A Mother's Circle: An Intimate Dialogue on Becoming a Mother [Paperback]

Jean Kunhardt (Author), Lisa Spiegel (Author), Sandra Kunhardt Basile (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004

This updated version of "A Mother's Circle" chronicles the experiences of nine new mothers in a parenting discussion group led by Jean Kunhardt and Lisa Spiegel. "A Mother's Circle is informative and reassuring," writes Miriam Arond, Editor-in Chief of Child Magazine. "It will help you feel confident and supported, qualities that are so important in helping you enjoy this wonderful new stage of your life." The revised edition covers important topics such as feeding, separation and attachment, marriage, co-parenting and a woman's identity. The first chapter defines Responsive Parenting, a thoughtful approach that allows parents to make more finely-tuned responses to their baby's needs, whether it is setting a limit or nurturing and coddling. The expanded chapter on Sleep includes a Sleep Chart to help parents track the progress their babies in learning to sleep through the night.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love it! I think it is the most realistic and helpful book available for new moms." -- Diane Debrovner, Parents Magazine

"This is a beautifully written, supportive and sensitive book that would make an excellent gift for any new mother." -- Nancy Samalin, author of Loving Your Child Is Not Enough

From the Inside Flap

Praise for A Mother's Circle

"This is the only book I've read that helped me both care for my baby and understand myself as a new mother."
- Sarah Jessica Parker

"I love it! I think it is the most realistic and helpful book available for new moms."
- Diane Debrovner, Parents Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Soho Parenting Center, the; 3rd edition (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966689011
• ISBN-13: 978-0966689013
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Jean and Lisa !, December 31, 1999

By 

M Franklin (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mother's Circle : How Your Baby Changes How Your Baby Changes You (Paperback)

This is the only book I've read that helps with the changes in relationships that follow the birth of child...deals non-judgementally with those of us who choose to bottle feed or return to work...to explain why our partners' response is not what we bargained for and MOST IMPORTANTLY how to help our kids sleep through the night and nap properly - so that they are HAPPY when awake.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT read for new moms..., May 14, 2004

By 

S. Meunier "mythreebythesea" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Mother's Circle : How Your Baby Changes How Your Baby Changes You (Paperback)

My physician recommended this book after the birth of my son...his wife is actually one of the contributing authors. He gave it rave reviews...(as any good husband would do for his wife, I thought.) Luckily for me, I actually followed his recommendation,searched down a copy and read it.

This book is the first one I've read as a new mother that made me feel like I wasn't completely alone in some of my experiences as a new mom. If that had been the only thing I had gotten out of it, I would have been thrilled. However, this book offers so much more.

You can read it and put it down...there are no scientific terms and techniques (had enough of those?). It gave me the confidence to be the mother that I always knew I could be...and to be able to forgive myself for not having ALL the answers (hint: you can never have all the answers).

I felt good every time I put it down...even if I could only read for a couple of minutes. Do yourself a favor - buy a copy. Actually, buy TWO. One for yourself...and one for someone else that's had a new baby. She will be a friend indeed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I read as a new mother, February 18, 2004

By 

Jill S. "author" (Larchmont, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Mother's Circle : How Your Baby Changes How Your Baby Changes You (Paperback)

This book--and the Soho Parenting Group it led me to--saved my life as an overwhelmed new mother. Intead of preaching to you, as so many other parenting books do, it explores the wide range of emotions new parents feel about their baby, their identities, and their relationship as they take on the life-changing process of parenting. Speigel and Kunhardt also give very helpful, very specific guidelines for caring for your baby, helping him or her sleep through the night, feeding, and other essential topics. All in a caring and supportive way. I give this book as a gift to all new parents now.