Essay by filmmaker on being childfree

After giving birth to a stillborn child and a few years later going through a divorce, Baltimore documentary filmmaker Nancy Rome decided not to try again. She writes about her experience of accepting her childfree status and about filming other women who've made the choice not to become parents in an essay titled "Childless: Some by Chance, Some by Choice" for the Washington Post. Her opening lines demonstrate perfectly why the question of whether you have children can be so intrusive:

"No, no, sorry. I don't have any . . ."

Why does this always seem to be the first thing I'm asked? It takes my breath away, yet why do I feel the need to apologize for my reply? Looking vague and embarrassed, my questioner glances over my shoulder for someone else to talk to: someone with whom he or she has more in common, someone with children.

Later she writes:

Those of us who are not mothers do not fit into any of society's convenient boxes: We're not slaves to carpools or homework. At the same time, we are not necessarily obsessed about our careers or even ourselves; nor are we anti-family. Our days are simply lived according to a different rhythm: Children don't tug at my clothes and beg for attention; I don't leave my cellphone on during films or dinner parties in case the babysitter needs me; I travel; I read books -- lots of them -- as well as the newspaper.

It's worth reading the whole piece!
[LINK]