Customer Reviews

Cereal for Dinner: Strategies, Shortcuts, and Sanity for Moms Battling Illness

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At first glance this would seem to be a book just for mothers who are seriously ill. Kristine, who herself experienced a serious illness and in fact her heart stopped for a brief time, writes about her experiences and shares the insights and experiences of other mothers who have or are experiencing serious illness including cancer, dietetics and Multiple Sclerosis. Any mother who reads it will relate to what Kristine writes about - the need to be strong and do it all for children, spouses and friends. We all can relate to the Super Mom phenomenon which most moms' still struggle with. Kristine also gives good advice both hers and from the other mothers who shared their stories with her. She shares valuable resource informaton.

I should now state that I am not a mother of children experiencing a serious illness. I am in fact a sixty-year-old retired mother who is not even a grandmother yet. In reading Cereal for Dinner I not only related to how hard it is to ask for help let along accept it, I also had some understanding of what it must be like when we get older and have to let others help us. I think that this book could be good reading for any one who is experiencing a serious illness - mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, and friend. It is also good reading for those of us who know people who are experiencing serious illness. Some of the suggestions for helping people in those circumstances are things I had never thought about before.

My husband and I retired 2 years ago and have agreed to share the domestic duties. On page 51 of Cereal for Dinner, Kristine offers good advise for all people who complain that they don't get enough help. "Whether it's not wanting to ask for help or not wanting to lower our standards, women hold tightly onto the reins of "power" in the domestic spheres. We seem to think that by refusing to delegate and demanding that things are done exactly as we specify, we can prove how much we love our families when in fact, how we really show that is by taking cares of ourselves." She goes on to say, "The best way to teach .... is to accept that everything isn't always perfect."

If you are a mom who is experiencing serious illness or know a mom who is, the book is a must. If you are not a mom who is experiencing a serious illness you will find the book very insightful for current or future situations. Kristine Breese has written an easy to read practical and insightful book.

What brave women we meet in this book! I feel like I know them now. I knew this would be good read for Moms with kids at home, but Cereal for Dinner has been good for those of us over 60 whose kids have been grown for a long time. Asking for help, speaking up,and rethinking long held beliefs. I am very glad to have read this book. I have bought and given many with confidence that anyone who reads this will appreciate Breese's powerful insights.

As a really good writer, Kristene Breese states her case so eloquently, there is little I can add except to say her book, Cereal For Dinner, embodies a very powerful message which should be read by all; whether fighting medical adverity or not.

Kristene Breese has written her guide around the personal experiences of surviving medical adversity (for moms) and the trials of keeping all other aspects of life balanced while doing so. However, this book's scope, in my opinion, is much broader than what is revealed by a quick scan of the title and cover-sheets. This book can be parlayed and paraphrased, by the intelligent reader, into a survival guide for anyone, facing any adversity while trying to keep life on course.

I wish her well. I believe she will enjoy much success with this and future writings.

Ask for help. Listen to your body. Be an informed patient. Readjust your standards. These are some of the lessons Kristine Breese learned -- the hard way. I applaud her candor and appreciate the wit, sensitivity and depth with which she reveals her story and those of the 18 other women profiled. Through Cereal for Dinner, this gifted writer provides both a compelling read and an abundance of tips and resources. There is much for moms to relate to -- whether battling illness or not. For instance, I had to laugh when she wrote how kids can discover the joy of owning a hamster instead of a dog because that's exactly what happened in our family! Thank you, Ms. Breese, for taking readers into your confidence from the get-go and giving us much to contemplate and rethink.

As a mother who has struggled with chronic illness myself, I have to say that I wish this book had been around when I first got sick.

In an entertaining and non-preachy manner, this book lays down the advice that I had to learn through years of trial and error, support groups, and the wisdom (or lack thereof) of friends.

I went back and reread a section of the book yesterday because my 7 year old daughter told me that she had been having nightmares about me dying. The book offers concrete suggestions on dealing with problems like this (among many others) and I think it is a must-read for anyone who is sick---mother or not. The advice holds true across the board for anyone who is ill, but especially so for mothers who need to deal with a family in addition to the battlefield of illness. Buy this book. It's terrific.

I already learned when the box boy at the market asked if "you want help out to the car? ' Say "Yes" Breese's book brought humor, caring for our family, and how to do it by changing our behavior. It's a great book.
Eileen DeWitt Murphy

I wish I had this book a few years ago! It is wonderful to read something that speaks to the hear of issues that moms with illness face each and every day. I have chronic illnesses and have also experienced several surgeries. I often try to keep up with healthy moms and beat myself up when I fall short. It is good to keep in mind that even moms who can't "do it all" can be good and loving mothers.

Great book!

I am not a mom but I still found this book to be a gem! As a sick single person living alone I found many useful insights in this book. I learned that it is OK to ask for help and it is OK to eat cereal for dinner! This would be a great gift for anyone with a chronic illness.