The pressure on women today has pushed many American mothers to the breaking point. It feels as if “doing your best” is never enough to...
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Sep 22, 2011
Cathy
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This book is written by a pediatrician, but it's really about how we women can make our own life better. The author has a warm, friendly voice and her writing includes many anecdotes to illustrate the topics of each of the 10 "Habits."
I think there was a lot of good advice in this book, but I admit that some chapters held my attention more than others. Some of the chapters felt like she was talking directly to me, but others sections felt curiously flat. I guess that it's nor More...
I think there was a lot of good advice in this book, but I admit that some chapters held my attention more than others. Some of the chapters felt like she was talking directly to me, but others sections felt curiously flat. I guess that it's nor More...
Apr 12, 2011
Amberli
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I really liked this book. The author does such a good job laying out realistic and helpful principles to help mothers be happier in a non-condescending way. the suggestions she makes aren't the generic "take care of yourself" type suggestions often found in these kinds of books. she's down to earth and easy to relate to. she says it as it is and doesn't try to fluff up how tiring and sometimes discouraging mothering can be but also really emphasizes the positives as well. she speaks fr
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Jan 15, 2012
Kelley
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My favorite self-help book for mothers by far. I think her suggestions are much more profound and deep than the typical "wear make-up" and "do something for you" suggestions from other authors. Her 10 habits are more about finding personal satisfaction IN motherhood, not IN SPITE of motherhood. MUCH less superficial and more spiritual, emotional, and mental. I must say, however, that although I agreed with each of her 10 habits and liked what she had to say, it started to
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Jul 05, 2011
Jo
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I think Dr. Meeker has hit the nail on the head approaching her audience right where they are. This generation is very involved with self and she has done a good job focussing on just that angle. I think her number 7(Give and Get Love in Healthy Ways) should be number 1. One thing that is missing is any reflection on the skills or attitudes that young mothers might be able to pick up from their moms. Dr. Meeker's dedication of this book is to her mom but there is no more attention given to that
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Jul 19, 2011
Juliana
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A lot of what is in this book is the sort of thing I think women in general and moms already tell themselves, or have learned in other places, but I liked the simplicity of this book and how everything is pulled together in a clear format. My only discomfort with the book is in the "faith" chapter, where she makes a remark about the Muslim faith being so different Christianity - she doesn't elaborate what she means by that, and I suspect she doesn't know much about any faith outside of
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Feb 06, 2012
Joshua
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Maybe the problem is that I'm a dad, not a mom. I found this book to lack structure and organization, and to merely be full of feel-good stories from the author's personal life. 3 hours into it I still had no idea what the 10 habits were. I have never pretended to understand women, but this has made me feel as though perhaps I REALLY don't understand women, unless women are also finding problems with this book. Not that the book is bad, per se, it just didn't deliver for me what I thought it wou
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May 16, 2011
Holly
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Every time I read a self-help book, I swear off all self-help books for a period of time. Especially the ones like this, that tell me how to live a more simple life. All I can think as I'm reading the "directions" is that if I were actually following the directions that the author is giving me, I would not be sitting here, reading this book, now would I? Because it's a waste of valuable time. There's some irony in there some where. But I gave it a 3 because for what it is, it was well
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Apr 10, 2011
BeccaJane
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I really enjoyed this book, it was different than a lot of books about motherhood. Gave me lots of new things to think about. I really liked how she points out that our children are "on loan" to us...we are here to help them become who they already are...NOT to force them to become who WE feel pressured they should become. I appreciated this so much, because I think I do try too hard to force certain behaviors or attitudes on my children, when really, they already just have differen
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Aug 10, 2011
Lisa
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This book looked a little simplistic to me at first. The 10 habits were so common sence! But when the author starts to dig in, she really started making some good points and illustrating things in a very nice way. I liked the personnal stories that she uses to bring her habits home. I felt like I was reading a talk from a Time Out for Women conference (shout out to my sisters!), it had that kind of feel. Very encouraging and she keeps reminding you that YOU are enough for your children, you don
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Sep 22, 2011
Katlet
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I was a little surprised about how much I enjoyed this book. I felt like there were several things that I want to work into my life (female friendships, simplifying life, getting clear about my purpose in life, spirituality). I like Meeker's take on many of these things. Though, there were a couple of times I felt her a little too... something for me, though I'm not exactly sure what. Not exactly preachy Christian, but something.
I think this is a book I could come back to for helpf More...
I think this is a book I could come back to for helpf More...
Apr 25, 2011
Alissa
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I started out really liking this because it had good anecdotes and actual suggestions on how to implement her 10 habits at the end of each chapter. I also appreciated that this had less of the hit you over the head Christianity that her other book "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" had.
In the end, I have already begun practicing a lot of her habits, so the last half of the book was less useful for me as I didn't identify with it as much. For a woman struggling, her advice would More...
