, and the importance of curiosity and self-trust in the decision-making process.

As mentioned in the show: Find Merle online at thebabydecision.com. Instagram: instagram.com/thebabydecision Facebook: facebook.com/thebabydecision About Merle:

Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW, has been a private practice clinical social worker and psychotherapist for over 30 years. She specializes in parenthood decision-making, infertility, adoption, and making the most of a childfree life. The first edition of her book The Baby Decision was published in 1981. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Peterborough, New Hampshire. 

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