The Quiet Truths: Essays on Parenthood’s Unseen Decisions
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My Why
You know that feeling people describe of “our family is complete?” I’ve never had that. Between my own experiences, talking to my friends and my work as a perinatal mental health therapist, I’ve realized we don’t talk about this part of parenthood enough.
The relief some feel when they don’t have to face pregnancy anymore.
The gut punch some experience when someone asks when you’re having another child, knowing deep down you aren’t able to have any more.
The scripted answer of “Our family is complete” when your heart or body says otherwise.
This is my why.
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The Book
I am seeking personal narratives from individuals—particularly women and parents—who have reached the point where having more children is no longer part of their lives, whether by choice, circumstance, or factors outside their control.
This collection brings together honest, nuanced stories that illuminate the many paths people take when their family is complete, and the emotional landscapes that follow. The goal is to produce a nonfiction essay collection which will be available for anyone who would like to read it, including but not limited to individuals struggling with their own processing.
Sharing this kind of story can be vulnerable. You are welcome to change identifying details, use a pseudonym, and skip anything that feels unsafe to disclose.
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Call for Submissions
If you’ve reached a point where having more children is no longer part of your life—by choice, circumstance, health, or other factors—and you’re carrying complex feelings about it, this project is for you.
Submissions are welcome from:
- Parents who have chosen not to have additional children
- Individuals whose ability to have more children was shaped by medical, fertility-related, or health-based limitations
- Women whose reproductive choices were constrained by surgeries, complications, provider decisions, or system-level barriers
- Those who faced external, relational, social, or economic pressures
- Parents of any racial, cultural, socioeconomic, or religious background
- LGBTQIA+ families, single parents, co-parents, blended families, and adoptive families
You do not need to feel certain or fully resolved. Stories of ambivalence, grief, relief, conflict, and clarity are all welcome.
What happens after submission?
You’ll receive an email confirming receipt of your submission
After the deadline (2/28/26), stories will be reviewed over a 2-4 month timespan for possible inclusion in the book.
You will receive an email letting you know whether we would like to include your story in the book.
If we ask to include your story in the book, we will request that you review and sign the contract.
You may withdraw your story at any time prior to the start of the final manuscript layout. We will share this date and timeline as we have a more specific idea.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate in this project, I am collecting submissions through February 28, 2026.
To submit, you’ll need:
Your preferred name for publication (Full name/First name/ Pseudonym)
Contact email
State/ Country of Residence
Narratives of 800–2,500 words exploring:
How you came to recognize that you would not have more children
The personal, relational, medical, or societal factors involved
Emotional experiences—grief, guilt, relief, peace, conflict, identity shifts
Key moments, decisions, or realizations
Interactions with partners, family, culture, and healthcare providers
What it means to live with this decision or circumstance today
Stories may be heartfelt, analytic, humorous, complex, painful, or empowering. Authenticity is what matters.
Your story remains yours. Always.
I appreciate the opportunity to be your microphone and share your story if you let me, and take that responsibility very seriously. At NO point in this process will I ask you to give me ownership of your story or require exclusive rights.
Will I be compensated?
Every individual who enters a complete submission will have a chance of winning one of four $30 VISA gift cards. Winners will be selected and contacted on 3/1/26.
If your story is included in the book, additional compensation will be discussed in the contract.