The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter

by Katherine Ellison

Generations of mothers have been told—and believed—that having a baby means checking their own brains at the delivery room door. “The Mommy Brain” usually refers to a head full of feeding times, soccer schedules, and nursery rhymes, at the expense of creative or challenging ideas. But recent scientific research paints a dramatically different and far rosier picture.Journalist Katherine Ellison draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to demonstrate that, contrary to long-established wisdom that having children dumbs you down, raising children may make moms smarter. From enhanced senses in pregnancy and early motherhood to the alertness and memory skills necessary to manage like a pro, to a greater aptitude for risk-taking and a talent for empathy and negotiation, these advantages not only help mothers in raising their children, but in their work and social lives as well.Filled with lively (and often hilarious) stories of multitasking moms at home and on the job, The Mommy Brain encourages all of us to cast aside conventional thinking and discover the positive ways in which having children changes mothers’ brains for the better.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self Help

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Katherine Ellison is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, former foreign correspondent, writing consultant, and author of four books, including The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes You Smarter. The mother of two sons, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area."

Reviews

[Assel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why I rated the book at three stars:

I came along this book having heard massive positive references from one public Instagram account appealing to a Russian-speaking mothers' audience called selfmama.ru . The narrative was that this is the book that recognises all the challenges and re-skilling mothers undergo as they march on their self-journey, at times, a lonely journey. Being a first-time mother myself, I was intrigued, searched for being recognised and socially approved that at last there was someone who was able to articulate the transformation that the mother is going through. Alas! as I was flipping a page after the page, I was lost, confused, I would often lose author's train of thought. I often caught myself re-reading passages, connecting the central message with the examples and at times inadequate evidence of statistics and other data. On one hand, the book touches upon really true aspects of motherhood starting from neurophysiological changes in the woman's body and brain and progressing to the importance of social networks, of mother's rights in different geographies. However, the evidence the author tries to incorporate lacks its rigour scientific approach. As a result, it led me to question every piece of presented data. Besides, most of the time I was just unable to keep a track of so many names of sources referenced in the book in supporting one statement over another. So at some point I just gave up memorising female eco-activists, corporate leaders, NGO heads, etc.
I wish the book was more than what it claims it is.

[Madina S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had stereotypes about motherhood and was a bit scared of having a child that could change your life and your plans. After reading this book, ​I think Ms. Ellison is right. One's ability to multi-task definitely grows with children. She pulled together information from many, many sources and present a body of knowledge in an easy-to-read and understand format. Rather than thinking that "mothers" make poor employees and are unable to cope because of their "home" responsibilities this book should open eyes. And also showed the advantages of being an involved parent.

[Galen Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the basic premise of this book, the idea that becoming a mother changes your brain and personality in fundamental but largely positive ways. As a scientist I found myself weighing up the thesis and evaluating the evidence objectively and found it lacking. In places the evidence makes sense - the concept that evolutionary genetics drives transformation in the 'postpartum' brain, to ensure multi tasking, risk awareness, sensory vigilance and responsiveness are enhanced. These changes serve the purpose of ensuring survival of the offspring and thus, is a logical assumption. The further premise that these changes then translate into substantive changes in intelligence, improved work performance and enhanced interpersonal capabilities.... For me it felt that this what something the author so desperately wanted to believe, that she overlooked the fact that the 'evidence' was largely anecdotal.. and very personal. nevertheless the idea is inspiring for mothers recovering from baby brain, and working mother chaos, and an eye opener for career women who fear that motherhood might dull their drive and ambition. If it does, then it's not, at least, due to diminished intelligence, it's simply that the happiness that motherhood brings inevitably leads to altering of priorities...

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It always bugs me when people say things like, "Oh, you're becoming a mom? They say you lose 25% of your brain matter with each child! Ha ha ha!" First of all, I know it's a joke, and it's supposed to be funny, but I don't even relate to that enough to think it's funny. If anything, I have been stretched and challenged more by being a parent than anything else in life.

So I was happy to find a book that supports my point of view with examples of scientific studies. They did a lot of before and after brain wave studies on female rats -- those who were parents, and those who weren't -- and found interesting differences. Being the skeptic that I am, I know that these studies don't "prove" anything huge and general, like "MOMS ARE SMARTER THAN THE REST OF YOU! HA!", but it does seem like having offspring enhances certain areas of the brain.

