Starting a family is a soul-shaping, world-altering experience. Unfortunately, in a culture of competing values and protracted timelines, couples are increasingly backing their way into parenting or missing it altogether. By the time the average couple tries to have kids, they are often beyond their late twenties and surprised to learn they are sliding past the peak of their fertile years. In Start Your Family, Steve and Candice Watters encourage couples to be intentional about their timeline in the early years of marriage and to trust God to help them boldly launch their families. Responding to the most common doubts and hurdles, they offer biblical inspiration for the questions: Why have kids? When is the best time to start? How can we fit kids into our lives?
First you marry a man who does not want children. He cheats and you divorce him. Then you marry the love of your life and find out he does not want to have children with you either. The three he has are more than enough. Although you always wanted to be a mother, you decide he is worth the sacrifice, expecting to have a long happy life together. But that's not what happens. This is the story of how a woman becomes childless by marriage and how it affects every aspect of her life. This is the book of my heart, the one I had to write. Ever since I realized I was not going to have children, I have felt recurring grief and an emptiness in my heart. I am different from most women, but I have found that I am not alone. There are many of us childless women, and I think it's important to share our stories about what it's like when you don't have children in a world where most girls grow up to become mothers. I hope this book offers comfort to those who are childless and understanding to those who are not. If it makes you smile here and there, even better.
"Get this for your pregnant friends, or yourself" (People): a hilariously candid account of one woman's quest to bring her post-baby marriage back from the brink, with life-changing, real-world advice. Recommended by Nicole Cliffe in Slate Featured in People Picks A Red Tricycle Best Baby and Toddler Parenting Book of the Year One of Mother magazine's favorite parenting books of the Year How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids tackles the last taboo subject of parenthood: the startling, white-hot fury that new (and not-so-new) mothers often have for their mates. After Jancee Dunn had her baby, she found that she was doing virtually all the household chores, even though she and her husband worked equal hours. She asked herself: How did I become the 'expert' at changing a diaper? Many expectant parents spend weeks researching the best crib or safest car seat, but spend little if any time thinking about the titanic impact the baby will have on their marriage - and the way their marriage will affect their child. Enter Dunn, her well-meaning but blithely unhelpful husband, their daughter, and her boisterous extended family, who show us the ways in which outmoded family patterns and traditions thwart the overworked, overloaded parents of today. On the brink of marital Armageddon, Dunn plunges into the latest relationship research, solicits the counsel of the country's most renowned couples' and sex therapists, canvasses fellow parents, and even consults an FBI hostage negotiator on how to effectively contain an "explosive situation." Instead of having the same fights over and over, Dunn and her husband must figure out a way to resolve their larger issues and fix their family while there is still time. As they discover, adding a demanding new person to your relationship means you have to reevaluate -- and rebuild -- your marriage. In an exhilarating twist, they work together to save the day, happily returning to the kind of peaceful life they previously thought was the sole province of couples without children. Part memoir, part self-help book with actionable and achievable advice, How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids is an eye-opening look at how the man who got you into this position in this first place is the ally you didn't know you had.
"Deciding yes or not to motherhood can be fraught with confusion, pain, and loneliness. Many a woman is undecided about arguably the most important life-defining decision she'll make in her lifetime. With the 'Motherhood -- Is it for me?' program, the authors of this book, both dedicated and seasoned psychotherapists, created a process that has helped countless women over the last 25 years. Finally available in print, this program is the perfect resource for closely examining ambivalence around this crucial life choice. Through precise steps, readers are guided on their own personal journeys toward deeper understanding and learn what they really want. The process even allows a woman who is experiencing extremely painful immobilization to find her way through to her true desire. The authors know from their professional experience that an analytical pros-and-cons approach often fails to successfully answer this most personal question. Interspersed throughout this book are twenty diverse stories of women who made conscious choices, half deciding yes and half deciding no. Their stories -- and sometimes advice -- create a valuable community that provides support to every reader, breaking the isolation they may feel."--Book cover.
The baby surprise! Clare was an independent career woman—and then her life was turned upside down! Her relationship with Lachlan Hewitt had started out as a business affair, but their passion had resulted in pregnancy. Lachlan immediately insisted they get married, but was this just for the sake of their babies? Clare would do anything to safeguard the future of the twins, but she wanted to marry for love, not convenience. Did Lachlan feel the same? She's sexy, successful…and PREGNANT!
9 MONTHS LATER Another wonderfully emotional story by award-winning author Karen Young. A winner! A marriage of convenience… It made perfect sense. Or so Dr. Talbot Robichaux told Dr. Stephanie Sheldon. Since both had busy hospital practices, their baby would be much better off—and their own lives much easier—if they shared parental duties. Stephanie couldn't fault Tal's logic, but his thirteen-year-old daughter could. Not only was her father marrying some woman she'd never met, but now she was going to have to share his attention with a baby! Stephanie sympathized with the girl, who had no way of knowing the marriage was only temporary. Or was it? Living with Tal, sharing his life and catching the special glances he gave her, Stephanie couldn't help wishing that "temporary" would become "permanent"!
