You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
American women (as well as women in most of the world) are having fewer children these days, for reasons that are varied and not totally understood. But about five percent of American women are defying the trend by having five or more children. Like the Biblical Hannah, these women see their children as “their purpose, their contribution, and their greatest blessing.” And in Hannah’s Children, we get to hear the stories of how and why these fascinating yet often unseen women came to have such large families.
To write this book, social scientist Catherine Pakaluk (herself a mother of eight) interviewed fifty-five college-educated women who were raising five or more (sometimes MANY more) children. Through a series of open-ended interview questions, she explored these women’s reasons for why they chose to have large families and what this choice had come to mean for them as individuals and families, and for our culture at large. While there were common themes in their stories and reasons, each woman offered a unique perspective; together, their answers paint a beautiful portrait of faith, family, motherhood, and purpose. And they speak into our cultural “birth dearth” with unexpected insights into the societal consequences of fewer children, as well as potential solutions for halting plummeting birth rates.
This is such a niche book, and I’m not sure what drew me to it beyond a general (maybe universal?) fascination with larger families. As a mom of four, I’m not quite part of this “big family” demographic, but I have always admired women who are raising multiple children AND I’ve often wondered what leads women like them to have so many kids. Hannah’s Children went a long way in answering my questions and raising my admiration for these women who have sacrificed so much for the sake of their families. I was inspired by these wise, resilient, strong, successful mothers—some of whom set aside enviable careers to raise their children, and others who continue to work outside the home!—and truly blown away by their insights. My only wish is that this book went beyond the reasons for having large families to examine the logistics of their family lives.
Listening to this was a near-perfect reading experience for me. Not only is the subject matter intriguing and the narrator fantastic, but the book came to me at just the right time as I’m still adjusting to life with four kids and feeling differently about my role as a mom. The women in this book were kindred souls who beautifully articulated their attitudes towards children and mothering, giving words to things I’ve felt and haven’t known quite how to explain. While not every woman’s beliefs and attitudes align with my own, I felt such solidarity with the women who explained the interplay between their faith and motherhood; the ways that motherhood has challenged and shaped them; and the rigors and joys of raising children.
Not everyone will appreciate this book that unapologetically celebrates big families while at times disparaging those who have chosen to have fewer children. These women and their stories might cause some readers to scoff at the traditional ideas presented or, conversely, to regret that they do not have large families of their own. After reading I’m surprised to realize I fall into the latter camp; I never wanted more than four children, but the women in Hannah’s Children have me convinced that when it comes to family size bigger really can be better. (For the record, I don’t think that’s in the cards for us but I certainly would be receptive to the idea.) I’m so grateful to the women who graciously shared their stories in this book that renewed my sense of purpose and gratitude for my own mothering journey.
If you’re on the fence about having a big family READ THIS! And if you’re simply looking for stories that celebrate motherhood and help you see the value in your own parenting (regardless of how many children you have), you’ll find that here in droves.
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook (The narration is excellent, highly recommend this format.)
To write this book, social scientist Catherine Pakaluk (herself a mother of eight) interviewed fifty-five college-educated women who were raising five or more (sometimes MANY more) children. Through a series of open-ended interview questions, she explored these women’s reasons for why they chose to have large families and what this choice had come to mean for them as individuals and families, and for our culture at large. While there were common themes in their stories and reasons, each woman offered a unique perspective; together, their answers paint a beautiful portrait of faith, family, motherhood, and purpose. And they speak into our cultural “birth dearth” with unexpected insights into the societal consequences of fewer children, as well as potential solutions for halting plummeting birth rates.
This is such a niche book, and I’m not sure what drew me to it beyond a general (maybe universal?) fascination with larger families. As a mom of four, I’m not quite part of this “big family” demographic, but I have always admired women who are raising multiple children AND I’ve often wondered what leads women like them to have so many kids. Hannah’s Children went a long way in answering my questions and raising my admiration for these women who have sacrificed so much for the sake of their families. I was inspired by these wise, resilient, strong, successful mothers—some of whom set aside enviable careers to raise their children, and others who continue to work outside the home!—and truly blown away by their insights. My only wish is that this book went beyond the reasons for having large families to examine the logistics of their family lives.
Listening to this was a near-perfect reading experience for me. Not only is the subject matter intriguing and the narrator fantastic, but the book came to me at just the right time as I’m still adjusting to life with four kids and feeling differently about my role as a mom. The women in this book were kindred souls who beautifully articulated their attitudes towards children and mothering, giving words to things I’ve felt and haven’t known quite how to explain. While not every woman’s beliefs and attitudes align with my own, I felt such solidarity with the women who explained the interplay between their faith and motherhood; the ways that motherhood has challenged and shaped them; and the rigors and joys of raising children.
Not everyone will appreciate this book that unapologetically celebrates big families while at times disparaging those who have chosen to have fewer children. These women and their stories might cause some readers to scoff at the traditional ideas presented or, conversely, to regret that they do not have large families of their own. After reading I’m surprised to realize I fall into the latter camp; I never wanted more than four children, but the women in Hannah’s Children have me convinced that when it comes to family size bigger really can be better. (For the record, I don’t think that’s in the cards for us but I certainly would be receptive to the idea.) I’m so grateful to the women who graciously shared their stories in this book that renewed my sense of purpose and gratitude for my own mothering journey.
If you’re on the fence about having a big family READ THIS! And if you’re simply looking for stories that celebrate motherhood and help you see the value in your own parenting (regardless of how many children you have), you’ll find that here in droves.
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook (The narration is excellent, highly recommend this format.)
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
slow-paced