Reviews

Motherhood Missed: Stories from Women Who Are Childless By Circumstance by Jody Day, Lois Tonkin

rachelb36's review against another edition

2.0

I was really excited to find this book, since the topic is not one that's talked about openly very often, but I was disappointed after reading it.

There are stories from 32 women between the ages of 33 and 57. While the author talked about excluding stories from women who have experienced childlessness due to medical causes (infertility) she does include many stories of women who've had miscarriages. Personally, I put the two in the same camp. A lot of the women have also had abortions. Therefore, there were only a couple of stories that resonated with me.

However, it was encouraging to hear that many women feel "freed" by menopause. Unfortunately, I have a ways to go before then!

"I've found menopause to be totally liberating, I love it, because as a childless woman it has taken the choice away, and life is now just what it is; not what it could be. That is a massive relief." -Georgina, p 154

Note: There is some profanity.

alikazaam's review against another edition

4.0

This book couldn’t have come at a better time. Since my divorce, I’ve been struggling with grief over opportunities lost. I’ve most often berated myself over missing my chance to be a mother. While I was in a relationship, I had come to terms with not having children, but a change in circumstance changed my feelings.

This book validated those feelings. The numerous stories of other women who have also remained childless by circumstance have helped me to feel like it is okay to experience these feelings. The reasons women don’t have children vary widely, and so do women’s feelings about it. This collection of experiences is a valuable read for anyone who may find herself childless.