In the end, I have already begun practicing a lot of her habits, so the last half of the book was less useful for me as I didn't identify with it as much. For a woman struggling, her advice would More...
Dec 29, 2011
Danielle
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This was good...I didn't like it as much as I could have and maybe should have. She did have some pretty good points and ideas, although there was a lot of information packed in. As I was reading it I felt motivated and excited yet I have a hard time remembering anything that stands out now. Her ideas weren't brand new, but I liked the style of giving habits with points under each. I didn't relate in all the ways, I felt her experiences came from a very different situation than mine, an older
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Mar 27, 2011
Nicol
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So many great ideas to help mothers be happy. Too many times through out the book, I would catch myself thinking that she is describing me! While some items seem like such simple things to do, I plan on trying to implement a few of these into my life.
I think too often we get so busy with life and our families suffer. I will simplify my life and truly figure out what my priorities are!
I think too often we get so busy with life and our families suffer. I will simplify my life and truly figure out what my priorities are!
Jul 28, 2011
Rebecca
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I love Meeker's approach to Mothering. She reminds us to relax and that it's okay to lean on others for support, to make a conscious decision to be kind to yourself and to make being hopeful a way of life. I needed this, and I think any Mom would feel the same way after reading. The structure of the book is organized and easy to follow.
Apr 20, 2011
Melissa
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I like her straight-forward advice for moms. This book reminds us that being a mom is not about the superficial--it is a deep, meaningful job to parent and in order to be successful, we need to be less about what's on the surface and "keeping up with other moms" and more about connecting with God, ourselves, our spouses and our kids.
Feb 08, 2012
Amber
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I was hoping for more out of this book. What I really wish was that I could just share my religion with this woman. Her insights are all well and good, but it was like "a ha, I knew that...a ha my religion teaches me that..." There were a few new things I gleaned, but for the most part I was a bit disappointed.
Dec 06, 2011
Summer
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There were some boring parts and some great parts to this book. I loved the chapters on jealosy, meditation and simplifying. She had some great suggestions from which every woman could benefit. But I have to admit I skimmed some chapters (which I nearly never do) because they were a little sleepy.
Jun 26, 2011
Jill
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I liked this book overall. There were a lot of valuable tidbits of advice in here, and though it is written from a very conventional standpoint, I still found a lot of great ideas and lessons that I could identify with. As with all books of this nature, we take what we can use and leave the rest!
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Mar 31, 2011
Patti
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I enjoyed this author so much, I am now reading one of her older books. She is a pediatrician of many years, who has reared 4 children of her own! Very insightful, no nonsense approach to parenthood. She adds a spiritual component that is healthy and inspiring.
Oct 26, 2011
Christine
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I liked this book a lot. It was practical, helpful and meaningful. I especially appreciate how she illustrated each habit with specific examples, and how she offered tips for making each habit stick. At times I felt her approach was overly simplistic, but overall I appreciated her perspective and found her advice helpful.
Jul 02, 2011
Laura
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Some general good advice in here (don't forget about having friends just because being a mom makes you busy, etc), but at times it felt condescending. I think it's worth the read for new moms, if only for the reminder that spending time with your kid is more important than cleaning the house.
Nov 06, 2011
Mary
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Please note: I didn't actually read this whole book. I read the first few chapters and briefly skimmed the rest. I don't finish books I don't like. It was hard for me to put my finger on why exactly I didn't enjoy this, the premise and basic content are fine. The writing just seemed canned and stale. It felt like the author was trying so hard not to step on any toes that it left the book kind of dry. But I also complain when parenting books are too opinionated, so I'm not sure what to think. May
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Feb 14, 2012
Courtnee
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I didn't expect much from this book and wasn't even looking for a "self help" book. I really enjoyed this book and it has opened my eyes to how I can be a better mother and happier woman. The best self help book I have read.
Oct 25, 2011
Amy
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Terrible book filled with concepts but poor strategies. When the author writes that moms can have me-time while scrubbing floors, I shut the book for good.
Jul 11, 2011
found through a link trail starting on Ann Voskamp's blog. Looks worth a try, for me and for Than's library. (She also has a book for fathers of daughters)
Apr 07, 2011
Adele
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There are some great tidbits in here for Moms, and not necessarily the usual stuff you hear. I particularly liked the chapter on competition.
Oct 17, 2011
Lori
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Blah...couldn't get through it. Audio was annoying and the whole tone was so preachy and la-la land. Not for me, I guess.
Feb 02, 2012
I thought this was going to be another random self-help book. Surprise! It was extremely helpful and inspiring.
Jul 14, 2011
Melissa
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Couldn't get through it. The 10 habits she has are great and pointiant, but no new ideas for an LDS mother.
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Mar 27, 2011
Jennifer
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I enjoyed this book. It organized my thoughts and fears and trials as a mom and helped me to see that others feel the same way. It gives me hope. Also, she speaks of her relationship with God and I find that comforting too.
