So mothers do think! Surprise! Of course mothers think, all of them do, although the title of this collection of essays seems to imply that only a select elite are capable of retaining intellect after giving birth.

OK, it's true that mothers, especially new ones, are assaulted with an overwhelming flood of information. Seemingly immediately after a child is born, pamphlets on breast-feeding vs. bottle, magazines pontificating about the best day care options and other such propaganda materialize. It is also true that these sources provide vital information for women trying to make the best decisions for their children. For years even, this may be the bulk of their reading material.

But -- and this is important -- they have not stopped thinking. Rather, the focus of their thoughts have changed. This title implies that women who read magazines such as Salon or Bust are more informed, more intelligent, than those who read Woman's Day or Family Circle. Hey, lots of smart women enjoy knitting!

Of course, there comes a day when even the most devoted mothers want to page through literature not containing an ad for Pampers (even the really good cloth-like cover ones). This would be the time to read Mothers Who Think.

The 37 essays written by different authors range from humorous, as in "How I Beat a Bull With My Three-Speed Blender" by Cathy Wilkenson, to the heart-wrenching "Dances With Death" by Camille Peri.

The stories run through all spectrums of motherhood. Occasionally one strikes a chord too resonant, such as "On Not Having a Daughter," a tale about abortion by Jayne Anne Phillips. A mother myself, the loss was too much to bear, and I moved quickly on.

A noticeable exclusion is the underprivileged mother. Millions exist, yet they are not represented here. Even in the stories by single mothers, money is never a barrier.

While each author contributes her own perspective, collectively these stories feel true and familiar to any mother. Like parenting itself, Mothers Who Think provides much material for reflection.

[ by Katie Knapp ]
Rambles: 11 May 2002