Savvy Auntie

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47 Reasons Why It's Really, Really Good to Be an Aunt

Melanie Notkin on July 24, 2015

Every aunt knows how fortunate we are to have the love of our nieces and nephews. And we are grateful to their parents, who have given us the gift of aunthood. And so, Auntie's Day is also a time for us to appreciate all really good things that aunthood brings...

Every aunt knows how fortunate we are to have the love of our nieces and nephews. And we are grateful to their parents, who have given us the gift of aunthood. And so, Auntie's Day is also a time for us to appreciate all really good things that aunthood brings...

I have no regrets. I'm living a life I never dreamed of in many respects.

Media

Other's Day

Melanie Notkin on May 12, 2014

The focus on motherhood as success and the norm can make women without children feel less-than, as if they only fully become women once they are mothers.

The focus on motherhood as success and the norm can make women without children feel less-than, as if they only fully become women once they are mothers.

Forgiveness

What I Know About Being Single Now That I'm in My 40s

Melanie Notkin on February 12, 2014

I have come to realize that I'm happy despite the fact that my life did not turn out as expected. Here's why…

I have come to realize that I'm happy despite the fact that my life did not turn out as expected. Here's why…

Relationships

Single and 40: What I Know About Love

Melanie Notkin on November 18, 2013

I've learned that love is no game of musical chairs meant only for lucky ones who find a seat when the music stops. And I know that love lasts as long as you are both willing to remember the music that played when you first met...

I've learned that love is no game of musical chairs meant only for lucky ones who find a seat when the music stops. And I know that love lasts as long as you are both willing to remember the music that played when you first met...

Career

The Truth About the Childless Life

Melanie Notkin on August 2, 2013

The TIME magazine cover story: "The Childfree Life: When Having It All Means Not Having Children," presumes that the decreasing birthrate in America is mostly due to a choice by many modern American women and men to be childfree. But the truth about childless men and women paints a different picture.

The TIME magazine cover story: "The Childfree Life: When Having It All Means Not Having Children," presumes that the decreasing birthrate in America is mostly due to a choice by many modern American women and men to be childfree. But the truth about childless men and women paints a different picture.

Mating

The One Sure Way to Get Married

Melanie Notkin on July 22, 2013

Being single is seen as a chronic problem that needs to be solved and those who just had it solved want to share their secret, i.e. THE secret to finding love and getting married.

Being single is seen as a chronic problem that needs to be solved and those who just had it solved want to share their secret, i.e. THE secret to finding love and getting married.

Humor

Over 40, Single and Childless on Mother’s Day

Melanie Notkin on May 9, 2013

I want to be a mother.

I know what some of you may say: Have a baby on your own; adopt; foster. And a few of you may say: Sorry, lady, you should have thought of that earlier. You're just too old...

I want to be a mother.

I know what some of you may say: Have a baby on your own; adopt; foster. And a few of you may say: Sorry, lady, you should have thought of that earlier. You're just too old...

Cognition

Single and Childless: I Know What You're Thinking

Melanie Notkin on December 15, 2012

The truth about what some people are thinking when they meet a woman like me...

The truth about what some people are thinking when they meet a woman like me...

Friends

Study Uncovers 23 Million Generous Women Society Overlooks

Melanie Notkin on December 1, 2012

One in five American women is a PANK. Collectively, they spend $9 billion dollars annually on children not their own. More than a third of PANKs contribute to a child's education. Yet, half feel overlooked by society. Who are these generous, childless women? A new national joint-study reveals their power.

One in five American women is a PANK. Collectively, they spend $9 billion dollars annually on children not their own. More than a third of PANKs contribute to a child's education. Yet, half feel overlooked by society. Who are these generous, childless women? A new national joint-study reveals their power.

Grief

Single and Childless: Can We Just Move On?

Melanie Notkin on September 26, 2012

I said "never" to having a baby on my own... so why won't they believe me?

I said "never" to having a baby on my own... so why won't they believe me?

Relationships

Why I Choose Love Over Motherhood

Melanie Notkin on August 21, 2012

When you're at the end of your fertility, at the end of the summer, at the other end of an argument you can't win, all you want to do is wait it out...

When you're at the end of your fertility, at the end of the summer, at the other end of an argument you can't win, all you want to do is wait it out...

While Friedan set out to help make women equal among men, Gurley Brown set out to make single women equal among all women...

There are many ways to mother, just as there are ways to find fault with women who are not mothers.

Career

The Single Reason Why We Don't Have It All

Melanie Notkin on June 26, 2012

What if you never get the chance to 'have it all?'

What if you never get the chance to 'have it all?'

Babies are born from the womb. Maternity is born from the soul. There are many ways to mother.

Marriage

Women Over Age 35 Are Having More Kids

Melanie Notkin on April 23, 2012

OK ladies, take a breath. You're not the only ones hoping to have a baby or who have given birth to a second or even third child after your fortieth birthday. In fact, you're part of a growing trend of women who do.

OK ladies, take a breath. You're not the only ones hoping to have a baby or who have given birth to a second or even third child after your fortieth birthday. In fact, you're part of a growing trend of women who do.

Infertility

What Not to Say to Single Women Who Long to Be Moms

Melanie Notkin on February 24, 2012

We all know that going through infertility treatments can be incredibly challenging for couples. But single women who yearn to be mothers go through their own heartache. While their infertility is circumstantial, it can be just as difficult as each month passes...

We all know that going through infertility treatments can be incredibly challenging for couples. But single women who yearn to be mothers go through their own heartache. While their infertility is circumstantial, it can be just as difficult as each month passes...

Motivation

The "Career Woman" Myth

Melanie Notkin on February 17, 2012

Just about everyone is just dying to know: What is she waiting for?

Just about everyone is just dying to know: What is she waiting for?

I have to defend why I'm not a mother when it's all I ever wanted to be.