Book Review: Baby or Not?

I just finished reading this short e-book which I think you would be interested in.

Baby or Not: Making the Biggest Decision of Your Life by Beth Follini, 2013. This 76-page Kindle e-book by the woman who writes the Baby or Not blog needs a little editing, but the content is helpful for anyone trying to decide whether or not to have a baby. Its chapters include: the effects of having children on career and finances, situations where one’s partner doesn’t want children, co-parenting and foster parenting, the decision to be childfree, and having a child as a single parent. Follini, who lives in the UK, is a life coach who specializes in helping people make the baby-or-not decision. This book offers solid information on the options and a step-by-step process for figuring out what you want to do.

 
Follini includes a whole chapter on what to do if you want a child but your partner doesn’t. Often it isn’t that the partner has made a clear decision against children but that he keeps putting it off or won’t talk about it. It may also be that the relationship has other problems. Or perhaps the one who wants children has not been clear about what she wants and needs. Follini asks questions to help people sort this out. Is he firm in his decision not to have children? Will you stay with him anyway or will you leave in the hope of finding someone else who is willing to be a parent? The answers may be difficult to face, but in the end, it might be better to know than not so you can make a decision and move on. 

I have long maintained that couples need to talk about this issue in depth, not in quick asides and assumptions. I didn't do that. Too insecure to stand up for myself, I let the men in my life make the decision by default. Don't do what I did. Figure it out before you run out of eggs. 

Sharing our childless stories

I have been reading a new book from Australia called Childless: Reflections on Life's Longing for Itself by Gillian Guthrie. Here's an article about it called "Grieving for the Child She Never Had," published in the Brisbane Times. Gillian had two bad marriages to guys whose problems made them bad candidates for fatherhood. By the time she found the man she'd like to make babies with, she was too old. Familiar story? She tells it well. My book won't be out until next month, so you have time to read this one. I'll provide a full review when I finish.
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I got a note from a Canadian journalist who is writing a series of articles about women who delayed motherhood, thinking they'd have children later, then found they were unable to conceive. She's looking for women, preferably Canadian, who would be willing to share their stories. If you're interested or know somebody who would be, contact Lia Grainger at liagrainger@gmail.com.
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I found an amazing list of childless/childfree women who have done great things at Pinterest. The list might make you smile.
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Finally, I have realized that you ought to know that you can keep up with me on a daily basis if you "friend" me at Facebook, where I'm @suelick.