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Karen Foster
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No Way Baby! Exploring, Understanding and Defending the Decision NOT to Have Children Kindle Edition

by Karen Foster (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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Now updated for 2012! The bookshelves are lined with book after book telling the expectant mother what she has to look forward to once she has finally reached the pinnacle of womanhood and become a mother. But what about those of us who are forgoing this so-called rapturous event? Forty years after throwing off the shackles of a patriarchy that demanded nothing less than marriage and babies from its female citizens, women continue to fall prey to the conventional wisdom that you "grow up, get married and have children." This is just the tip of the melting ice berg. While our planet struggles to maintain the over 6.5 billion humans already ravaging her splendor, women (and men) still encounter discrimination, shunning and constant nagging by family and friends solely because they have decided not to breed another ravenous consumer. In "No Way Baby!" the ongoing objections thrown at the childfree are analyzed, scrutinized, and finally debunked once and for all. With ongoing narrative intertwined with insights from 50+ childfrees living on the front lines, Karen Foster makes the case that it is time to stop obligatory procreation and recognize that childfree adults make a valuable contribution to society - that benefit everyone (even children).
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  1. Print length
    226 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    November 15, 2010
  5. File size
    1273 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karen Foster is a pebble in the shoe of conventional wisdom, shining light on the discrepancies between what we say we should do, what we think we should do and what we do. It all started at the age of 18 when she chucked the traditional college experience and headed to that hotbed of nonconformity, San Francisco. Fortunately, she was too young to know that shouldn't have worked out well, so in her own time, she went ahead and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Clinical Psychology. After years of working in both the non-profit and for profit sectors, Karen realized that there was no profit worth the aggravation of gainful employment. So in the midst of the .com craze, Karen headed north to Portland, where she started her own business as a speaker and a coach. Today Karen travels around the US as a professional development trainer where she encounters all sorts of interesting people who continue to be amazed by her unwillingness to breed (or do lots of other things so-called 'normal' people do.) She still lives in Portland.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004CFB7OW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace (November 15, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 15, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1273 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1439268568
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Karen Foster

Karen Foster

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Karen Foster was on vacation in Florida when she was notified her daughter, Bonnie, died in a hiking accident. As a reserve police officer, and former TV reporter, Karen leaped into action to find her 18 year old daughter's killer. First, she had to convince the Alaska State Troopers, the media and the community that it was murder.

The book chronicles the 17 years of hell the family went through. The killer, Kenneth Dion, was identified after 12 years, at which point Karen fought for changes in the collection of DNA on all felony arrest laws. Justice for Bonnie is a collaboration of Karen's experiences and I.J. Schecter's skilled writing.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

J Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2012
Verified Purchase
I just finished reading the revised 2012 version of this book. I've seen the thousands of books about becoming a parent, so wow ... what a change of thinking this book provides. I'm actually a parent of one, but was ambivalent about kids most of my adult life and have been feeling a little guilty about not wanting to add a second child to keep the first one company. There's a lot of pressure by family and society to do that! But trying to parent, work, spend time with friends/family and manage a household is much harder than I ever thought it would be. Raising kids was probably a lot easier when we lived in villages and a lot more practical with a farm to work. Fast forward to 2012 with over-population, long commutes, 2 working parents, expensive childcare and the fact that kids are A LOT of work to raise well and it starts making less sense to have kids esp. if you're on the fence. Of course, I adore my child, but I wish I had read a book like this before I let the pressure of family and society convince me that having kids was my duty. I know now that my duty is to live a wonderful life, to be a great person and to experience the joys of love and relationships. Kids aren't the only path to all those things. And now I understand there are A LOT of childless by choice people out there. Who knew! So I'm more empowered to say no to future kids.

Bottom line: If you need a new, honest perspective on what's great about being childfree and the not-so-fuzzy-and-sweet realities of kids (as in what % actually care for their parents in old age or how much it costs to raise a child in the middle class) this is an informative, entertaining read.
14 people found this helpful
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Pernille Frandsen
5.0 out of 5 stars I did not get that part of her at all- both she was more than friendly to me- she really showed love and conection to me and my
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2015
Verified Purchase
When I grow up I had a step mom I never understood! She was always saying: I does not want kids! I did not get that part of her at all- both she was more than friendly to me- she really showed love and conection to me and my little brother! She loved us and we loved her- even when she always was saying she did not want kids. Both after I'm growing up an got me own kids I was wondering- how can a mom say this and mean this to her kids: I do not want kids? I did not do more about it, before my own daughter got 8 years old and she started saying the same thing. I was disappointed that she will not bring me any grandkids. Both after I read: No way baby- I can accept why me daughter have taking that decision in her life. I can say now: My daughter have a choice off deciding to have kids or not if she decides not to have any- then I can be an grandma for somebody else kids and also she does not take a no kid decision for disappointing me- actually she does it for a reason- you will find in the book- read it, read it, read it now!
One person found this helpful
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Patricia Gibbs
3.0 out of 5 stars Too political
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2013
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I purchased this book to learn more about why other people have chosen not to have children. I don't have any and that was my choice. I wanted to learn how to more effectively respond to some of the harsh criticism I have received from others as to why I don't want children. I thought the first few chapters were good but then the author started getting into a lot of political reasons why those without children aren't supported and also political reasons for not having children. I didn't care for those segments. That wasn't what I was looking for in this book. It also was clear which side of the political aisle the author is on. I wasn't interested in that either. I can understand injecting some political background and some opinions, but I wondered after a while what the author's objective was in writing the book--was it to explain a childfree life or to assert her political points of view. I did learn some good things though and there were parts I enjoyed.
One person found this helpful
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Lorna M
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for anyone, refreshing and enlightening!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2011
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If the eye-catching cover makes you think this is a book for child-haters you'd be wrong. This book has something for everyone, including many laughs, after all we've all been children, if not parents. An easy read with open and honest quotes from childfree people (those who have chosen not to have children) that help the reader see the normal human behind the `controversial' life choice. For the childfree the book will help them realise they are far from alone, no small feat in an increasingly child-obsessed world. It will also help explain what is behind the negative reactions childfree people receive, wisdom that is beneficial to the childfree and to those who may not realise the hurt they are causing their own loved ones.

Using facts the author calmly debunks the myths surrounding the childfree life (e.g. They hate children, they're selfish, will be unhappy in old age, or are denying their duty). Refreshingly she highlights the many benefits that we all (particularly children) receive from having childfree people within our midst.

What I didn't expect of the book is that I would recommend it to prospective parents. But while discussing the choice to be childfree and how society treats childfree people the book manages to give a far better idea of the emotional and practical realities of parenthood than will be heard in the media or from parents (notoriously they wait until after the birth to divulge the less pleasant aspects of parenting). While it's not the aim of the book, a handy side effect is that reading it will better prepare people for parenthood.

A great read and particularly fun to pull out in public if there are children running wild!
25 people found this helpful
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Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite "Childfree by Choice" books!
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2011
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I am am member of several groups on Facebook that share this belief and many of the members are disappointed by the small number of books on the subject. I bought about 10 books about the choice to remain child free from Amazon.com and this is one of my favorites. Some of the books come from a psychological/sociological perspective or try to give a statistical breakdown of the child free. These books are informative but also pretty boring. Some other books try to use a humorous approach but the advice given in the books is not something that anyone can take seriously when trying to deal with other people. Karen Foster did a great job of combining all these elements in a way that is interesting, informative, funny, and useful. She covered the topic from every angle. Now when I meet people online looking for a good book about being childfree I recommend this one. I even got a copy that was signed by the author!!
5 people found this helpful
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