Customer Reviews

Pregnant Pause

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was excited for this book to come out after reading Ms. Friedman's article in Newsweek last year. The book was a delightful page turner. Friedman honestly lets you into her heart and into her head. She gives voice to thoughts that we have all had (or should have had) and is so witty and wonderful that you can't help but feel for her and fall in love with her all at the same time.

And this book isn't just for single gals. I have been married for 8 years. The first 7 of which I was sans child. My husband and I married young and wanted to wait to be financially stable and on a clear career path before starting a family...so we know, first hand, the pain and anguish and irritation that Ms. Friedman details in her book. A must read for new parents, too! As you don't want to even slightly resemble the obnoxious parents she beautifully mocks.

"Pregnant Pause" is a fun read. Truthful, hilarious and sweet. I bought a bunch as baby shower favors. They were a hit!

I first must explain how I happened upon this book. Frustrated with getting a lot of pressure to become pregnant so soon into married life, I wrote a blog entry on my other blog site Tall Tales from a Small Town about this frustration. I was considering titling it "A Pregnant Pause" and googled the phrase to get a good definition. And then I found the book....and my salvation. I ordered it straight away.

I read the book in a day, because it was manna for my soul. Finally, someone understood.

Carrie wrote this book from a very personal perspective, explaining that she did want kids.....eventually. She talks about the fear of parenthood, the fear of how it will change her life as a woman, and the fear that she will become like those total whackado moms out there. You know the ones.

She also raises interesting, and valid points, about questionable parenting techniques that have become pop cultural norms, and offers explanations for why women push their maternal views on other members of their gender.

The thing I loved best is that Carrie gave a voice to thousands of women, probably hundreds of thousands. She made me feel normal, like there is absolutely nothing wrong with waiting to have a baby. It is not selfish, it is not abnormal, it is just the best decision for me.

Thank you, Carrie, for making me feel at home in my identity as a married woman, something I was struggling with. I have recommended that my husband read this as well, since it could have so easily been written by me, to allow him to better understand why I get so frustrated with the cultural baby craze on my behalf.

As a personal note, I did still write my blog on the same topic, and if interested, you can find it here. It is not nearly as brilliant as Carrie's book, but read it, and if you feel the same way, go buy Carrie's book, and spread the word.

As a single parent, a teacher, and a therapist, the world would be a better place if all potential parents and current parents would not only read Ms. Friedman's book but heed her words. A masterful commentary on parenting!

I got a hold of an advance copy and I laughed, I cried, and then nearly peed my pants laughing some more. But what I love most is that Miss Friedman is not a parenting expert and never pretends to be one. Rather, she's a regular person just like any of us, observing things we may have noticed or may have missed, and she writes them in really funny and beautiful ways. Her "internship in parenting" with her dog, Beauregard, is sure to move even the stuffiest reader.

...someone has written a book about this! as a single girl, I get asked about babies AND marriage all the time, or I'm "helpfuly" reminded that my clock is ticking by family or society. awesome, like i didn't know this.
this book is so good. i couldn't put it down and read it in a day and have just ordered a bunch for all my girlfriends - some are married with kids, some no kids, some are single like me. i think they'll all get such a kick out of this great book!!

I don't know if anyones already said this or not, but this is the perfect gift for a future bride as its all about taking that next big leap after you get married, being ready for that leap or not, etcetera. One of my girlfriends gave it to me as a gift-topper at my bridal shower and I read the book in two nights. Liked it alot and think you will to. Can't wait for a sequel!

I overheard my wife laughing her arse off when reading this so I decided I had to read it after her. It's so damn funny and so easy to relate to no matter where you are in life: single, married, with kids or without. My wife and I have three kids under the age of six and we could relate to the fears we felt before having kids and even now that we do have kids. This book should be required reading for anything thinking of starting a family. Genius.

This book made me laugh out loud several times, it's exceptionally funny, and I recognize several of my friends in her characters. If you're closely approaching the age of 30, haven't settled on having kids, and are sick of the pressure of your child-bearing friends to "join the club" this book is for you!!!!

I first read Ms. Friedman's article in Newsweek, and was elated to see that a book spawned from it! She addresses the modern day woman dilemma of past generation pressures to procreate early with a whole lotta facts and humor. Friedman makes you feel like you're out with friends, talking it out over martinis. A great read!

After reading this book, I feel like I know the author and consider her a lifelong friend! She's so honest and vulnerable in her quest to determine whether she truly wants to have children and consider (often hilariously) all the choices one has when it comes to raising kids. All the while, she's pushed and prodded by people who seem to think having a baby is what's right for everyone since it was right for them. As Ms. Friedman makes clear, it's a monumental (and monumentally personal) decision, one that she is giving due diligence. I admire her courage and tenacity in trying to figure out what her own heart is saying, along with her wry take on various parenting styles (she speaks the truth!) and her heartwarming love for her dog (she's already a mom to him, and a good one at that). Any mother or mother-to-be (or possibly someday mother-to-be) will be able to relate and feel less alone during those times when, despite everyone's expectations and questions, they're trying to make smart choices that are right for them. Highly recommend!