Boarding the Baby Boat - A guide to the Baby Decision

by Imogen Barnacle

A self-help book for women struggling with the baby decision. Along with exploring common fears and concerns surrounding motherhood, the author provides honest and real-life insight into her journey from being 99.9% sure she didn’t want children, to happy, proud mother. By presenting important information, posing thought-provoking questions and speaking openly about the fears, doubts, and joys motherhood brings she provides a real look at this modern day dilemma.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2015

About the author

I am a human resources expert turned author, blogger and website CEO. I was born in the UK a before my family migrated to Australia. I

I have a background in human and social services and worked in the industry for 15 years. I have most recently been employed by the a major University in the Faculty of Science (predominately Biological Sciences) where I worked for more than ten years.

I am a lover of life ... Of learning … Of understanding how the world feels to other people. Through my books, blog posts and parenting website babyboat.com.au I aim to provide mums, mums-to-be and those still deciding about children, with friendly and practical parenting and pregnancy advice, tips and real world support and information.

I have an appreciation for all things that inspire or make us feel normal … And love anything that is cute, stylish, delicious or ridiculous –as long as it makes me smile.

Not too long ago the biggest decision I made on a daily basis was whether my wine would be red or white, but now as a busy mother of two, I find my days are too short, and my nights not long enough.

My current book Boarding the Baby Boat was released in mid 2015, and I am in the midst of starting my next. Happy Days and Peaceful Nights.

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had babies at the back of my mind for a while so when I stumbled across this book; I thought I would give it a read. What I enjoyed most about this book was that the author was very much like me, (a career woman, with a busy social life and a happy marriage). A woman that liked the idea of having a family but was worried about how having one would affect her life.

Having a good mix of factual information and personal experience I found this book to be very helpful. The book covered most of the questions that 'I' and most potential parents have, and I found it useful to hear not only the facts, but a real view from a real person who had been in my shoes, and understood my doubts and fears about having a baby.

Her story and some of the questions she posed throughout the book have helped me look at this decision in a fresh new way. And I think it is definitely time for me and hubby to stop procrastinating and have 'that' talk.

A good book if you are trying to decide whether or not to have a baby.

[Sarah Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one woman's experience. As such, it is valuable and interesting - particularly if you can relate to the indecision around starting a family - but it's not really general enough to be a guide to making the decision, and I guess no book could be, as it's such a personal thing. One thing that irritated me was that, despite pointing out that traditional hetero/patriarchal gender roles are no longer the be all and end all, she spends the rest of the book painting that very picture as the norm; anyone who wants to believe in something different will be disappointed by this book.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down to earth and easy to read.

Provides different perspectives to allow each reader to make their own decision rather than attempting to influence the decision.

There are two different parts to the book:
1. information presented and questions answered and asked.
2. a diary of Imogen's thoughts and observations as she struggled to make up her mind on the issue, and then her experience of jumping on board.