You Don’t Need Kids to Be Grown-Up

The "So Now What?" Podcast

In this week’s episode of The "So Now What?" Podcast, we explore an issue that many women who are childless after infertility experience—feeling overlooked or dismissed as adults simply because they don’t have children. If you've ever felt like society doesn’t take you seriously because you didn’t become a mother, this episode is for you.

In today's conversation, we talk about the challenges of navigating life when you’re seen as "less than" because you didn’t become a parent. Whether at family gatherings or in the workplace, many of us find that our achievements and contributions are often downplayed compared to parenting milestones.

I know how hard it can be to attend family gatherings like Thanksgiving, where conversations revolve around kids and their latest achievements. It’s easy to feel like your work promotions, hobbies, and personal growth aren’t valued in the same way. And if you’ve ever felt like your colleagues think your life lacks the complexity or responsibility of parenthood, you're not alone.

In this episode, I’ll guide you through ways to reclaim your confidence and remind yourself—and others—that your worth is not defined by your ability to have children. We’ll also explore how to celebrate your accomplishments and embrace the multifaceted woman that you are, beyond the narrow societal definition of adulthood.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- Why society often overlooks women without children and how it impacts your self-worth.

- How to confidently navigate family events and workplace dynamics without feeling diminished.

- Practical steps to stop shrinking and start celebrating your life and accomplishments, even without children.

- How to break free from societal expectations and redefine what it means to be a grown-up.

Sign Up for the Thrive After Infertility Mastermind

Are you ready to stop feeling sidelined and start thriving? Join me in my *Thrive After Infertility Mastermind* this fall, where we’ll dive deep into reclaiming your narrative, celebrating your achievements, and navigating the complexities of the holidays without children.

The final class of the year starts soon, and it includes bonus support around the holiday season—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond.

How to join?

Book Your Free Thrive Call here.

Sign up for a free 45-minute Thrive Call to explore how you can create a fulfilling life without the children you dreamed of. In this call, we’ll discuss your challenges and aspirations, and I’ll share how the Mastermind can help you thrive in ways you never thought possible.

Get Your Free Guide

If you’ve ever been in a conversation where people offer unsolicited advice on how to become a mom, download my free resource,

The Top 27 Things People Say When You're Childless and How to Respond.

Head over to LanaManikowski.com/thingspeoplesay or click here to get your copy.

I hope this episode reminds you that you ARE enough, just as you are.

Your life is meaningful and valuable—even without the children you once dreamed of.

Tune in, and let’s break down the myths around what it means to be an adult.