Social worker and psychotherapist Merle Bombardieri shares her judgement-free tips for parenthood decision-making, even when you’re up against an unaligned partner, economic roadblocks, and infertility challenges.

• the number one question to ask yourself when deciding whether to have kids
• how to decide if you should have another kid, plus all of the myths about siblings versus only children 
• the best age to become a parent
• the 3 biggest lies society tells us about having kids
• what to do if you don’t want kids now but you’re worried about infertility 
• how to combat the high cost of having children (+ what to do if you don’t think you can afford them)
• how to factor worries like climate change, our political climate, & illness into your decision 
• how much your relationship ACTUALLY suffers after becoming parents
• how much meaning and purpose childfree people vs parents experience
• exactly what to do if you disagree with your partner on having children (or how many to have)
• if not liking babies means you shouldn’t have one
• and so much more!

For more from Merle, check out her website thebabydecision.com and her book The Baby Decision: How to Make The Most Important Choice of Your Life. Check out the Reddit Fencesitter page here. 

Check out our other Pros & Cons of Having Kids episodes: The Pros & Cons of Having Kids, and The 2nd Pros & Cons of Having Kids Episode: Pooping During Labor, The REAL Cost + Sex & Body Image After Birth

To join the Healthier Together Podcast Club Facebook group, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthiertogetherpodcast.

This episode is sponsored by:

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Healthier Together cover art by Zack. Healthier Together music by Alex Ruimy.