More Than Enough Chapter 7: Family, Fertility, and the Illusion of the Perfect Family

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Polly recalls Mark urging her to meet his family just two months into their relationship. She agrees and visits the Bailey home on Long Island Sound—a rambling, slightly spooky house where the four Bailey brothers (Thomas, Douglas, Mark, Michael) and their families gather often. During Fourth of July weekend, Polly talks with her sister-in-law Emily while the brothers play badminton. Emily openly describes the exhausting, all-consuming nature of motherhood, calling it a “succubus” that colonizes a woman’s life. Polly shares her ongoing fertility struggles: the medicalized process, feelings of failure each month, and conversations with the clinic therapist Jeannine. Polly confesses that she fears her body knows she is not meant to have children. Emily dismisses that notion as “total horseshit,” arguing that many women who conceive easily become nightmare mothers. Polly also reflects on her own mother—a lawyer and judge who prioritized work—and admits she felt “not enough” as a child. Emily cautions against the Hallmark-card fantasy of family, noting that the Baileys are an aberration. The chapter ends with Emily’s weary sarcasm as she corrals her children, highlighting the messy reality behind the idyllic scene.

Key Events

Polly recalls Mark pressing her to meet his family early in their relationship.
She describes her first visit to the Bailey house in Connecticut and the chaotic, loving family atmosphere.
During Fourth of July weekend, Polly and Emily sit on Adirondack chairs watching the brothers play badminton.
Emily explains the unrelenting demands of motherhood, calling it a “succubus” that leaves no room for self.
Polly reveals her years of fertility treatments and monthly disappointments, including her talks with therapist Jeannine.
Polly asks Emily if the body knows someone is not meant to have children; Emily rejects that idea.
Polly contrasts her own mother’s professional priorities with her desire to be a more present mother.
Emily warns against idealizing family, calling the Baileys a rare aberration.
Emily briefly recounts her own past relationship that ended badly before she met Thomas.
Sophia, Emily’s daughter, sits on Polly’s lap and comments on having a “big lap,” emphasizing Polly’s childless state.
Emily’s final sarcastic remark underscores the gap between the fantasy and reality of family life.

Character Development

Polly: Deepens her vulnerability. She openly discusses her fertility struggles, her fear of being “not meant” for motherhood, and the lingering impact of her own mother’s emotional absence. Her desire to become a mother is palpable, yet she questions her own worthiness.
Emily: Emerges as a candid, pragmatic confidante. As a psychologist, she debunks Polly’s superstitions about infertility and provides a grounded view of family life. Her own past heartbreak (the “Pluto” relationship) adds depth; she is not naive about love or family.
Lou (Louisa): Mark’s mother is introduced as a patient, good-humored first-grade teacher who immediately embraces Polly. She represents the warm, engaged maternal figure Polly longs to become.
Skipper: Mark’s father, mentioned in passing—a man who complains about the lack of a generator but never buys one, and who feels left out of family gossip.
Mark: Mostly absent from the scene but described through Polly’s memories as eager for her to bond with his family.
Thomas: The eldest brother, competitive and loud during games, embodying the high-energy sibling dynamic.
Sophia, Rebecca, David: Emily’s children, whose behavior illustrates the relentless demands of motherhood.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Family as illusion vs. reality: Emily explicitly contrasts the Hallmark-card fantasy of unconditional love with the messy, exhausting truth of family life. The Baileys, while warm, are not perfect—they are an “aberration.”
Fertility and bodily agency: Polly’s question about whether the body “knows” she shouldn’t have children reflects a common anxiety among those struggling with infertility. Emily’s blunt rejection of that idea reclaims agency and chance.
Motherhood as colonization: Emily uses the metaphor of a “succubus” to describe how children consume a woman’s identity, a stark contrast to the idealized image of maternal fulfillment.
The lap as symbol of readiness: Sophia’s comment that Polly has a “big lap” while her mother had none during pregnancy subtly underscores Polly’s childlessness and her longing to hold a child of her own.
The Bailey house: The slightly haunted, ramshackle house with turrets and dark bedrooms symbolizes the unconventional, imperfect yet enduring family bond.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 7 deepens the central tension of More Than Enough: Polly’s desire for a child against the background of her own unresolved feelings about her mother and her fear of failing at motherhood. The conversation with Emily provides a critical counterpoint to Polly’s internal doubts. Emily’s professional insight as a psychologist offers a rational, unsentimental view of family—one that acknowledges both the beauty and the grind. The chapter also introduces the Bailey clan as a living example of a connected family, raising the stakes for Polly as she contemplates whether she can ever belong to such a world. Polly’s fertility journey becomes more than a medical problem; it is woven into her identity and her vision of a fulfilling life.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Emily dismiss Polly’s theory that her body knows she is not meant to have children? What evidence does Emily provide?
Emily calls the idea “total horseshit.” She argues that such a theory wrongly assumes the universe has predetermined the chemistry of Polly and Mark against procreation. Moreover, Emily points to the many women who conceive easily but turn out to be terrible mothers—proving that fertility and maternal quality are unrelated.

2. How does Polly’s description of her own mother influence her fears about motherhood?
Polly’s mother was a lawyer and judge who prioritized her career over her children. Polly recalls feeling “not enough” and is determined not to repeat that pattern. She sees motherhood as requiring total presence, and she fears that if she cannot achieve pregnancy, she will never have the chance to prove she can be a more devoted parent than her mother was.

3. What does Emily mean when she calls the Bailey family an “aberration”? How does this relate to the chapter’s larger message about family?
Emily uses the term to describe how rare it is to find a family so tightly knit and affectionate. She explains that many people feel damaged when their families don’t match the ideal, but the Baileys are the exception, not the rule. The message is that family bonds cannot be measured against a single perfect standard; love and connection come in many imperfect forms.