ACCIDENTAL DADS "Will you be the father of my baby?" Jake Roberts was everything Caitlin O'Hara wanted in her baby's father—he was fun, witty and gorgeous. They'd shared every intimate detail of their lives since kindergarten. Why not a baby? Because friends didn't cross that line. No. Caitlin had to find an anonymous donor. But then, late one evening, overwhelmed by the magic of the moment, Jake gave her the night she had wanted ever since forever…and unknown to him, he also gave her the baby. But how was she going to tell him he was going to be a daddy?
Provides advice on all aspects of infant care, from the members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, discussing such topics as behavior, growth, immunizations, and safety.
From a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over 30 romance novels comes a trio of full-length contemporary romances all about Brides & Babies and feel-good emotions. What do readers get with a Mindy Neff book? Small town romance filled with laughter and emotion, tough-guy heroes who are gentle and kind, and secondary characters—both human and animal—who help keep everyone stirred up! Books that touch your heart. Suddenly a Daddy (Secret baby best friends to lovers romance) A Pregnancy and a Proposal (Secret baby second chance at love romance) A Bachelor for the Bride (Runaway bride bad boy romance) Suddenly a Daddy (A True Love Classic: Brides & Babies) You’re going to be a daddy! Wealthy entrepreneur Dylan Montgomery is the kind of man who can take anything on the chin and give as good as he gets in business and in life. But when he finds a note in his tux pocket that says he’s going to be a father, he’s stunned, remembering one impulsive night with the only woman who made him want to give up his bachelor status—his best friend, Whitney Emerson. Fashion designer Whitney knew immediately she’d made a huge mistake sleeping with Dylan, the one man she will not allow herself to have. His friendship is too important to her to jeopardize. After she insists on putting that fateful night behind them, Whitney learns she is carrying his baby. But the timing couldn’t be worse—she can’t bring herself to tell him now that he’s obligated to an upcoming, prearranged marriage that will cement a business merger he’s dreamed about for years. How long can she keep her secret from showing? “Strong, stubborn, lovable, wonderful characters that make for a terrific not-to-be-put-down read.” –Rendezvous “A charmer…absolutely delightful!” –Romantic Times Magazine * * * A Pregnancy and a Proposal (A True Love Classic: Brides & Babies A not so secret baby? Since their impulsive night of passion, widower Flynn O’Grady has visualized countless scenarios of seeing Darcie Moretti again. Never in his wildest dreams did the single dad imagine he would look up during a Daddy Club meeting to see her waddling—er, walking back into his life, pregnant with his child. Darcie knows family is priority number one for Flynn. He’s an honorable man who will insist on marriage. But Darcie wants more than just a “pregnancy proposal.” And she’ll give Flynn four short months to figure out the three little words he need to say. Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award Winner “Neff blends great romance with a deep, serious storyline . . . a truly moving tale.” –Romantic Times Magazine (4 ½ GOLD MEDAL) TOP PICK *** A Bachelor for the Bride (A True Love Classic: Brides & Babies) A botched kidnapping and a runaway bride… Security expert Tanner Caldwell is in the right place at the right time when chaos erupts on the steps of the church. He’s been in love with Jordan Grazer most of his life, even though the debutante is marrying another. But when Jordan is threatened, Tanner whisks the bride away, taking her on the run for her life. Renowned horse trainer Jordan feels safe with her sexy rescuer. In Tanner’s strong arms, she feels full of hope for the first time. There is no secret past, no uncertain future, only a present filled with hand-in-hand walks, sensuous kisses, and long night together. Jordan knows she will have to go home when the mystery kidnapping attempt is cleared up. She is the only one who can save her family from financial disaster—but that means saying goodbye to Tanner and “I do” to another man. “Mindy Neff continues to redefine the parameter of category romance, thus always giving readers a fresh, original and delightful read!” –Romantic Times “Witty, funny story! Splendid!”
Enjoy this bear shifter short story by USA Today Bestselling steamy romance author Summer Cooper! Violence and fear has marred Angel’s life. Now she has escaped to sunny Mexico, healing from the severe physical wounds her husband dealt her. Immersing herself into painting, she has forgone almost all human contact until Felix walks into her life. Felix is sexy and kind, and Angel can use a friend. Felix is taken with the beautiful and fragile Angel. His protective instincts as a bear shifter are aroused by her. But Angel must determine if she can let go of her past and let the enigmatic Felix into her life and her heart, that is, if she can find him. If you enjoy sizzling adult romances with mated mates, next door, alpha male protector, this book is a must-read. Perfect for fans of Lara Adrian, Sherrilyn Kenyon, J R Ward, Alisa Woods, Anna Craig and Mandy M. Roth.
