In this conversation, Keltie speaks with Stacey Hicks — a writer and Deputy Editor at Australian media outlet, Mamamia — about being a mom to one. The two of them discuss...

• The complexities surrounding the decision to have kids and in particular, the choice to have only one child. (6:49)
• How being one and done elicits a similar response from other people as being or considering being childfree. (11:57)
• The challenges of navigating external expectations while striving to make choices that align with personal values and family dynamics. (25:02)
• The joys and challenges of raising an only child. (37:38)
• How self-trust and self-knowledge play into the decision about whether to have no kids, one kid, or multiple children. (45:21)

As mentioned in the show: Find Stacey on social media at @staceyahicks. Check out Stacey's writing at Mamamia, including her piece about being the mom of an only child: mamamia.com.au/only-child-families/ The only child researcher Stacey and I discuss in our conversation is Dr. Rosina McAlpine. About Stacey: Stacey Hicks is the Deputy Editor for Australia's largest women's media company, Mamamia. After working in magazines for a decade, she made the switch to digital where she loves sharing women's stories across news, lifestyle and parenting. She is also a mum to a glorious four-year-old girl with her husband, who she met in her first media job working at the local newspaper. __ The next round of our Kids or Childfree Group Program kicks off June 18th! kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 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