[Entry deadline: REACHED. Winners announced.]
I always hate the day after Christmas, when all of the build-up has passed and the anticipation is gone and the atmosphere feels like it’s taking a
sniff after a really sloppy sneeze.
But then I remember: There’s still New Year’s–it’s not over, yet!
And to keep that holiday “something’s coming my way” feeling going just a little bit longer, I’m holding the easiest contest in the world, whose winner will be sent a free paperback copy of No Children, No Guilt. (Not everyone has an e-reader, you know.)
Whether you’ve already decided not to have children, aren’t yet sure, or want nineteen of them, No Children, No Guilt takes a casual and humorous, but honest, approach to the decision-making process and what those considering not having children are faced with.
Maybe you want a copy for yourself, or maybe you want it for a family member who told you over Christmas that you’re looking “light” on offspring. Whatever you want it for, this copy right here in the picture to the left will be put in the mail on Tuesday, January 3. (If you were hoping for the owl ornament in the last post, you can’t have it. That was a Christmas gift to me, and I love it, and it’s mine.)
To be entered to win: Leave a comment below that answers this very simple question: “Why do you want a copy of No Children, No Guilt?” Anyone can enter – women, men, singles, couples, and everything in between.
(If you say, “I just like free stuff,” don’t worry. I won’t be offended. I like free stuff, too. And if you want to make something up, feel free to do that, too. Anything goes.)
Winner will be decided like this:
I’ll put the names of everyone who answers in a hat (one entry into the hat per person, not per comment – if you leave more than one comment, your name still only goes in the hat once). Victor (who makes his debut in an upcoming article I wrote for DINKlife.com), eyes covered or averted, will reach into the hat and pull out a name, and that person will be the winner.
Winner will be announced on December 31, 2011, at 7:30pm EST.
And yes, I’ll ship to countries outside of the U.S.
Happy New Year!
- Syl
Stephanie
/ December 27, 2011My answer is also simple: I want the book because I enjoy your blog, so I’m guessing I’ll enjoy the book as well.
Viki Powers
/ December 27, 2011I would like another book about not having kids and feeling great about it to display on my bookshelf for everyone to see! :)
Crystal
/ December 27, 2011I would enjoy reading a book about having no children…and I would proudly carry it around for others to see my personal choice.
Dianne
/ December 27, 2011Because I never win anything. I’m hoping to start my new year off with better luck!
No seriously, I’d really like to learn how others feel about choosing to remain child free. I’m also curious as to who’s “guilt” the book is referring too? Guilt for not having babies, or the guilt kids dump on you (for being a lousy parent) when they’re growing up and/or grown?
Luna
/ December 27, 2011I would like to share the copy with my younger sister, who fell into the life-script and pressures to make grand-kids, who is struggling with her happiness with a one year old, who is now being pressured to make baby #2, 3, 4, etc. I want her to know that there are others out there like myself who never want children, and like her who experience the pressures of society and friends/relatives, but it’s okay to stand up for yourself and say “I’m going to do MY thing” without feeling guilty for just trying to be happy. I would like to help her before she ends up having another child for other people, thus ruining her life and happiness even more. I understand it’s a “bed.made.lie.” deal for her, but I’m still her sister and I do care about her.
Leann
/ December 27, 2011I would like a copy because although my husband and I are content with our decision to not procreate and I’ve never wanted kids, I still find that I have some guilt over the whole “not giving my parents grandchildren” issue. They are supportive and always say the right things, but I wonder if they are secretly disappointed.
Lori
/ December 27, 2011I would like to win this book because it sounds like a great one to add to my CF library.
Nyxks
/ December 27, 2011Free’s always nice, but in truth if its on the line of Childfree or Childless topics in literature I’m chomping at the bit to be able to read it – I also do book reviews so many such books I get I do review on as well.
I’m childfree by choice though some would say childless because nature made sure I wouldn’t be able to have any even if I did wont them to start with. To me I’m just another young person out there who is married, get’s BINGOed and in general is enjoying what life has to offer along the way.
Kristen
/ December 27, 2011I would like to win this book because I’m starting to become more honest with myself about whether I want kids or not. Since I’m surfing the internet looking for different perspectives, I think having this book would be perfect!
Kevin J. Parham
/ December 27, 2011Syl -
You didn’t state whether this contest was strictly for women only, (since they perform 99% of what it takes to bring a child into the world), couples, or also includes men. With that said, I kindly offer my perspective. My reason for wanting a copy of ‘No Children, No Guilt’ is really quite elementary:
Being a 57 year-old man, and having already decided long ago that having children was not in my life’s plan, it would be interesting to read about the decision-making process that is undertaken (light-heartedly, of course) when considering whether or not to have children. I would then share it with family and friends for their own enjoyment and/or edification.
