Customer Reviews

Becoming a Grandmother: A Life Transition

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I gave this book to my mother when I found out I was pregnant. I admit to reading most of it before handing it on. I now wish I'd bought two copies -- one for my mother-in-law. It is a great account of all the doubts and feelings that may occur when a mother finds out her offspring is going to become a parent. The author mainly deals with a mother-daughter relationship, rather than a mother-son relationship. The author is British, and I related well to the content. It was reassuring to know that my mother was probably experiencing doubts and having to address issues to do with her growing older. I enjoyed the idea that a new bond is created between mother and daughter because they share childbirth in common. My mum felt that it was a lot less threatening to receive this as a gift, than to be given a How to Grandparent book which is really a slap in the face to say 'You don't know what to do!'. A good narrative which should be taken in the light in which it was written -- not a how-to book, but a food-for-thought book which might reassure that its okay to have doubts about impending grandparent-hood.

I am some years away from becoming a grandmother. I bought and read this book for my church library. I was disappointed in it. Instead of good advice on how to be a grandma, especially when living at a distance from grandkids, this book seemed to be written for those who dreaded becoming a grandma. GEEZ. Let's buck up ladies and realize that grandmotherhood is a BLESSING rather than some kind of condemnation of age! We EARN the right to be elders, to be wise! When will American women welcome each section of their lives as they pass through it? You only go this way but once and there are plenty of dead women who would have given everything to live long enough to even see grandchildren. This book left little to look forward to. In her effort to try to convince "reluctant" grandmothers that they should look forward to this experience she seemed to be saying that if you WERE looking forward to it, something is wrong with you. I had great relationships with both my grandmothers. They enriched my life tremendously and were another voice of reason and ears to listen as I was growing up. Kitzinger's book left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Call me disappointed.

This is a classic book full of thoughtful reflection. You can't beat it for the price.