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

10 snips

Aug 7, 2024

Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW, is a seasoned clinical social worker and author who helps individuals navigate the complex decision of parenthood. She shares insights on how couples can address disagreements, emphasizing the importance of open communication. Discussing the pressures surrounding the choice to have children or remain child-free, Merle also highlights the often-overlooked option of having one child. With a focus on self-trust and curiosity, she encourages listeners to confront their fears about pregnancy and fully explore their motivations.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Growth vs. Safety in Parenthood

Parenthood and childfreedom are growth or safety decisions depending on individual perspectives.
Neither having children nor being child-free is inherently growth or safety; it depends on personal context.

ADVICE

Navigating Partner Disagreements

Don't panic if you and your partner disagree on having children; listen with curiosity.
Explore compromises like having fewer kids or postponing; seek therapy or coaching if stuck.

ADVICE

Use Exercises for Clarity

Do decision-making exercises separately before discussing with your partner for deeper self-awareness.
Sharing honest reflections helps both partners understand underlying reasons and fears about parenthood.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

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.

— Join an upcoming Kids or Childfree Workshop here: kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you're hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kidsorchildfree