January 12, 2006 6:00 PM
The Mommy Brain
I came across this book today and wanted to share it. I'm short on time and since it proves things I've already concluded myself, I probably won't be reading it.
But just knowing it's out there made me feel good - and I thought it would make you feel good too!
Here's what Publishers' Weekly had to say about it:
Ellison expertly demystifies the legend of "the mommy brain"—an assumption that pregnancy and parenting make women a little ditzy. By juxtaposing entertaining anecdotes from her own life and the lives of her friends with fascinating studies in neurobiology and psychology, Ellison substantiates her claim that motherhood is an "advantage in the lifelong task of becoming smart." Her argument's foundation is that learning changes the brain, and she makes a larger argument about the kind of intelligence motherhood fosters. Traits such as perception, efficiency, resiliency, motivation and emotional intelligence, she says, are present whether one's a good mom or "a CEO of a Fortune 500 company." Both, for example, must have the "logistical capacities that take you through the day with the minimum bloodshed and maximum productivity." Ellison's often humorous and always thorough approach reveals plenty of other illustrations of these skills that will amuse and intrigue smart mothers everywhere.
Posted in Books, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
My husband's advisor in undergrad (many years ago in a galaxy far, far away) was beginning research regarding the effects of pregnancy on intelligence from a purely biological sense when we were in school.
That research was published in '99 and then he went on to look at other characteristics and publish those in a later study.
If we have anything in common with rats (?!), we are smarter, calmer, and braver for having been through pregnancy, childbirth, and mothering.
I don't put a lot of stake in how much we are like rats (?!), but I thought it was interesting all the same! And it was certainly a breath of fresh air for dh to have an undergrad professor (especially in psychology) to consider the importance and positive effect of mothering!
Here's a link to a quick article about it if you or any of your readers are interested:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/parenting/10/28/motherhood.stress.reut/
Posted by: Kari | January 13, 2006 4:29 PM
