Childfree Purpose 2

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(online photo)


Continuing from yesterday, here are a few more ideas of how a couple without children can uniquely spend their time and resources. This is not to prove a childless couple's worth based on what they can DO, or to grapple for any excuse to legitimize their life, but to stir ideas in case you need some.


11. Adopt a family- find a single parent family or poor family in your area to bring food and gifts to on the holidays or during hard times. Example: One couple without children that I know bought Christmas lights and a tree for a single mother with two autistic children and took the time to decorate the family's house.
12. Move to another country to teach English together
13. Collect donations or hold a fundraising party to support your favorite charity
14. If you have them, invite your nieces/nephews over for a weekend of super fun aunt-uncle time (and so their parents can go on a date!)
15. Join a Clean Stream crew to clean up local waterways
16. Foster rescue pets (or foster children)
17. Work. Yes, you read that right. Work is meaningful! If you don't believe me, imagine what would happen if all of the restaurant workers, engineers, sanitation workers, teachers, artists, and business people stopped working. People with or without children make a difference through designing hospitals, healing sick people, teaching children and adults. Devote your extra time to writing that book, playing music, creating art.
18. PLAY! Without your own children, you can be intentional about learning to play as adults and draw others, children or fellow grown-ups, into a life of play. Animals and humans play, but human adults sometimes need to be reminded that play is part of our purpose. (Read my Frolic Friday posts for ideas)
19. Endeavor to be environmentally conscious in other ways besides not adding to the world's population. Contribute to the preservation of a favorite plant or animal species, recycle, garden, eat organic food, build your house from sustainable materials etc.
20. Spend daily uninterrupted time in prayer together praying for the needs of the saints and your friends.

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