Mother Shock: Loving Every (Other) Minute of It

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Summary: A must for new moms
Review: Any new mom who has questioned her sanity and mothering skills can relate to this book. As a mom of a toddler and infant, so much of what Buchanan describes struck home with me! I cannot recommend this book enough!

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Summary: A Grandmother Remembers and Agrees
Review: As a grandmother of toddlers, I found Mother Shock to be a truthful, humorous look at life's "most natural" experience. Andrea J Buchanan has presented all mothers (and mothers-to-be) with a wonderful gift.

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Summary: An honest, funny, warts-and-all look at motherhood
Review: Being only in my first trimester, I cannot rate this book based on its correspondence to my own mothering experience. However, I can say that I found it emotionally stirring and hilariously funny at the same time, and I am very glad I read it.

It is not for the timid or for those who believe that motherhood is one joyful moment after another. It is perfect for people who want to see how one intelligent woman braved motherhood and came out with new insights to share about herself, and about other mothers.

Please note: This is NOT a how-to manual. It is not meant as a parenting or pregnancy guidance book, nor was intended to be. It is a highly personal series of essays about the sometimes uneasy process of adjusting from woman to mother.

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Summary: Ah, the humanity!!
Review: Bless Andrea Buchanan for providing such a REAL book about the trials and tribulations of parenthood! I often find myself laughing out loud, and pages later, tearing up at her poignant description of her daughter. Truly, I am purchasing this book for friends who have recently experienced "mother shock" as I hope that they too can feel more understood by sharing Andrea's perspective!! Kudos, Ms. Buchanan, on an EXCELLENT book!

Rating:
Summary: Every Woman Should Read This
Review: Every woman who is a mother, might be a mother, has one, or knows one, should read this book about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of parenting. Perhaps the only honest book ever written about parenting, and Buchanan's lively writing makes it a joy to read.

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Summary: I laughed, cried and bought it for all my friends
Review: FINALLY! A real account of motherhood, what an absoulte blessing. I am saving my copy in a special place to give to my own two daughters when they are ready to have children. It was like Andrea had read my mind and carefully pulled out my deepest feelings, my darkest fears. As the mother of three, at times I have felt completely alone. After reading Mother Shock I am relieved to know that I am not the only one who has found motherhood to be the best and the worst experience all rolled up into one messy, lovely little package.

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Summary: Mother Shock!!!!!
Review: First of all - I NEVER write reviews.....BUT - I absolutely HAD to write one for this book....As a new mother - this book hit home like no other. It made me laugh and cry as I read the way she put into words exactly how I had been feeling about the transition into motherhood. It was brutally honest, as am I, regarding those first emotionally charged and exhausting months of being a mom.....My baby is now 6 months old, and I am finally getting over SOME of this "mother shock", but still have a ways to go! I do plan on rereading this very soon....It is definitely a MUST-READ for ALL new mothers!!!!!! You will not be disappointed - just get it!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Add this to your pregnancy/childbirth library!
Review: Great read for first time moms! Read it as your due date approaches, but try to skim over the author's description of her first childbirth experience--it had me doubting my ability to withstand natural childbirth. Ms. Buchanan is brutally honest and women everywhere should thank her for it.

Rating:
Summary: A personal introspection only
Review: I agree with Catherine Dahl's review. As a new mother of a pre-toddler, I picked up this book with great interest after seeing it reviewed in a parenting magazine. However, I found the author presents a very personal view that seems to be strongly influenced by overwhelming insecurities about being a mom (and possibly about herself in general?). I wondered also at her unrealistic expectation of "loving every minute of it." I do not know who she talked to, but is there anything in life that one loves for every minute of it?
The author is very introspective and I found this troubling at times, especially when she wrote letters to her daughter saying something similar to: "I know someday there will be a separation between us; I can feel it. Now I treasure the time when you have no choice but to love me." It seems that there are much deeper issues going on in this book than just the common insecurities that we all feel as new moms.
I feel like this book gives a highly personal view that many moms may not identify with. Although I am a pretty introspective person myself (as many women are), my advice to the author would be to spend less time in deep thoughts and try to enjoy the present moment more.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book for mothers
Review: I am so happy I found this book. I have 3 small children and often stressed out, exhausted, etc. I am hardly the perfect, happy, energize mother that I imagined I would be. I am so happy to hear another mother talk about the "dark side" of mothering. It lets me know I am not alone and there isn't something "wrong" with me. I have 2 upcoming baby showers, and I'll be giving this book as a gift. I think it's like being able to tell them how I feel, but more of a fun read than I could come up with myself. I definitely recommend this book to all mothers and mothers-to-be.