Opting in: Having a Child Without Losing Yourself

Amy Richards's Opting In is a marvelous piece of writing that addresses the sometimes interesting dichotomies of being both mother and feminist, and how those two identities should be one and the same rather than polarizing camps. With an eye toward established theory while at the same time quite willing to see the humor in absolutist thought, Richards has written a book that is both entertaining and thoughtful, with each chapter better than the last.

Richards' book shines as a beacon of hope to frazzled, overstressed mothers: having a life outside of motherhood is entirely possible! It's about priorities, balance, and knowing your limits. Richards balances personal anecdotes with well-known feminist commentary. She cites the changes society has undergone to allow mothers and their parenting partners more flexibility in the workplace and beyond. A must-read for mothers, mothers-to-be, fathers, partners, EVERYONE!

Richards book is carefully researched with a plethora of women's voices on motherhood. Richards is the Third Wave feminist version of Doctor Spock. Her writing is a vital contribution to the feminist movement as it underscores the importance of choice in motherhood. Richards draws on personal experiences, and interviews with other mothers, to demonstrate that whom we co-parent with is just as important as how we parent. Richards acknowledges the difficulties of balancing personal and professional, and hi-lites research that demonstrates how our personal decisions impact the political movement of feminism.