Take Our Survey

We wanted The Mother's Guide to Sex to reflect the concerns and experiences of a full spectrum of moms—married, single, heterosexual, lesbian, adoptive and biological—so we posted the following survey in several places online, including the Hip Mama web site. Imagine our delight when over seven hundred impassioned and heartfelt responses poured in. Quotes from our survey respondents appear throughout the book, and their comments guided our writing. Although we're no longer soliciting survey responses, we've kept the questions posted here in case you'd like to answer them for your own enjoyment and enlightenment.

1. How did your sex life change when you became a mom? How did it stay the same?
2. Did your sense of yourself and/or other people's sense of you as a sexual being change when you became a mom? If so, how?
3. Moms and partners: how did the experience of trying to conceive, inseminate, or adopt affect your desire level and sex life? Do you have suggestions for other moms-to-be or their partners on how to get support during this time?
4. If you're a biological mom, please describe your desire level and experience of sex during pregnancy. In what ways was it similar to or different than your experience before you were a parent? Please describe any changes in your sexual anatomy and sexual responses that resulted from pregnancy and/or childbirth.
5. Moms and partners: how have you dealt with the challenges of limited time, energy, spontaneity, or privacy? Can you suggest any tips or strategies for prioritizing sex?
6. What sexual and/or communication issues have come up for you and your partner(s) since becoming a parent? In what way are these the same as or different from the sex and relationship issues that came up before you were a parent?
7. Single parents: how have you dealt with the challenges of dating and enjoying sexual relationships, while also raising your kids? Can you offer any advice, tips or resources for other single parents?
8. If you are currently dissatisfied with your sex life, what do you consider to be the biggest challenges to overcome?
9. If you are currently satisfied with your sex life, please describe what makes it work for you.
10. Who or what has been your best resource for sexual information and support (e.g., medical professional, friend, partner, Internet)? Can you recommend specific books, web sites, professionals or organizations that have been helpful.
11. What attitudes about sexuality do you want to communicate to your children, and how do you plan to do so?
12. Do you have any tips to offer other parents about how to talk to their children about sex?