There have been times in my life when I feel that I’ve missed something by not having kids, but then there are those times when I’m comfortable with the fact that I have none of my own. I guess it all works out…I have arrived at a place of balanced perspective about it all.
Pretty basic, but there it is…
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Best,
Kevin
Sylvia D. Lucas
/ December 27, 2011Good question, Kevin. I’ll edit the post to answer that. (Anyone can enter the contest. Yeah, women do most of the hard labor – har har – but both men and women are faced with the decision of whether to make children a part of their lives.)
Sass M. K.
/ December 27, 2011I’d love a copy of this book not only for myself, but also to share with my brother who is undecided, and also with sister in law and her new husband who do not want children but are unfortunately being prodded in the wrong decision by family members…
Stine Sandberg
/ December 27, 2011I would love a copy of your book. I dont have any childfree books yet.
Wildkat
/ December 27, 2011I would love to have a copy of your book. There are times I am unsure of myself about my decision and I would like to have a new perspective
Emily
/ December 27, 2011I would like to win a copy of the book to have some CF literature. I haven’t read any books about it so this would be my first.
Rachael Smith
/ December 27, 2011I’d like the book for 2 reasons. 1) it sounds interesting and I’d like to read it. 2) I’d like to leave it laying around my apartment for my on the fence boyfriend to look at.
Miss Jenny
/ December 27, 2011I would like a copy of the book to read it; Simples.
Neon
/ December 27, 2011I have no books on being CF, and I think it’s about time I do!
(iamblackbird on thechildfreelife.org forums)
Chiari
/ December 27, 2011I am CFBC and would love a book on the matter. Ive never read a book abbot being childfree. Maybe there are even more benefits than I realized?
Kate
/ December 27, 2011I would like a copy because I know I don’t want children (and have always known it), but a relative recently had a baby, and I’m struggling with the sadness from “disappointing” my mother.
Kristina Saucedo
/ December 27, 2011“Why do you want a copy of No Children, No Guilt?”
Because it sounds like a great book that could be really enlightening.
Sara N
/ December 27, 2011I enjoy your blog and all the child free topics you discuss.
Suzie
/ December 28, 2011I would like to win a copy of your book so that if I get bingoed by a friend I could hand them the book and say, “here, read this.” :)
Charlton
/ December 28, 2011I want a copy of it so I can add it to my personal feminist/childfree library I’m building. I want to show it to my future FIL who thinks that we’re “wrong” about not having kids. I want to show him that we’re not wrong, and that it’s OK to live childfree.
Shauna
/ December 28, 2011I’m curious to see what the book is about :-)
indigo
/ December 28, 2011After a bingo filled holiday (this time of the year is the worst for them!) I’d love to read something new. (and leave it in full view of mother/cousins/crazy old aunt) I definitely need a giggle!
Aussieclogs
/ December 28, 2011Hi there,
I would love a copy of your book as I would love to read it, but also just so I can display it on my coffee table and have it help me ‘come out’.
Isha
/ December 28, 2011Hi!
I would like this book because I’m kinda still on the fence.. hoping that I would’t regret not having a kid when I still could have… Hopefully it would give me some perspective!
frogsong2112
/ December 28, 2011Good Morning,
I would like to win because once I publish my book “Planned UnParenthood – Creating a Life Without Procreating” I will do what you are doing and give away a copy the same way, via a blog entry….Plus I will need to add to my vast library once I find a house that has a big built-in one.
absolutdc
/ December 28, 2011I want to see what other people have to say about their decision to be childfree.
Suri
/ December 28, 2011Hello,
I would like to win this book to really solidify my choice to be childfree. There’s still a part of me that thinks it might be nice to have “just one” and it’s those times I need a good shake — preferably a metaphorical one via a well-crafted and thoughtful book.
msclydefrog
/ December 28, 2011I would like to win this book because I have never read a childfree book and honestly, the more I read and learn, the more solid I feel in being childfree. I’m just now starting to drop hints to others about my choice :)
Jessie
/ December 28, 2011I would make book club full of breeders read it.
Katie Karpetz
/ December 28, 2011I would like that book because I just recently discovered that there was such a thing as childfree life. (I did not know other people felt that way, lame I know) Any extra reading on the subject would be awesome sauce. :)
ChoosingKidFree
/ December 28, 2011The key to me is the humor involved. There’s too much negativity around the subject of being childfree–and both the breeder and non-breeders contribute to the negativity.
Sylvia D. Lucas
/ December 29, 2011Agreed.
