“I’ve never quite gotten the charge out of babies that others seem to. Picture how people, especially women, usually react when parents bring their infant to the office. You hear squeals of joy: ‘Ohhhhh! Let me hooold him! Pleeeease!” Arms extend, fingers waggle, and tongues fairly pant with desire to cuddle the baby.

“I’m not part of that crowd. When offered the coveted opportunity to hold a newborn, I casually smile, nod, and back away…until I’m in the next building.”

-- From Cheerfully Childless by Ellen Metter


So many of us find ourselves constantly defending our choice to remain childfree, it is refreshing to explore the lighter side of not wanting kids. This book puts a hilarious spin on the questions we get asked, the (unwanted) trials and tribulations of parenthood, and most importantly the many reasons we have chosen this lifestyle!

Cheerfully Childless is dotted with witty cartoons and drawings that are laugh out loud funny. In one scene, two women are talking over coffee, and one says, “Yes, I once thought I’d like to have children. It was on a Thursday in 1994 between 10 and noon, I believe.”

Other cartoons explore why sports cars, dogs, and stuffed animals are “stiff competition to children.” And you’ll love the hysterical series “Parenting may not be for you if…”

The chapters in Cheerfully Childless speak for themselves:

1. Have You Always Been Very Selfish? Lots of reasons you’re not!

2. Are You the Parenting Type? And do you want to be?

3. Still unsure? Take the fool-proof self-test!

The book’s casual style and comic insights give you plenty of reasons to keep turning the page. At only 80 pages, it is a quick read, and would make an ideal gift for that special childfree person in your life – and definitely get one for yourself too!

Be honest. When author Ellen Metter asks, “At the end of the day, do you prefer a highchair or a highball,” what is YOUR answer?

Ha!