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The Crystal Ball for Parents-To-Be

Don't You Dare Have Kids
Until You Read This!

A Review

By Kelly Burgess

(Three Rivers Press, revised edition 2001). It's a chronicle of how to approach marriage in such a way that very little is left to chance. Donaldson is convinced that if everyone took his approach, divorce would become a thing of the past.

Now the couple is thinking about having a child and have decided to make sure they're ready for a step this significant in the same way they prepared for their marriage. In fact, the dedication in Don't You Dare Have Kids Until You Read This! (Three Rivers Press, 2003) reads: "To my firstborn. The way is being prepared for you." It's probably safe to say that kid will be wanted.

Reading the introduction to both of his books, no one could accuse Donaldson of not being a romantic guy. All the same, he's aiming to take some of the emotion out of decisions that often have an emotional base that can overrule common sense.

"With most of the big decisions in life, such as what kind of house or car to buy or which career to pursue, we ask ourselves detailed questions because it's so important to get it right," says Donaldson. "But with the biggest decisions in life – marriage and children – questions don't seem to be important. The decision is often made on an emotional level without a good foundation of reasoning."

Want to see more?

• Mulling Over Motherhood: Do You Really Want to Be a Mom?
• Going Solo: The Pursuit of Single Motherhood
• Decisions, Decisions: Which Path Is Right for You?
• Talk about it!