Customer Reviews

But I Don't Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy!: The Complete Sourcebook for Starting (and Re-Starting) Motherhood Beyond 35 and After 40

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This encouraging, uplifting book is is written by a woman who became a mother to a gorgeous Russian-born boy later in her own life (a photo of the two of them is on the back cover; he is a cutie). The book is better-suited to someone who is thinking about becoming a mother rather than for someone who is pregnant or has otherwise decided to become a mother. It is a supplement to, but not a substitute for, a good pregnancy guide -- it doesn't have pictures of what your belly will look like at any given time or what to do about morning sickness & such. The author emphasizes the positive aspects of older motherhood -- the wealth of experience we have, how healthy we are, how patient & self-confident we are, the advantages we can give to our children, how having children keeps us young. She provides a list of 32 questions to thing about before you decide to embark on motherhood -- they're all thought-provoking & well worth spending time on. She includes quotes from a number of older mothers (and stepmothers) discussing the experiences. She discusses ways of becoming a mother (the old standard, infertility treatments, adoption, surrogacy, even step-parenting). One thing I particularly like about the book is the author's focus on maternal health & fitness -- for the child's sake. Twenty-something-moms may take their own youth & health for granted in a way that we forty-something-moms can't really afford to do. Overall, a good resource, particularly for those contemplating later-in-life motherhood.

If you're looking for what the title of this book promises, look at Sheila Kitzinger's "Birth Over Thirty-Five" instead, a sensitive and far-ranging exploration of many, many issues of interest to the mature woman who is pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.

Nagle's book is NOT, by any means, a "complete sourcebook for starting (and restarting) motherhood beyond 35 and after 40." It would be better billed as a sourcebook for information about a wide range of super-high-tech methods for getting pregnant. That is the topic of the bulk of the book. Emphasis is definitely on the high-tech. The existence of natural, holistic approaches is given cursory mention only.

This book is not about humor, or girlfriend-to-girlfriend banter. It states all the facts before, during, and after the decision to tackle motherhood beyond the conventional age. There are resources and facts about fertility options, adoption (the author and her husband adopted a child from Russia) and all the other challenges to be faced. It is very honest about the pros and cons of late-life motherhood, the risks and the rewards, and it is good to have all this information in one volume, rather than having to hunt for the information elsewhere.

This book covers literally everything I wanted to know about becoming an "older" mom. It's what every woman in my position would need to think about and know about.Fertility is only a part of this book (I find too many other books for women in this age group focus only on fertility and pregnancy when there is so much more to consider: for instance, would we have to move? Give up my job? There is a huge section on career options including being a stay at home mom). This book covers every possible other way to become a mom -- from adoption (Nagle adopted a boy), surrogacy, even a foster mom which no other book even considers. The book is also loaded with questions to consider about motherhood after 35, and talks with a lot of humor and warmth about what life is really like after later motherhood becomes a reality. There is lots of practical great information. Nagle is realistic and very positive. You can tell she loves being a mom. It is a book written for women: mothers to be and mothers to be again, even though dads are considered in passing. It's a great resource.

This book has lots of info I never thought about. I am in my mid-40s and for the first time I am thinking about becoming a mother. This book helps me think with my head as well as my heart and try to plan for my life. I also realize that becoming a mother is more than just worrying about getting pregnant (you know, can I/can't I?). Parenting a child is what it's about, no matter how I get there (like adoption). Nagle is vey encouraging without overselling. She also doesn't pretend to be an expert on fertility. If you are thinking about becoming a mother in your late 30's or more, this is the book.

I've read a few other books for women in our age group trying to become mothers, and they all say practically the same thing. I agree, this book is different and very, very, very complete without being prejudiced or insisting you do it her way! She also writes a weekly column on parenting called Parenting in a Nutshell that also has lots of info. Great Book!!

This book is different from others I have read on this subject; it is full of useful, hard core information, not just opinions. I highly recommend it for any woman in her late 30's or older who is considering becoming a mom for the first time. The book gives you a lot to think about!

As a soon to be 40+ mom (hopefully) I read this hoping for support and guidance. Although there is a lot of info. in the book and I'm sure it's all true, I felt it a little on the pessimistic side. If I weren't so determined and strong minded, I might be really put off the whole idea of trying for a baby after reading the negative stuff. Good source for stats, though.

I highly recommend this book for anyone thinking of becoming an "older mother". This book is incredibly complete. I especially like all the questions to ask yourself. It will help you answer questions you didn't even know you had!

I purchased this book when at age 40 I learned I was pregnant for the first time. I was hoping it would address medical and psychological issues with becoming a mother at this age but rather I found a meandering discussion about adoption, surrogacy and infertility. Its more of a vague discussion of options to consider if you are thinking about becoming a mother past age 35. If you are in fact pregnant or have a child coming this book provides precious little insight.

A much better book is Your Over 35 Week by Week Pregnancy Guide by Dr Shanahan