The latter half of the book was mainly anecdotal and statistical evidence that I found less interesting. It was kind of neat to see how prominent working moms thought that their mothering had influenced their work, but not really that surprising to me. And the author seemed to believe that not many women choose to stay at home with their kids, but the statistics they used were for women with kids of all ages (not just pre-K), and included part-time work as well to make it seem like all mothers work a lot outside the home. Not a big deal, and I wouldn't even bring it up except that she mentioned it several times.

So if you're interested in psychology and/or neuroscience and parenthood (a lot of the research applies to dads and grandparents, too), I'd recommend at least the first half of this book. Take or leave the other half.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katherine Ellison explored the societal belief that women become less intelligent through childbirth - something I actually always believed because I feel so discombobulated when I'm pregnant.

The truth is our brains do shrink during pregnancy but then grow back even stronger than before and literally rewired in a more intelligent way. She uses scientific research to show that women become more efficient, resilient, and motivated. Also, she says women gain a heightened sense of awareness, perception, and emotional intelligence from the changes that occur during pregnancy and motherhood.

These ideas rang true for me and it was interesting to look at the science behind it all.

The basis of this book was very interesting, however, the execution left a little to be desired. I felt like she geared this book towards working professional moms and how motherhood can help one further their career. Also, the book could have been written much more concisely.

[Tonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my boring! Apparently this mommy brain of mine doesn't think the authors' two cents are all that stimulating. My mommy brain may not be as smart as her mommy brain, but at least I am smart enough to put down a "so what?!" book when one comes along :-)

[Shannon]

For years, I have really enjoyed knowing this book exists, because the thing that scared me about motherhood the most was "losing my mind." And I will be forever grateful to it for existing, and for collecting so much info about how mothers' brains are rearranging, not getting stupider.

But I enjoy knowing ABOUT the book more than I enjoyed reading it. I think I've just read some really outstanding nonfiction this year, sporting almost fiction-quality narrative, and this book's topic doesn't lend itself to that. It IS a very skillful research paper, full of different studies and anecdotes and quotes from working mothers. But I read research papers for a living, and it's hard to get myself to the place where I want to sit down and read one for pleasure.

Ellison insisted constantly that mothers can be successful in the workplace and in the home (which I don't disagree with, but the constant emphasis felt like she was defensively trying to prove a point--a point I personally didn't feel the need for, but others might find valuable). She and I also come at the idea of evolution from different angles. She adheres doggedly (I use this word intentionally because evolution is assumed almost constantly) to the idea that macro-evolution is the reason for everything I do and say to my kids. I don't mind this, even expect it, because this isn't a religious book--but when every single feature of the mother's brain was run through this paradigm, it actually got a bit tiresome for me. I would rather her JUST present the results of observable studies instead of insisting in nearly every paragraph on presenting a hypothetical primeval history that we can't possibly prove as fact.

In the end, I'm still so grateful this book exists as something I can point to and say, "Check THAT out and then tell me I'm 'losing brain cells.' Heck, my neurons are actually forging new connections!" But I personally didn't enjoy the actual act of reading it.

[Jen Esberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was interesting and uplifting, but suggesting to put rice powder in a bottle to make babies sleep better is such terrible and harmful advices had to knock it down a star.

[Анастасия · Rating 5 out of 5]

Отличная книга, разбивающая много стереотипах о мамах и родительстве.

[Jane Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review is available on my blog:
http://authorjanebnight.wordpress.com...

This book was a very fun and informative read.

I am a mother of twins and I feel as if I lost my ability to think when my daughters were born. I have a much harder time having a conversation and finding appropriate words. I also cannot remember appointments and for the first time in my life I have a calendar and lists that I am dependent on.

If all that wasn’t bad enough, I also had a really scary incident when my daughters were about 4 months old. I forgot what a blinking red traffic light meant. Absolutely forgot. I was driving home from work (I worked 3rd shift then) with my kids from the babysitters and there was a blinking red light (it probably was a regular light during the day. Where we live there are some traffic lights that become blinking red after 11 since there isn’t much traffic.) I looked at the light and I could not recognize what I was supposed to do. I knew it was something. But what? I ended up running it. Another car was approaching and they honked at us but luckily they were clear thinking enough to stop and let the frazzled mommy by.

“The Mommy Brain” acknowledges that those things are pretty normal (remember that next time you are in traffic ok).

