Motherhood Without Guilt
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What Readers have said ...
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 20, 2004
Guilt is the kudzu of motherhood.
Left alone, kudzu can easily smother and choke a beautiful, growing plant.
In "Motherhood Without Guilt," Debra Rosenberg attempts to help readers
pull these weeds out by the root, giving moms some room to breathe.
Using a question-and-answer format, Rosenberg, a clinical social worker,
discusses the push-and-pull feelings moms have about their children, husbands,
extended family and friends. And there's always the classic guilt of the
"work vs. stay home" variety.
In some cases, Rosenberg asserts that guilty pleasures are all right in
moderation.
At other times, she helps moms identify the source of their guilt as a
means to better control it. For instance, mothers who travel may feel
guilty for different reasons - insufficient child-care arrangements, missing
childhood milestones or enjoying the freedom from responsibility. Once
the root of the problem is identified, Rosenberg offers more specific
advice.
Pam Lilley, Special to The Plain Dealer
Motherhood without guilt is possible????
The first thoughts that came to mind when I saw
Motherhood Without Guilt on the bookstore shelf, were that there
is no way that this book could convince me that parenthood/motherhood
is possible without guilt. As a mother of a 16 year-old daughter, 11 year
old son, and a clinical social worker for 20 years, knew better! I continued
to peruse the book and skeptically bought it and took it home. After finishing
the book (within the next two days), I had a new perspective on what the
author was trying to convey to mothers. Ms. Rosenberg writes a practical
book which answers many questions that many women think of, but are afraid
to talk about or admit to themselves, partners, or even other mothers.
Ms. Rosenberg also addresses the issue of self-care and the importance
of self-nurturing -- which many readers would view as "selfish." The author
is able to give examples of ways mothers can start to take care of themselves
better with the understanding that their health and happiness is a critical
element in good parenting. I would highly recommend this book, and have
already recommended it to many of my clients and friends who are mothers.
Although I am still convinced of the impossibility of motherhood without
guilt, I believe this book will educate women about how to balance their
own personal lives/needs with the many demands of motherhood. Readers
will definitely come away from this book with new information, and practical
advice.
Kathy, from San Diego, California on Amazon.Com