Customer Reviews

Good-Enough Mother: The Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely loved this book! It is so nice to know that even celebrity moms struggle with many of the same trials that the rest of us face daily. In a society where women are expected to be "SUPER WOMEN," Rene reassures us that it's okay to be human! As I read the book, I found myself laughing out loud - a must-read for the overworked mother! I am recommending this book to all of my "mommy" friends.

I would have given this book more stars if it had been marketed differently. I think my problem with this book was viewing it as a type of parenting book. If it had instead been put into the memoir category, then I might have enjoyed it more.

I do appreciate the author's message that parents do not have to all-perfect beings. But I think I got that message somewhere in Chapter 2 or 3 and I could have skipped reading the rest of the book which was full of the author's family stories.

Instead of putting this in the parenting books, the publisher should have targeted it to working women as a "My Life in the Trenches" book. Because I think most working women are already doing a lot of what Ms. Syler recommends and could identify with her feelings and approach towards many situations.

So, if you are a fan of Ms. Syler's, then read the book and you'll get a great view of her life and her family and plenty of examples of how she puts her parenting theories into practice. And you'll learn about her house-hunting, and her shopping and bill paying habits, and her childhood, etc. This is a fun read about her day-to-day life with her family.

But if you are looking for a book that is reader-focused and targeted towards solving the readers' particular issues, then look elsewhere.

I liked the basic premise of the author admitting that she has flaws and shortcomings in the motherhood department. As women, we often measure our self-worth by comparing ourselves to others, so it's always comforting to read that there's another mother out there who also feels like she isn't perfect. However, there are only so many chapters I can read about this topic. It seemed like EVERY chapter was the same: some anecdote about the antics of the author's children, a cutesty self-depricating remark about the author's foibles in the face of said antics, and then the author bragging that she came through when it really counted.

I bought this book for my daughter-in-law because she is so organized and wants everything the best. Her new daughter is only 6 weeks old, and I wanted her to see that everything won't be perfect every time. I also wanted for her to have fun while gaining some introspect into motherhood.

Just to know that I, a mother who loves her kids, but is not a perfect person, am not alone in my quest to just "break even" a a "good enough mom" is refreshing. It seems like there are so many stories where mothers are either disgustingly (and not to mention, unrealistically) adept or on the other hand, completly incapable. I was so greatful to finally have someone with whom I can connect!

What a delightful and encouraging read! It makes me breathe a sigh of relief to know it is okay and "normal" to not have perfect order in all facets of a modern day mom's life! I have now bought this book for all of my pregnant girlfriends!

This book is a wonderful ray of hope to mothers, and even fathers, who struggle through the day, occasionally worrying about how they measure up as a parent. As if they don't have enough to worry about already!

The most wonderful thing about this book is the humor. (Remember Erma Bombeck, anyone?) Blessed be the author who can laugh at herself......and still hold her head up high!

A great read for anyone who has been/is/may become a parent!

I bought this as a gift for my best friend who is a new mommy-to-be.

What a great idea for a book! There is so much pressure out there for women to be perfect-the perfect employee, the perfect wife, the perfect daughter, the perfect friend, and the perfect mother. This book explains that it's ok to have your own style. Be sure and read the last chapter!

I worked with Rene back in the early 80's at Miller's Outpost in Sacramento California. She was very outgoing back then with a determination to achieve the best for what life called out for her. We were in our teens as clothiers trying to find our direction in life and she wanted to be voicetrous(sp?) in her future (i.e. radio, t.v.). I lost contact with her for many, many years and in the mean time I see her on T.V.( The Morning Show).I find out she has a family, she writes a book about raising a family, I date 2 different women (back to back, each having there own profitable business) with several children each and present them with her book as a gift. Not having read it, I gamble that Rene has done her homework in life (with children) and wait for the results (via ex-girlfriends thoughts on the book). Simply stated, Rene, once again, has achieved what she set out to do. Write about her experiences and share with the world. Love you Rene!

Hello world! With full disclosure I am a full fledged G.e.m. blog fan before reading this delightful book. Rene Syler nails it in this book...the legacy of each person's journey in motherhood is not about the all so perfect...it is about the days of the dreaded meetings with a Mrs Henry, juggling the job, the kids, the husband and the dog hair....The absolute best parts of this book are the times that Rene opens up about what worked as a mom and what had to be scrapped and done a different way...it has been a couple years since this book release but the lessons still apply. So, if you are browsing around for a good book...take a peek & visit her website if you are just having one of those days when nothing is going according to plan.