Customer Reviews

Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box: Cut Yourself Some Slack (and Still Raise Great Kids) in the Age of Extreme Parenting

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Mothers with children of any age need to read Dr. Dunnewold's book. Based on a sensible approach to mothering, she points out the degree to which many moms (and dads) today get caught up in the competitive parenting trap. Calm and comforting in tone, she gives simple, doable suggestions that will help keep parents from being caught up in the competitive parenting Olympics while showing how to remain true to one's own self. She validates moms who bring their own strengths to parenting while acknowledging we all have our own little "nutty" piece as well. Realistic and reassuring with funny anecdotes and excellent advice, this book is a much needed one for moms today.

FINALLY, a resource to tell moms "HOW to quit worrying"!
It tells you that as a mother, you are already doing a good job. And, further, that the idea of measuring up isn't possible, because the current standard for parenting is not humanly possible. Dunnewold tells us to quit second guessing our decisions and feel comfortable with our choices. We are doing the best we can for our children. Thank you! Ann Dunnewold......we have all needed this resource and it is the only one out there that validates us as women and mothers!

Ann Dunnewold has done it again - with truly useful tools to help eliminate the superficial pressures of parenting and focus on what's really important for both mother (and dad) and child. Raising kids in the artificial world we live in is difficult enough. Thanks, Dr. Dunnewold for guidance in authentic parenting without guilt!

Ann Dunnewold's book stands alone among the zillion parenting books on the shelves. She not only tells you to chill out when it comes to parenting, she tells you HOW to do it! How to start thinking differently about yourself and who you want your children to be.
As a mother of four this book is a life saver, one that will quickly beome dog eared and covered in juice as I use it as a handbook for perfectly good mothering throughout my busy day!
Thanks for an outstanding book.

In a lighthearted way, Ann Dunnewold clearly explains the reality of "extreme parenting" and the pressure moms place on their children and themselves as a result of this chaotic lifestyle. What price is the family paying when mom needs perfection and what do we lose as a result? Are we still good moms if we give ourselves a break and will our kids suffer if mom doesn't give 110 percent all the time? This book lets mom know that as long as she does the best she can, she's just fine. Here's to a less stressful approach to motherhood and parenting! Debi Silber (Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach)

This book uncovers the cultural norms & expectations that are prevalent in today's society (Children of the Baby Boomers, she calls "Boomerangs"). This book has helped me to see why I place the unreasonable expectations on myself as a new mom...and how to step back and reevaluate those expectations to something healthier. All this, to produce parents and children without anxiety and depression, and to increase self-esteem and security for the whole family. This is a compassionate and informative read - just what the doctor ordered. She also includes a nice reading list of more supportive books for today's new parents. This is the first parenting book that speaks my language!

This book is by far the best parenting book I've ever read! It helped me to recover from the guilt inducing parenting style that I can blame on the oh so famous Dr. Sears! Now I am (still) a great mom to my kids and I'm even more fun since I'm not so stressed about doing it all "perfectly" anymore. I can listen to my babies cry every now and then and know it doens't mean I'm not doing a good job. And I totally agree with what all the other mommies said before me.

What a relief it was to read this book. Finally someone who understands (and has answers to) the impossible challenges moms face. Dr. Dunnewold identifies the ways you (I, we all...) fall prey to mommy madness, and she explains how to change your thinking and behavior. I came away with a solid understanding of the problems I'd already started to experience with a preschool age son, and a toolbox of strategies to help me as he enters elementary school. I can't say enough good things. Will be buying copies for my mom friends!

This book has provided validation in so many ways. It's ok to not be perfect all of the time when parenting! I could go on and on, but will simply say that this is a MUST read for all moms! (and dads, for that matter!)

While much of this book is common sense, it laid out "perfectly" (LOL!) what many mothers feel on a daily basis: the conflict between being a "perfect mother" and a "perfectly good mother." It aims to put put mothers back in charge of their lives, rather than doing what others think we "should" do - it's empowering!