About.com Rating



I?m not a parent. Nor do I plan on becoming one. But, some friends of mine are considering having a child and I picked up The Lesbian Parenting Book to see what it could offer.

Helpful Resource

A helpful resource guide, The Lesbian Parenting Book offered me insight into things I had not considered. For example, it includes information about homophobia in child birth classes and how to chose a lesbian-friendly physician.


Yet, like any book that attempts to take on such a broad subject matter, it is hit and miss.

Informative Sections

Seventeen chapters cover everything from deciding whether to have children to the role of the lesbian grandmother. The book is divided into two sections. The first addresses issues common to lesbian families, such as coming out, the role of partners and attempts to tackle big issues such as racism and homophobia. The second section of the book offers information about different stages of child development, from prenatal and birth to dealing with adult children.

Pros

The best thing about The Lesbian Parenting Book is the inclusion of vignettes from diverse lesbian parents. Reading about other parent?s experiences shows that there really is no one way to be a parent and that moms need to figure out what works best for their families.

Cons

The authors should have stuck with the unique aspects of being a lesbian parent, because it is here that they shine. Whereas I appreciate their effort in including information on dealing with racism, the chapter simply skims the surface of this deep and complex topic.

The chapter on coming out to your children was informative and I think will be helpful to parents of any age child.