Childfree by Choice Support Groups in India

An eclectic collection of support group spaces across multiple themes.  Limited slots available!

Therapist led | 4-6 sessions | Done in small groups

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Childfree: Yes or No? Support Groups for finding clarity in one of life’s biggest crossroads

Few decisions shape a person’s or a couple’s life as profoundly as the choice of whether - and when - to have children. After all, it’s not just about adding another member to the family; it’s about revisiting careers, routines, finances, intimacy, and one’s very sense of self. Particularly in India, this decision comes with additional layers of cultural expectations, familial nudges, and unspoken timelines. For some people, the question is about if they want children at all. For others, it’s about when - now, later, or never.

No wonder many couples and individuals find themselves feeling overwhelmed. That’s where support groups for deciding whether to be childfree or not come in - a safe, judgment-free space to explore these questions, share anxieties, and gather perspectives before making such a monumental decision.

Interested in multiple groups? Access at 60% off | Valid for 1 yr

What you get:

  • Unlimited Support Groups – Join any eligible group throughout the year at no extra cost.
  • Exclusive Weekly Series – Join our weekly Women/Men Unfiltered sessions on relationships, career, identity, and mental health.
  • 24 Free Peer Calls – Connect one-on-one with other members for support and shared experiences.
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How Support Groups Work

Support groups are simple: a small, intimate gathering of people who come together to share experiences, in the professional guidance of a therapist or clinical psychologist. In these groups, participants can speak openly or simply listen; there’s no pressure to perform or sound “correct.”

The presence of a professional facilitator ensures the space remains respectful, confidential, and constructive. It’s not a free-for-all debate but a guided conversation that encourages participants to reflect on their thoughts and hear how others are navigating similar dilemmas.

How Groups Help

When you hear someone else voice out the same fears you’ve been carrying silently, be it: “I’m worried about my career if I have a baby now” or “I feel guilty because I don’t think I have paternal instincts,” there’s instant relief in knowing you’re not alone.

In families and friend circles, advice can often come infused with biases. Parents may push for grandchildren; friends may encourage you to “just go for it.” A support group, however, offers neutrality. Fellow members aren’t invested in your personal choices; they’re simply there to understand, share, and support. And that difference in perspective can be liberating and enriching.

Why Support Groups Are Uniquely Helpful for Deciding to Be Childfree or Not

1. Navigating Foundational Values

In marriages, it’s imperative that both parties align on whether children are even part of their future or not. Support groups can help individuals/couples negotiate these core questions early on: what does parenthood mean to each of us, why do we want (or not want) kids, and when does it feel right? Hearing diverse experiences can often aid in broadening one’s own thinking.

2. Addressing Women’s Realities

For women, childbearing comes with physical, emotional, and professional implications. Many wrestle with questions like: Will my career stall? Will my partner truly share responsibilities? How will pregnancy change my body? In a society where voicing these concerns can garner judgment and labels like “selfish” or “unmaternal”, support groups offer a rare place to speak freely and feel heard.

3. Acknowledging Men’s Pressures

While women go through the physical labor, men often carry silent financial and emotional pressures. They may worry about being the “sole provider” or feeling sidelined in the newfound intimacy between the mother and the baby. Support groups allow men to talk about these rarely-discussed fears and hear how others may be navigating similar worries.

4. Breaking Cultural and Familial Pressure

In India, the push from parents, in-laws, and relatives to have a baby often comes disguised as “concern.” Struggling couples may even be told that having a child will fix their marriage. Support groups can help people see through such myths, reminding them that a child is likely to magnify existing dynamics instead of repairing them. This can greatly influence the decision of when to have kids (if at all).

5. Balancing Biology and Choice

Biological clocks and fertility anxieties are very real, especially for women in their late 30s and 40s. At the same time, today, reproductive technologies, adoption, and surrogacy provide options that were once completely out of the picture. Support groups for deciding whether to be childfree or not introduce participants to these possibilities, potentially reducing panic and expanding choices. It’s a space that helps you factor in the resources available and limitations in hand, and then reach a well-informed choice - all while being held and supported. In addition, for folks who have been down a tough road involving issues like infertility and miscarriage, the group can serve as a place to gently consider whether to continue attempting conception or finally decide to be childfree.

6. Exploring Readiness

Perhaps most importantly, support groups help in evaluating or cultivating the emotional readiness needed to bring a child into the world. Parenthood is not just about financial stability. It’s equally about one’s mental and relational bandwidth. For instance, some individuals after losing a custody battle, may not have what it takes to be a parent again. Thus, talking openly in a group can help people/couples assess their readiness without guilt or external timelines. 

Who Can Join?

The straightforward answer: anyone.

You might already be in individual therapy and want an added layer of peer support. Or perhaps you’re not in therapy at all but are looking for an outlet to process your thoughts aloud. Some may want to join because they’re curious to try group settings before committing to couples therapy. Others could join simply because they want to know they’re not alone in their dilemmas.

The issue of “childfree: yes or no?” overlaps with many others - career anxiety, relationship conflicts, conscious coupling, even identity questions. Wherever you are on that spectrum, there’s a group that will match your needs.

The SoulUp Approach

At SoulUp, we believe such delicate conversations deserve intimate, carefully held spaces. That’s why our groups are:

  • Conducted online via Zoom for easy access from anywhere.
  • Kept small and intimate, ensuring everyone has space to share without feeling lost in the crowd.
  • Facilitated by experienced therapists or professionals trained in guiding conversations on family, relationships, and life transitions. The facilitators are matched to the topic so that you always feel in capable hands.

Whether you come seeking clarity, companionship, or simply a chance to externalize your inner thoughts, our groups are designed to hold you with empathy and without judgment.

The Weight of a Life-Altering Choice

Deciding whether to have children or not is not just dictated by traditional expectations or biological considerations. It’s a deeply personal choice, intertwined with emotional, financial, relational, and cultural aspects. In India, where external noise is very often deafening, support groups can offer a sanctuary to pause, reflect, and hear yourself more clearly.

Because sometimes, the best way to answer life’s biggest questions is not alone in your head, but together, in the company of those walking a similar path.

FAQs

What are SoulUp Groups?

At SoulUp, you'll meet people who get what you're going through and might be living some of the same realities. People looking for extraordinary conversations, just like you.

✔️ Small group, 6-8 people

✔️ Every meeting led by a world-class facilitator

✔️ Weekly 75-minute online video sessions

What happens in a group session?

While the format can vary as per topic, here’s a flow that most sessions follow

Check In. Participants check-in with each others' feelings and answer the prompt given by the facilitator if any.

Conversation. Your facilitator will guide the group in a free-flowing conversation—with the goal of sharing openly, talking honestly, and deep emotional connection.

Check Out. Participants share what they're taking away from the session.

What am I going to get out of this?

Participants say that they feel heard, understood, more in control, and a feeling that you’ve got people rooting for you. By talking about your emotions and what's going on in your life, you'll realise that you're not alone and get ideas for how to improve your situation.