Motherhood without Guilt: Being the Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It [Paperback]

Cathy Bouchard (Author), Debra Rosenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Moms feel guilty about everything...

They think they're not doing enough for themselves, for their children and
for their spouses. They question their decisions about working vs. staying
at home. They agonize over keeping up with housework, struggle in their
relationship with their husband, wrestle with negative feelings about their
children from time to time and worry that they don't measure up to their own
or others' expectations.

In short, feeling guilty is pervasive among mothers; it just seems to come
with the territory. Motherhood without Guilt uses a question-and-answer
format to address all the issues that cause a mother to feel bad about her
mothering, and shows how to:
--Reconcile working vs. staying at home
--Be emotionally available to your kids in just the right way
--Take good care of yourself, too
--Create partnership in parenting with your husband
--Nurture friendships and get support from others


Related title:
The New Mom's Companion
1-4022-0014-5

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Debra Gilbert Rosenberg is a licensed clinical social worker and the mother
of three children. Since earning her master's degree from the University of
Chicago, she has been a psychotherapist working with individuals and
families. In addition, she develops and presents workshops and lectures on
parenting issues and teaches sociology courses on the college level. For the
past 13 years she has been running a discussion/support group for new
mothers. She is the author of The New Mom's Companion (Sourcebooks, 2003).
Rosenberg lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402202288
• ISBN-13: 978-1402202285
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motherhod Without Guilt: That would be nice!, November 8, 2004

By 

Kathy (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motherhood without Guilt: Being the Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It (Paperback)

The first thoughts that came to mind when I saw Motherhood Without Guilt on the bookstore shelf, were that there is no way that this book could convince me that parenthood/motherhood is possible without guilt. As a mother of a 16 year-old daughter, 11 year old son, and a clinical social worker for 20 years, knew better! I continued to peruse the book and skeptically bought it and took it home. After finishing the book (within the next two days), I had a new perspective on what the author was trying to convey to mothers. Ms. Rosenberg writes a practical book which answers many questions that many women think of, but are afraid to talk about or admit to themselves, partners, or even other mothers. Ms. Rosenberg also addresses the issue of self-care and the importance of self-nurturing- which many readers would view as "selfish". The author is able to give examples of ways mothers can start to take care of themselves better with the understanding that their health and happiness is a critical element in good parenting. I would highly recommend this book, and have already recommended it to many of my clients and friends who are mothers. Although I am still convinced of the impossibility of motherhood without guilt, I believe this book will educate women about how to balance their own personal lives/needs with the many demands of motherhood. Readers will definitely come away from this book with new information, and practical advice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another wonderful resource, September 14, 2005

By 

C. Adams (Elmhurst, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motherhood without Guilt: Being the Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It (Paperback)

I have recommended Debra's first book, The New Mom's Companion, to so many people, and I now have another wonderful resource for friends, clients, and collegues. As a Parent Coach and teacher I am always looking for material to share with mothers who are feeling guilty and overwhelmed. This book provides invaluable insight about a number of situations, and it leaves the reader feeling "normal" and hopeful. The first chapter outlines the "principles of good parenting" which serves as a wonderful guide to parents who are searching for the best way to direct their well-intentioned energy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful resource for all moms, June 25, 2007

By 

Jennifer W (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motherhood without Guilt: Being the Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It (Paperback)

I just love this book. No matter how much we love our kids and try to do the best we can, don't moms always end up feeling guilty somehow? It's such a shame, because that guilt really gets in the way of enjoying the best job on earth. This writer must be psychic, because the questions she presents are the ones that go through every mom's head all the time. Her answers are thoughtful, thorough, and well written. The question & answer format makes for easy reading and quick "bites" for busy moms on the go.