2006-05-29 Worth a read

I think that most people buying this book will be looking for answers and something to help them feel better about their own unique situation.I was rather looking for a quick fix, something that would make me feel better after the emotional rollercoaster that I had been on. The book doesn't do that, and with hind sight my expectations were unrealistic to say the least. What the book does do is offer personal accounts of childlessnes which was extremely valuable in allowing me to see that I still had some choices and could control certain aspects of my life. It showed me that there was a life beyond children and that I most certainly wasn't the only woman in this position. It helped me to see that any responses and choices that I made (with my husband) were valid as each person's situation is different and that generalisations can not be applied to childlessness. Initially I found the book disturbing as it opened up many questions in my mind, but ultimately, by reading on I was able to reconcile those questions within my self and to realise that despite perceived presure from my family, the choices all lay with my husband and I.I would reccomend this book to anyone who faces the prospect of childlessness, and certainly for friends and relatives who are finding it difficult to deal with in this ardently pro-natal society. I will be lending this book to my mum so that she can understand the sorts of thought proceses and issues facing childless women in today's society, and I hope that it will help her to come to terms with the situation. No quick fix, more of band aid to start the healing process, but well worth reading if only to realise that all responses and reactions are valid and you are not alone.