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EllenL.Walker,Ph.D.

Complete Without Kids: An Insider's Guide to Childfree Living by Choice Or by Chance | Ellen L. Walker

CuriousG

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

30 book recommendations in 30 days...

Day 25: As a person who decided by the age of 25 to get my tubes tied and not be a parent, I have heard the choice referenced as all of the things in this title, when in fact it is anything but as it allows me to give more of myself to my students. I didn't connect with all the perspectives in this, but they were all valuable and I think it should be required reading for everyone. #30recsin30days

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britt_brooke

I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids | Jen Kirkman

pan

⭐️⭐️ I usually enjoy books from Chelsea Lately‘s “Round Table” alum. I fully respect those who are child-free by choice, and would never try to convince them otherwise, so it‘s shitty that Jen has repeatedly experienced such awkward, inappropriate encounters. It‘s also shitty that she attacks mothers‘ bodies as a defense. So what if I have a c-section scar? I also have two beautiful sons. You are not better than me; I am not better than you. ⬇️

Cinfhen

britt_brooke ⬆️ Jen is a funny comedian, and I‘m not easily offended, but use as much care with others as you require yourself. (edited) 3y

Cinfhen Fantastic review!!! And HELL yeah!!!!! You have TWO BEAUTIFUL boys 💚💚 this one sounds like a pass for me 3y

britt_brooke @Cinfhen Thank you!! 🥰 I always liked her, and I still do, but this was really disappointing. Definitely a pass. I grabbed it a while back on audible sale, but I should‘ve skipped it, too. 3y

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vivastory This book sounds obnoxious, although the title makes me laugh 3y

britt_brooke @vivastory It‘s a good title! 😂 3y

lynneamch Better to read Ann Patchett's essays "There Are No Children Here" in her new collection

These Precious Days

britt_brooke @lynneamch Yes! I have - and loved the entire collection, too. 💚 3y

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CaitlinByTheBook

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

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Finished this one and really enjoyed it. Good to read from people who chose not to have children for a variety of reasons. I found a few portions of essays pretentious so I gave it 4⭐️

IuliaC I've got it on my list too 😊 3y

SamAnne Stacked. I‘m childless by choice. Child bearing wasn‘t my true path. (edited) 3y

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Twainy

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

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🎧 So I loved the introduction, it was an awesome summarization. Someone here turned me on to this book, I hope you know who you are. Thank you!

I really enjoyed the multiple points of view from people who chose not to have children. So many honest, funny and true opinions and stories.

⭐️⭐️⭐️5/6

25 likes

Megabooks

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

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This anthology shares 13 women‘s and 3 men‘s experiences of being childfree, and how those people fill any desires they have to nurture. There are doting aunts and uncles, committed teachers, abortions, miscarriages, people who never found the right partner, and people who always knew. There were two stories, one from a historical perspective and one personal, that I connected with most. Highly recommend this #audiobook!! 4.5⭐️

squirrelbrain Sounds like a good read - stacked! 4y

Bookish_B I‘ve had this on my shelf for years! I really must get to it. 4y

Megabooks @squirrelbrain it was! I hope you enjoy it! 4y

Megabooks @Bookish_B 👍🏻👍🏻 4y

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Megabooks

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

Finally decided what I want to read after several false starts. Thanks for putting this on my radar @NatalieR

#childfreebychoice

Hooked_on_books It‘s terrific 4y

Cinfhen 🤞🏼🤞🏼 4y

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books it is. I feel like she took a lot of different perspectives. I‘m sort of fascinated by the whole pregnancy thing, but once they‘re born, I enjoy looking at pictures. I‘d generally rather hang out with my friends sans kiddos. Around here where most people have them, I do a lot of lunches, coffees, and walks while the kids are at school. I‘m also the friend you take to look at furniture or cars or other things that adults only. 4y

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Megabooks @Hooked_on_books especially since I also choose to be partner-free that‘s also a bit weird around here. I have one other friend who has never married or lived with anyone, but I wouldn‘t say I‘m you‘re typical 40 year old here! 4y

Megabooks @Cinfhen this book is working out and I‘ve also started the one I‘ll tag, which has been knocking around moves since 2010!

How To Lose Friends And Alienate People: A Memoir

Hooked_on_books I never wanted to be anyone‘s mother. So many people used to tell me, “oh, you‘ll change your mind.” Um, no. It‘s not for me. I still sometimes get odd or sad looks from people about it, which I find bizarre since it was a definite choice. And I agree—I love how she combined people with lots of different reasons for not having kids. It gives the reader a better idea of the breadth of the real circumstance. 4y

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books exactly. That‘s one of the reasons I enjoy anthologies on subjects like this. (Diverse opinion ones.) I have four essays left. For me as well there was no drama around the decision. I made it definitively at 24 and haven‘t ever wavered or been wistful/upset, but it‘s always good to hear others‘ reasons, and for those who feel the need to nurture, how the have fulfilled that desire. 4y

CuriousG I thought this book was amazing- so many different stories/reasons that I appreciated hearing. I'm child-free by choice and can't imagine life any other way. I love all the littles in my life, but glad it isn't my responsibility to actually raise them! 4y

NatalieR Oh yay! From your comments, it seems like you‘re enjoying it. I celebrate you and knowing what you want (or don‘t want) for your life. 🥳 4y

Megabooks @CuriousG exactly!! I respect both decisions, as they are definitely personal, but as my childbearing years come to a close, I am 💯💯 happy with my decision. 4y

Megabooks @NatalieR I did!! I finished it in just over a day. Thank you! It‘s good to look at a range of experiences. 4y

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NatalieR

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

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16 writers share openly about their intentional decision to be child-free. The authors are predominantly women, which is fine with me; I obviously found them more relatable. IMHO, this topic is still not widely discussed so I appreciate learning about the experiences of others. #MountTBR

MsMelissa It‘s amazing how people judge others for their choosing not to have children. My husband and I experienced similar judgement since we decided to only have one child. It‘s nobody else‘s business. 4y

NatalieR @Book_Fiend_Melissa I totally agree! Judgment is so easy for people to impose on others; it‘s unfortunate. I‘m an only child and have been judged for that throughout my life. 4y

valeriegeary I read this one a couple years ago and really enjoyed it! 4y

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Twainy Just recommended the book to my library ... come on Overdrive!! 😁 4y

NatalieR @valeriegeary Awesome! 😀 4y

NatalieR @Twainy Nice! Keeping my 🤞for you! 😀 4y

Hooked_on_books As a childless by choice person, I loved this book. I also get frustrated by the fact that it‘s found acceptable to ask people why they don‘t have kids, but if you are to ask someone why they do have kids, they get quite offended. Yet it‘s the same question. 4y

NatalieR @Hooked_on_books I agree completely and have had the same experience. Such a double standard. 4y

CuriousG I have read this book several times and always find new little takeaways from it. I'm childless by choice and often feel it is expected that I justify my choice. Seems strange as most times people are not asked to justify the choice to have children 🤔 4y

CuriousG Not to mention the condescending comments about how 'you've never experienced true love until you have a child of your own'. Ugh. 4y

NatalieR @CuriousG Very true! The decision regarding having or not having children is personal and not something anyone needs to justify. In regards to your second comment, I have been told repeatedly that my four-legged kid (dog) is treated better than some people treat their kids. I completely disagree with the ‘true love‘ opinion. 🙄 4y

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keshar

Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids | Meghan Daum

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Trying to look my self as in the mirror.....😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

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