Brent Jowers
/ December 28, 2011I would love to have a copy of the book because I have a plethora of free time since my reproductively active friends all ostracize me, since they think that I’m a child-hater since I am openly childfree. I am hoping that through absorbing childfree related knowledge, that I can figure out how judging me so harshly, fits into the narrative most parents have where “Once you become a parent, you learn the true meaning of compassion”
Stephanie
/ December 28, 2011I love your blog and don’t have any books on being child free. I’d love for yours to be the first. It’s so refreshing to hear the voices of other women who just don’t have any desire for children. It’s hard sometimes to remember that I’m not the only one when my Facebook feed is saturated with all things baby.
Stacey
/ December 28, 2011I want a signed copy so I can have tangible proof I knew you before you got hugely famous. :p
Jenna Guziak
/ December 29, 2011I would love to win a book like that!
sophia
/ December 29, 2011It’s hard to find books that deal with childfreedom so I would like to read this.
Donna Rule
/ December 29, 2011I would like a copy of this book to help educate the single women I know that there IS a choice not to have children if you do not wish to and you CAN feel good and respect yourself for that decision. I came to the CF decision by myself, and it was hard bucking the family, religious institutions, and whatnot, to stand by it, but I am glad I did. I would like to make it easier for others to do the same! Thank you for offering this contest – much appreciated! :)
Anti Natal (@Anti_Natal_)
/ December 29, 2011I;m childfree forever, and I like to read..
Sylvia D. Lucas
/ December 29, 2011These comments (and I told Victor this last night) are making me very happy that the selection is going to be a random drawing from a hat, because if I actually had to choose two people based on what you all have written, I’d be in trouble. It wouldn’t be possible!
Gimbelle
/ December 29, 2011I like stirring up trouble – having this on my desk at my breederific workplace would do the trick nicely.
Steve
/ December 29, 2011Simple. I don’t have very many books about being childfree and I’d love to have some more ammo when the bingos come my way.
Lisbeth
/ December 29, 2011I would like a copy of your book because I don’t own any childfree books and would like to explore deeper this topic. I decided to become childfree 2 years ago and I feel like I still have a lot to learn about this exciting world of the Childfree.
Yahtzee
/ December 29, 2011I am conflicted about having/not having children and am hoping this book will help me find some clarity around the issue.
EvilV
/ December 29, 2011I’m childfree forever. I read tons of articles and I would love to have a book on the matter.
Katherine
/ December 29, 2011I have decided to be childfree, and would love to read your book.
Christina Hood
/ December 29, 2011I want a copy of the book because I thoroughly enjoy your well thought out comments on the TCFL. If the book is anything like your comments and blog I would love to have a copy.
Yolanda
/ December 30, 2011I want a copy so that I can pass on your ideas to others.
Jamie
/ December 30, 2011I would like a copy of your book because it sounds like a great read to start off my new year. I’ve been reading nearly everything about being childfree for about a year and I would like to read a book on the subject. I also think the book would be nice to display.
Nicole Ross
/ December 30, 2011I like to read the work of fellow childfree writers. If I win, I’d like to pass on my copy to my local library, in hopes that it might help someone reach a decision or reassure them that they aren’t alone.
Brandy
/ December 31, 2011To proudly display upon my bookshelf :)
Eat the Yolk
/ December 31, 2011You’re a good writer. I dig your blog. I’m also a woman of a certain age–the age when my biological clock is supposed to be tick, tick, ticking away. Instead, it’s still in hibernation. Or perhaps it ran out of batteries long ago. But I have always sensed that having children isn’t for me and I am in a place where I’d like to read something that might make me feel like it’s OK not to have ‘em.
Sylvia D. Lucas
/ January 30, 2012Maybe you never had a biological clock (and why is it this clock always has something to do with reproduction? I’d like to re-identify it as ticking down to other things… ).
Molly
/ December 31, 2011I would like a copy of your book because I am still hoping on and off the fence. It gets exhausting!
Tiia-Mari
/ December 31, 2011Hope to win a copy, I really need one!
Robyn
/ December 31, 2011Hello. I have Borderline Personality Disorder and am a survivor of sexual abuse. I am about to turn 30 and after years of therapy I am finally beating the disorder, my symptoms are down, and after hard work, I think I will be rid of this condition by the end of this next year. All my life I have disliked children, and even while growing up I never wanted to be a mom. People would tell me im a bad person, and many did not want to be my friend. I had alot of guilt over this and thought it was a bad thing, part of my condition. I did not realize Until I found and joined the CF forums that I shouldn’t feel guilty anymore, and that it’s actually just a normal lifestyle choice. The ‘No Guilt’ appeals to me and helps me to relate more to the social community and that is why I want the book. Thankyou all and have a wonderful New Years
Sylvia D. Lucas
/ December 31, 2011The contest winners have been announced. Thank you all for your entries and your interest: http://sylviadlucas.com/2011/12/31/contest-winners-announced/