Verified by Psychology Today

Unapparent

Alternate routes to lives of meaning, connection, and joy.

Personal Perspectives
Calling All Cat Ladies and Other Non-Parents

Kate Kaufmann on August 2, 2024

Cat ladies, gents, and others are outed. Here's why it's so important for them to speak out honestly about what matters to them and their place in society.

Cat ladies, gents, and others are outed. Here's why it's so important for them to speak out honestly about what matters to them and their place in society.

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

Kate Kaufmann on July 4, 2024

"Who will take care of you when you're old?" is a question often posed to childless and childfree adults. Having kids isn't a substitute for mindful end-of-life planning. For parents and non-parents alike.

"Who will take care of you when you're old?" is a question often posed to childless and childfree adults. Having kids isn't a substitute for mindful end-of-life planning. For parents and non-parents alike.

Parenting
Handy Resources to Find and Befriend Other Non-Parents

Kate Kaufmann on March 1, 2024

Do you ever feel alone, misunderstood, or stigmatized among friends who are parents? Here are resources for finding information focused on the many people like you.

Do you ever feel alone, misunderstood, or stigmatized among friends who are parents? Here are resources for finding information focused on the many people like you.

Personal Perspectives
Do You or Did You Want Kids?

Kate Kaufmann on December 26, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Do you romanticize the path not taken? We all take paths that lead us in different directions. Like when we have or don't have kids.

A Personal Perspective: Do you romanticize the path not taken? We all take paths that lead us in different directions. Like when we have or don't have kids.

Friends
2 Great Gifts for Friends and Family Without Kids

Kate Kaufmann on November 26, 2023

Make your holiday table more inclusive and welcoming by spending at least 12 minutes every hour talking about something other than the kids.

Make your holiday table more inclusive and welcoming by spending at least 12 minutes every hour talking about something other than the kids.

Friends
3 Reasons Elders Are Crucial Friends for Those Without Kids

Kate Kaufmann on November 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Befriending an elder or two, especially those who aren't parents, is a great way for the childless and childfree to navigate the future.

A Personal Perspective: Befriending an elder or two, especially those who aren't parents, is a great way for the childless and childfree to navigate the future.

Mindfulness
Are Chi Suckers Sapping Your Energy?

Kate Kaufmann on September 26, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Do people sometimes suck you dry? Identify and deal with the chi suckers in your life.

A Personal Perspective: Do people sometimes suck you dry? Identify and deal with the chi suckers in your life.

Identity
Barbie Is a Non-Mom

Kate Kaufmann on July 27, 2023

Did you have a Barbie? I did, and now I know how she influenced my life. In a very good way.

Did you have a Barbie? I did, and now I know how she influenced my life. In a very good way.

Parenting
The Payoff for Speaking Up About Not Having Kids

Kate Kaufmann on June 24, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Connecting with others who don't have kids is the key to a good life for childfree people—and the payoff is huge.

A Personal Perspective: Connecting with others who don't have kids is the key to a good life for childfree people—and the payoff is huge.

Aging
Together We Make Plans to Die

Kate Kaufmann on June 15, 2023

Personal Perspective: No one wants to plan for their last days. Especially when you don’t have kids, asking others to take on roles requires candor and courage.

Personal Perspective: No one wants to plan for their last days. Especially when you don’t have kids, asking others to take on roles requires candor and courage.

Bias
7 Tips for the Kid Question When You Have None

Kate Kaufmann on March 30, 2023

Get ready with new ways to deal with the kid question when your answer is "No." It's empowering and helps bust stigmas and stereotypes.

Get ready with new ways to deal with the kid question when your answer is "No." It's empowering and helps bust stigmas and stereotypes.

Relationships
4 Tips for Talking Mom to Non-Mom

Kate Kaufmann on March 29, 2023

"Do you have kids?" is a challenging question for those who don't. Try these ideas to reframe responses to the kid question.

"Do you have kids?" is a challenging question for those who don't. Try these ideas to reframe responses to the kid question.

Friends
"Will You Be With Me at the End?"

Kate Kaufmann on March 19, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Will you hold my hand when I die? A really big ask, especially for the childless and childfree. Or is it?

A Personal Perspective: Will you hold my hand when I die? A really big ask, especially for the childless and childfree. Or is it?

Relationships
How Women Can Be Biased Against Other Women

Kate Kaufmann on August 30, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Do you feel othered by some women, but not others? Here are 5 common ways we splinter and dilute our collective power. We can come together by getting curious.

A Personal Perspective: Do you feel othered by some women, but not others? Here are 5 common ways we splinter and dilute our collective power. We can come together by getting curious.

Friends
Need Help? Go Ahead and Ask

Kate Kaufmann on August 24, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Asking for help demonstrates that we can accomplish much more by including others in solving our conundrums.

A Personal Perspective: Asking for help demonstrates that we can accomplish much more by including others in solving our conundrums.