Customer Reviews

Daughters and Mothers: Making it Work

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

 

 

I have had this book since it was published, about 1990. On my initial reading I thought it heavily favored the daughter's point of view. Since rereading it recently I found it ofers a fairness I hadn't seen before, and some profound insights into the value the book offers. Examples: "The best advice you can give yourself is yours." "May you have the joy of following your own advice." And particularly the thought that if after reading the book we can see the way we can change, we are in a powerful position. On the contrary, if we think in terms of underling sections just to point out to the other how wrong she is, then we've lost that power. I appreciated the fact the book did not tell us to run out for a therapy session. We have the power and the potential within ourselves to change and to compromise for the sake of a wonderful daughter/mother relationship.

The beginning of the book started to become promising, but as I neared the end, it just became boring to me. The exercises at the end of each chapter are a bit lengthy, and moreso guided towards self-discovery. I DO believe that self-discovery can lead to a better understanding with your role in relationships, especially that with your mother/daughter, but it just didn't seem to offer as much understanding pertinent to my situation. I prefer "When you and your mother can't be friends" by Victoria Secunda.

I have had this book since it was published, about 1990. On my initial reading I thought it heavily favored the daughter's point of view. Since rereading it recently I found it offers a fairness I hadn't seen before, and some profound insights into the value the book offers. Examples: "The best advice you can give yourself is yours." "May you have the joy of following your own advice." And particularly the thought that if after reading the book we can see the way we can change, we are in a powerful position. On the contrary, if we think in terms of underling sections just to point out to the other how wrong she is, then we've lost that power. I appreciated the fact the book did not tell us to run out for a therapy session. We have the power and the potential within ourselves to change and to compromise for the sake of a wonderful daughter/mother relationship.

Working the program of this book is not as good as attending a mother-daughter workshop with the Firmans
but it sure is a cut above the usual mother-daughter literature. The insights, ideas, suggestions and exercises will enhance the life of any woman and will move the mother-daughter relationship to a new level for anyone who
works through the entire book.

Helpful in many ways but somewhat pedantic. Authors based in transpersonal and psychosynthesis psychologies and somewhat dated. Hardly a mention made of family dynamics and the role of the father regarding the mother and daughter. Exercises offered at end of each section are good.

I enjoyed this book in that it covered many aspects of what women go through as a daughter and as a mother in trying to find one's own separate identity for both the mother and the daughter. It is an easy read and has much for the reader to contemplate in terms of their own relationship with their mother or daughter. I would recommend this book for someone who is looking for ways to understand the dynamics of these relationships and ideas of how to make it work.

very educational. refreshing to read the OTHER opinion of moms which is far closer to the truth than Fraud ever was

It isn't always pretty, but it will work! Healing a damaged mother/daughter relationship is vital to a healthy woman's life. This book can help you repair damage, sustain progress, and increase your understanding of each other.

I picked this book up for my mother after our relationship as well as mom's relationship with my sister deteriorated and mom did not want to seek help from qualified professionals. I m hopping it helps, only time will tell.

This book rips the cover off the mother-daughter relationship and shows you the truth, sometimes beautiful, sometimes unseemly, that lies beneath. Not like that sappy imitation book by that wall-eyed Cokie Roberts person. How many face lifts has that babe had anyway? Her toes must be curling up by now. The Firmans' book is for real women...and the men who fear them.