Mother's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What I've Learned in My Never-Ending Quest to Become a Dalai Mama [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Amy Krause Rosenthal (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"To be a mom is to have, at any given moment, everything turned completely on its head. That is why the word for Mom is Mom, and not Som, or Pom, or Bloot--because MOM upside down is WOW. That is it right there, the single truth, inherent in the very word--motherhood is one big, intense, erratic, emphatic WOW. Wow, this is tough! Wow, this is joyous! Wow, this is a nightmare! Wow, this is phenomenal! Wow, I love these kids! Wow, are they annoying!"

Humorist and mother of three Amy Krouse Rosenthal has a knack for recording the minutiae of everyday life, for finding the WOW in a seemingly mundane reality. In this hilarious follow-up to her much-gabbed-about The Book of Eleven and The Same Phrase Describes My Marriage and My Breasts: Before the Kids, They Used to Be Such a Cute Couple, Amy contemplates what it means to be a mother.

Like life, motherhood is full of lessons: You can't please everyone all the time. No matter what you forget to pack, it all works out in the end. Some days your zipper will jam and your ice cream will fall down a sewer. Whether celebrating the music of motherhood ("I love you, Mommy.") or reflecting on the death of a child, Amy captures the incredible ups, downs, and in-betweens of motherhood with unflinching honesty and an irrestibly quirky charm.

Whether you're seeking comic relief or absolution of mother's guilt (for not filling out the baby book properly, for feeling thankful for McDonald's, for not making homemade Halloween costumes, for taking time to read this book, for not being perfect), A Mother's Guide to the Meaning of Life delivers the goods, plus plenty of sage advice from the trenches of motherhood. Advice to be remembered for a lifetime. Advice like, "Let go of perfectionism. Just drop it. And look at it this way: If you really were a perfect mother, everyone would hate you."

For those who have mastered multi-tasking--an essential trait of mothers--this book is a perfect companion when slicing a flank steak, folding towels, or decorating a sombrero for Crazy Hat Day. And for those still perfecting their mom skills: Put down the butcher knife, pick up this book, and start laughing.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Daybreak Books; illustrated edition edition (April 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579543421
• ISBN-13: 978-1579543426
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #357,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for every parent, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This book was laugh out loud funny. Amy is incredibly witty. She finds humor in ordinary family life. After I read this book I realized that my family is actually "normal". I read this book in one night. Once you start reading you will not be able to put it down. After reading this book I felt a sense of relief from the frustrations of the toddler years. Buy it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars helpful and amusing, May 24, 2001

By A Customer

I have read all 3 of Amy's books. They are full of earthy wisdom about child-rearing and motherhood...AND, they're fun and funny to read. I gave this book to a first time mother (over40) who feared that her so-called negative feelings were off the chart. After she read Amy's book, she felt so reassured.

Keep up the good work Amy. Write a book about anything and I'll read it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for mothers, April 18, 2001

By A Customer

This book is a gem, not just for mothers, but for keen observers of the wonders of everyday life. I'm not yet a mother, one month and counting, but I found this book filled with wisdom and wit. If my experiences can be any where close to those of Amy Krouse Rosenthal I can only guess that I'm going to love this trip down motherhood lane. I also have a feeling I'll be reading Ms. Rosenthal's words again and again searching through these pages for those pearls of advice that I can use in my own life. I hope to see more from this talented and thought provoking author!