Parenting books for single women?

[maktaitai]

Hi, someone I know has become pregnant with the help of a male donor (OK that sounds a bit clumsy but I hope it's clear!) Has anyone found a parenting book that is a bit less focused on 'couply' stuff than the others, that you thought was good?

TIA

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bump blimey the boards are moving fast!

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I liked this one. Don't rememeber it being very couply at all.

'remember' even

Thanks Mollie

Just wondering if there are any more ideas?

I would have loved one but never managed to find one that was actually useful. Sorry I can't be more help.

Ah yes, my friend liked that one. Her partner died when she was 3m pg. So i imagine it must be quite good for single people as anything coupley would have stung. Her ds is 7m now...does anyone know of anything that might be suitable for her? Even a sort of memoire by another single parent? Sorry for hijack.

This sounds like a gap in the market tbh...

The book on motherhood by Rachel Cusk doesn't mention her partner much and I didn't find Penelope Leach very focused on anything other than the baby. And I also found the Rough Guide good and not too couply.

Perhaps I should write one :o

Yes the rough guide was fab. It did mention a husband but not in a smug emma's diary kind of way. And lots of little non-judgemental references e.g. "When you're pregnant you need to eat X calories per day. If you're a teenager you'll need X more as you are still growing." just as a matter of fact, in the middle of a sentence thing. And IIRC there was a whole section on "unusual" family setups, single mums, lesbian couples, etc.

I don't know of any other books, sorry.

LadyBiscuit, you're right of course - but I really can't tell anyone else to read the Rachel Cusk, it made me too miserable! Also I'm reluctant to suggest Penelope Leach to anyone who has to work full-time, though perhaps I am overthinking this.

Good news to have another recommendation of the rough guide.

maktaitai - you're right that the Cusk book is depressing but it helped me through long lonely hours (am in same situation as your friend). And I didn't find Leach made me feel guilty even though I work FT :)

I haven't managed to find anything sufficiently non-smug.

Penelope Leach was very informative and not too fluffy. I also bought something called the Single Parent's Handbook, but even that constantly referred to ex-partners.

Seems there is definitely a gap in the market for donor families and the likes. GRR