94. Amrita Vijay on When Platonic Life Partners Have a Child

In this episode of the podcast, Keltie speaks with creative director, producer, musician, and writer, Amrita Vijay, about her decision to have a child with her platonic life partner, Andrew.

You'll hear about: Why Amrita never wanted kids — and what made her change her mind

How Amrita and her gay best friend, Andrew, decided to become co-parents

How her and Andrew's unique relationship allows them to challenge traditional gender roles — and the pressures and expectations that still exist as a straight-presenting "couple" (who aren't actually a couple)

The importance of questioning societal expectations around marriage and family — and how doing so, can create new ways of having kids and experiencing family What Andrew and Amrita's co-parenting relationship entails, and how they're navigating dating, future partners, and living arrangements

(0:46) Meet Amita and her Kids or Childfree decision (12:00) (15:00) Deciding to have a kid with her platonic life partner (28:41) Gender norms in parenting in a platonic relationship (39:49) Legal and logistical framework (52:04) Navigating outside opinions (1:05:14) Reflections on parenthood Mentioned in this episode:

Find Amita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vijayandstephens

Her and Andrew's website is: emergencycontacts.substack.com

Watch Amrita and Andrew's short film, LOOSELY — inspired by their decision to have kids together, and viewable on a private link here: https://vimeo.com/788430913/bc7f928154

Check out Amrita and Andrew's feature on Storyworth, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS_1ZCkQtJU Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series

About Amrita:

Amrita and Andrew are platonic life partners, artistic co-conspirators, and parents to a good baby. We write, we podcast, we broadcast, we produce, we sing, we create collaborative art onstage and onscreen — and, we reimagine family life as platonic co-parents to our son. All of these things contribute to our central vision, where direct, human connection is at the center.

__ MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION Start Here: sign up for an upcoming WORKSHOP 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/workshop Join a GROUP PROGRAM 🔗 Kids or Childfree Group Program ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program 🔗Confidently Childfree Group Intensive ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-group-intensive Access an ON DEMAND class 🔗 Peruse the entire On Demand Collection ▸ https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/ondemand Join one of our monthly SUPPORT SERIES sessions 🔗 Kids or Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-support-series 🔗Confidently Childfree Support Series ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/confidently-childfree-support-series Work with me in 1-on-1 COACHING 🔗 https://kidsorchildfree.com/coaching FREE resources ▸ https://kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources