The Woman Who Gave Birth to Her Mother: Seven Stages of Change in Women's Lives

Rating:
Summary: important for every woman who is a daughter and/or a mother
Review: Chernin describes a way to unravel the knot that binds mothers and their daughters. The first 46 pages are the guide...the rest are stories of women who collectively speak as Everywoman. Chernin's listening skills are apparent on every page, as is her warmth and empathy.

Rating:
Summary: very eye-opening
Review: i loved what chernin had to say about the importance of telling your mother-story over and over until you reach a place of understanding with your idea of your mother as a person. i feel like i am doing this now and this book was a wonderful guide - great stories by all the women.

Rating:
Summary: life-changing book
Review: In this book, Kim Chernin speaks to mothers and daughters who are trying to connect or reconnect to each other. She tells the stories of many mothers and daughters, including the story of her own relationship with her mother and with her daughter. The concept of giving birth to your mother is one in which a daughter can go through feelings of anger, disappointment, and whatever other feelings she might have toward her mother, take these feelings, and then try to give birth to her own mother, possibly through therapy, through self-care, or something else. I have recommended this book to many clients who struggle with their relationship with their mothers; it is a refreshing, poignant, honest, and enjoyable read.