The symptoms I was experiencing had/have more to do with exhaustion and a brain working at it’s limits then a sudden lack of intelligence.
“The Mommy Brain” explores the positive changes in the brain. There are 5 areas particularly that are positively changed. They are: Perception, Efficiency, Resiliency, Motivation, and Emotional intelligence. There was a chapter devoted to each.
This book really touched me on a very personal level. I really enjoyed it and saw much of myself in it. I believe this is a must read for new mothers. Especially ones that feel like they just lost the ability to access half their brain.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful but probably a difficult read for anyone not interested in science or research. A few chapters in I was desperate to just read all the research results versus the questions/methods used to conduct the research. The first half of the book is written like a research article and then the second half becomes more of the "magazine advice column" style marketing execs would expect. It is not everyday you find a book written to women in a style that assumes the audience has a high comprehension and reading level.
Over all the book had amazing information and thoughts never really explored in other outlets. I would recommend it to mothers who are motivated to read and research. For mothers who just don't have the time or patience I would use excerpts in the book when counseling them. The topics in this book would in my opinion be better communicated through a public speakers forum than a book. All in all an educational read for the literary astute and great resource for counselors.

[angelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting...lots of research quoted. The author has put into a book form what I feel about the mommy brain (generally speaking). And as it does support my views on the subject in many ways, it could have been written in half the number of pages, and I don't agree with everything she has written. Lots of information for working women, and centered somewhat on this area. It took a while to get through, but I learned from it. I can use it in my own writing on the subject as it is a great resource book. And, yes, my mommy brain is still growing stronger by being stretched in different ways as my children and I grow older! However, my mommy spirit is what is growing the most! Go ahead and read this, moms...you will gain a new perspective.

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems to me that this book was written prematurely. Perhaps it would have been best written more condensed as a blog post or something. I'm sure there have been a lot more discoveries regarding how mothering affects the brain and overall health in the 10 years since this book was written, but there was not enough concrete science at the time this book was published to have made a sufficient argument from a scientific stance, as the author tried to do. It was mostly just subjective observations from studies and experiments, rather than proven scientific data behind the observations. But this was still an interesting book that piqued my interest on the subject. It definitely reinforced my passion for motherhood and nurturing children, and strengthened my support for breastfeeding.

[Karen]

I'm not going to rate this book because I don't think I will finish it. I don't mind books with an academic bent, but this one is not engaging me. I feel like the case it makes is very defensive, like we have to prove that mothers can be smart. But, I appreciate the work that went into it--and neuroscience may just not be my thing.

[Denman G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great (too watered down on the science), not horrible, and not particularly relevant to me. I'd never heard of the "mommy brain" before I read this. But if it can convince new mothers that they don't have to act like scatterbrained airheads because it's expected of them, I'm glad people are reading it.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't give it a complete rating--because I was so busy finishing up other books that the renewals ran out! The first part stated what is obvious to any mother--motherhood increases your ability to multi-task--the chapter titles for the rest of the book looked intriguing. I'm going to check it out again to finish.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an empowering book with scientific research showing that "there is nothing better that you can do for your brain than have a child" and how motherhood makes us smarter. It is truly incredible to learn how the brain is literally reshaped with childbearing and raising children!
Read it!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book about how mommy brain is actually a good thing. It makes us smarter and sharper in many ways we often don't realize. It was a lot of studies and scientific research, so it wasn't the most entertaining read, but it was enlightening.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually give this a 3.5 but not quite a 4. Ellison makes some interesting arguments but, as I'm finding in many parenthood books, tends to be a bit repetitive. I did find this book to be far more upbeat and encouraging than some out right now, which was a refreshing change...

[Sarah Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Like some of the reviews I've read on here have said - this really wasn't a subject that is particularly book-length. I feel like a lot of the same information was repeated over and over. Probably would've been better as a paper or an article.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly fascinating. Though it was scientific in nature, it was not dry or dull. In fact, I found myself quite engrossed in learning how the brain changes and prepares for motherhood.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book aggregating brain plasticity research. Very readable and, more importantly, inspiring and optimistic. I've never thought being a mom (or pregnant) made me brainless and women (and men) who imply that it does have made me very uncomfortable. Here's the official counter-argument.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book, but it was hard to get into. It jumps back and forth a lot. It does help explain where our brains go after having children.

[Carolyn Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok.

[Lindsay Evermore]

woodbridge

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES. YES. YES. Kudos to all of us. :)

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable and so clearly organized! All the science supporting the assertion that, contrary to popular humor, pregnancy and parenting actually enhance intelligence.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11464585

[Anette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fik aldrig læst den færdig.

[Kaci]

I like the title want to read it.