Davidson does her best to include as many different perspectives and experiences in the book. I was drawn to So When Are You Having Kids? because of its promise to truly include gender and sexual diversity in its discussion of childbearing and childrearing. I received an eARC from NetGalley and Sounds True Books in exchange for a review. This is the kind of book I think a lot of young adults need access to! Jordan Davidson’s look at the important decisions and facts around having kids is incisive, inclusive, and extremely comprehensive. So When Are You Having Kids?: The Definitive Guide for Those Who Aren't Sure If, When, or How They Want to Become Parents is a practical guide for addressing a very specific aspect of chrononormativity (which is the expectation that your life will unfold in a predictable, progressive, mostly linear path). Brown introduced me to the term chrononormativity when I read Refusing Compulsory Sexuality, and that made a lot of things click for me. This is one of those questions that gets asked of you at a certain time in your life. So When Are You Having Kids? is a much-needed resource for family planning in the modern world, packed with the knowledge and tools you need to make one of the most important decisions―if not the most important decision―of your life.

And, what it means to choose a child-free life for those who are unsure whether they want kids.

The ethics and consequences of having kids in the face of climate change.

How to move past fears related to pregnancy and childbirth.

The real financial costs of having and raising kids.

The facts about infertility, adoption, fostering, and alternative methods of becoming a parent.

What makes a good parent, and the skills you need to be one.

Ways to cope with familial and societal pressure to have children.

Combining research with over 100 compelling real-life stories, the resources in this book are as diverse as the generations they’re meant to serve. It’s a nonjudgmental, inclusive guidebook for women, men, gender-nonconforming people, same-sex couples, and prospective single parents who want to make an informed decision regarding if and how they bring children into the world. So When Are You Having Kids? is not your parents’ parenting book, nor is it a how-to for getting pregnant. How much does it cost to have kids? How long can I wait? What if I have fertility issues? And, wait a minute… do I even want kids? If you’re unsure whether you want kids or struggling to decide, this book is for you. As we expand our understanding of what “family” means, we need to change the way we think about having kids.

Sherronda j brown book