Life Without Baby

filling the silence in the motherhood discussion

The Mother of All Dilemmas

I’m so pleased and proud today to announce the publication of a new book by a beloved member of our childless-not-by choice community. 

Many of you will know Kathleen Guthrie Woods through her work on this site, in particular her columns “It Got Me Thinking…” and “Our Stories.” In her new book, The Mother of All Dilemmas: Dreams of Motherhood and the Internship that Changed Everything she finally shares her own story. 

Her Story

In this memoir with a message, Kathleen explores the realities of being a 21st century woman raised to believe she could have it all and do it all. Single and approaching forty, with the siren song of motherhood growing louder, she must consider the option of having a baby without a mate. When she’s given the opportunity to spend two weeks caring for her fifteen-month-old nephew alone, she gains first-hand experience of the realities of solo parenting while trying to maintain her livelihood as a self-employed freelance writer. What follows is a hilarious adventure into single motherhood, and the heartbreaking realization that she can’t do this alone. 

If you know Kathleen’s work, you’ll know this book is funny and heart-wrenching. But it’s also so much more. Through research and interviews with other women about their own paths towards—or around—motherhood, Kathleen shines a brilliant light on the assumptions surrounding women who “choose” to remain childless. With sharp insight and deep compassion, she uncovers the decisions and trade-offs women make, and the losses and heartbreaks that accompany them. The result is an eye-opening and thought-provoking exploration of modern womanhood.

A Fierce Supporter

For the past decade, Kathleen has supported the work of many of us in the infertility and childless-not-by choice community. Through her own writing and her thoughtful and supportive comments on this, and other, blogs and social media sites, she has helped many of us through difficult patches on our own journeys. I hope you’ll join me in supporting her on her journey and congratulating her on this amazing achievement.The Mother of All Dilemmas: Dreams of Motherhood and the Internship that Changed Everything is available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.

You can find Kathleen and her work on Facebook and Instagram, as well as on her website, kathleen-ink.com.

Comments

  1. Hi Kathleen – wonderful to see your face again – I still have LWB on my favourites and find myself checking every now and again for a post. What a lovely surprise. I will check out your book and pages on your site. I haven’t forgotten the help you and Lisa gave when I first told my story on LWB. I look forward to your insights through your story.
    Best regards
    Jane xx

    • Oh, Jane, how nice to “see” you again! I hope the book entertains and inspires you, and helps you reach the next level of acceptance on this journey we share. Best to you, xoxo Kathleen

      • Thank you Kathleen – I look forward to reading it, I don’t feel I’m finding acceptance in quite the way I hoped. I think my status currently is “I remain somewhat at peace but mostly not”!
        All the very best to you
        Regards
        Jane

        • Hi Jane,
          It’s lovely to see your name pop up again. I really hope you are doing well. Thanks for continuing to be so supportive of LWB and Kathleen’s work.
          Very best wishes,
          Lisa

  2. Congratulations on the book, Kathleen! I just finished reading it this week and loved it! It’s a great addition to the childless-not-by-choice reading shelf.

    • Hi loribeth,
      I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed Kathleen’s book. I agree it’s a wonderful addition to that shelf that is slowly expanding!
      Nice to see you again here.
      Warmest wishes,
      Lisa

    • Yay! And thank you! It’s an honor to share the shelf with such wise women. I love how we continue to lift each other up. Best to you, Kathleen xoxo