Tales from the Homefront

Rating:
Summary: This book should be on every mother's bookshelf
Review: Seldom have I started reading a book and immediately identified with all the characters and their troubles, hopes, fears, and dreams. I know I won't be alone - mothers of all walks of life will find themselves contained within the pages of Tales from the Homefront. A collection of essays and articles packed with vital information, inspiration and sometimes just plain silliness, this volume is the product of nine years worth of the FEMALE (Formerly Employed Mothers at the Leading Edge) Forum.

This book covers every aspect of a mother's life - from finding a new identity (or, how to answer the dreaded question, "What do you DO for a living?") to handling rough days (when do moms ever have smooth days?) to sequencing back to a career (both working-at-home and working outside of the home). Future generations of children will greatly benefit from the collective wisdom of these courageous, stay-at-home mother-authors. A reference work that can't be put down, Tales from the Homefront should be on every mother's and mother-to-be's reference shelf right next to Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific book written by and for moms
Review: The national mothers' association Mothers & More, formerly known as FEMALE (Formerly Employed Mothers at the Leading Edge), offers a beautifully written book, loaded with stories that at-home moms need to hear! Fifty chapters of glorious reading on the joys and frustrations of motherhood. Each article demonstrates a mother's warmth and love for her children, while not dismissing the changes, sacrifices, and adjustments that mothers make to give the very best to their growing kids. In a society that focuses heavily on children's needs, this book offers something for Mom.The book fires on all the at-home pistons. There are articles on leaving careers, adjusting into new roles and relationships, dealing with the stress of bad days, the sweetness of child-raising, financial concerns, networking with other SAHMs, working at home, moving back into a career, and finding advocacy. My favorite thing about this book? The chapters are short and diverse, so I could read one while I waited for something to boil, or for someone to go potty, or for someone to find Barbie's other shoe. Then I could put the book down for a bit and not feel like I lost my place! My hat is off to these moms who left visible, responsible positions so they could be visible and responsible to their kids. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific book written by and for moms
Review: The national mothers' association Mothers & More, formerly known as FEMALE (Formerly Employed Mothers at the Leading Edge), offers a beautifully written book, loaded with stories that at-home moms need to hear! Fifty chapters of glorious reading on the joys and frustrations of motherhood. Each article demonstrates a mother's warmth and love for her children, while not dismissing the changes, sacrifices, and adjustments that mothers make to give the very best to their growing kids. In a society that focuses heavily on children's needs, this book offers something for Mom.The book fires on all the at-home pistons. There are articles on leaving careers, adjusting into new roles and relationships, dealing with the stress of bad days, the sweetness of child-raising, financial concerns, networking with other SAHMs, working at home, moving back into a career, and finding advocacy. My favorite thing about this book? The chapters are short and diverse, so I could read one while I waited for something to boil, or for someone to go potty, or for someone to find Barbie's other shoe. Then I could put the book down for a bit and not feel like I lost my place! My hat is off to these moms who left visible, responsible positions so they could be visible and responsible to their kids. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: somewhat trite
Review: This book was somewhat disappointing as most of the "stories" were limited to one-page accounts. There is an Erma Bombeck cheeriness to this compilation which detracts from the seriousness of its intended purpose, which is to give mothers, particularly full-time mothers, a forum in which to see their experiences echoed and validated by other women. There is very little analysis, if any, as to the myriad societal forces which encourage a woman's sense of isolation and lonliness at a time when she most needs support. For a deeper, more intellectual look at motherhood, I would recommend "The Mother Reader".

Rating:
Summary: somewhat trite
Review: This book was somewhat disappointing as most of the "stories" were limited to one-page accounts. There is an Erma Bombeck cheeriness to this compilation which detracts from the seriousness of its intended purpose, which is to give mothers, particularly full-time mothers, a forum in which to see their experiences echoed and validated by other women. There is very little analysis, if any, as to the myriad societal forces which encourage a woman's sense of isolation and lonliness at a time when she most needs support. For a deeper, more intellectual look at motherhood, I would recommend "The Mother Reader".