The Myth of the Perfect Mother: Parenting Without Guilt

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, intelligent book.
Review: The Myth of the Perfect Mother is a wonderfully intelligent and readable book about mothering. Dr, Swigart cuts through all the academic cant on the subject by other psychologists and "experts." This book is clearly written by a mother for mothers and in a compassionate voice confronts all the ambivalence involved in parenting.

Rating:
Summary: A deep psychological perspective of mothering
Review: This book was purchased with the intent of a light bedtime read. It was apparent within a few pages, however, that a great deal of introspection would be required to absorb its content. It presents mothering as the sometimes agonizing and relentless challenge that it truly is and gives permission to those of us who are certainly imperfect, to feel the intense emotions that often remain internalized. It was a difficult book to put down yet, at the same time, difficult to handle. Numerous references are made to Sylvia Plath and Ann Sexton and their writings, especially in regard to their relationships with their children. Literary works are frequently quoted as they relate to society's difficulty with accepting the role of mothering as any less than an idealistic Madonna model. I would highly recommend this book to anyone searching for meaning in the ambivalent feelings we often have as mothers. It is eye-opening, however, and requires a modicum of tolerance for the thoughts expressed.