Do I Want to Be a Mom?: A Woman's Guide to the Decision of a Lifetime

by Suzan Erem and Diana Dell

Book Overview

An informative, compassionate guide to the motherhood decision

"...give(s) a sense of what's ahead for new parents." --Baltimore Sun

Many women aren't sure how to best time motherhood in their lives. Others think they may want a child but aren't sure they really want to take on the responsibility. Still others want to be child-free, but they are afraid they will regret the decision later on when it's too late. Do I...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071400745
• ISBN13: 9780071400749
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Food for thought - exactly what I needed

While I understand the other posters claiming this book wasn't substantive enough, I think it's a little ambitious to think a single book might answer such a huge question for anyone. What I loved about this book is that it gave a perspective from multiple women who had faced this decision and allowed me to "ask them for advice" without receiving the judgment I might if I spoke to friends or family. Hearing other women's stories gave me the tools I needed to further think about my own decision. Sometimes we expect all books to be "self-help" problem solvers. This one makes you think, but it doesn't make your decision for you.

Very helpful book!

Of the 3 books I purchased on this subject, this one was the best. It really helped me think things through, while showing all sides. Excellent and I highly recommend!

Good book

It may be somewhat basic, but this book is about helping you open your mind and it allows you to explore the choice of having a child. I feel it doesn't go into a lot of detail because the author didn't want to pressure the choice in either direction. It makes you look at women differently. Makes you wonder how they made up their mind about becoming a mom or not. I think it helps to talk in person to women about things. And reading this book has made me want to talk more openly about this huge choice.

Very Objective

It definitely addressed all the questions floating through my head about whether or not I want to change my life. The only aspect that I didn't care for is that it made termination of the pregnancy such a open choice - I would have preferred a Christian author so that wasn't a factor of discussion. The outline of the book was also helpful because you could skip the chapters that didn't apply to you and not feel like you were missing anything.

Informative and honest

"Do I Want to Be a Mom?" is one of the only books I've ever read that doesn't sugar-coat the role of motherhood. This book points out a lot of things that will most definitely change for women once they become mothers. Topics of discussion include the physical trials of pregnancy, the impact a child can have on a woman's marriage and career, and the realities of what it's like to be responsible for another human life for 18 years. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this book is "anti-motherhood," but it forces you to ask yourself very pointed questions about your lifestyle in order to help you make responsible decisions about your future.