The Mother Dance: How Children Change Your Life
Product Description
From the celebrated author of The Dance of Anger comes an extraordinary book about mothering and how it transforms us–and all our relationships–inside and out. Written from her dual perspective as a psychologist and a mother, Lerner brings us deeply personal tales that run the gamut from the hilarious to the heart-wrenching. From birth or adoption to the empty nest, The Mother Dance teaches the basic lessons of motherhood: that we are not in control of what happen… More >>
I read this The Mother Dance in order to “review” a book for a family relationships class. unfortunately, i felt so unmotivated by the authors writing style and lack of factual infromation and studies that i had to skim through it just to be able to finish my paper. Lerner breaks down the book into stereotypical highlights that many mothers come across in parenthood, but does not allow for single mothers or stay at home moms. also this is writen strictly from her vantage point. the majority stories are from the view of a feminist psychologist, who got pregnant later in life and had not really planned to have kids at all. Her testimonials are support for her narrarations and all come from a Heterosexual couples standpoint (which is smart, cause that is most likely who will buy this book). and when she does talk about minorities or underclass mothers, it is to preach about how there are too many social injustices in the world. the flow of the book seems like one never ending phone call, with one woman complaining about her kids, and the other one saying that she’s been there too.If i was able to, i would return this book and try to get my money back. if you plan on buysing this, please at least brows through the first chapter at your local library or bookstore before you invest money into it!
Rating: 2 / 5
I was very disappointed in this book. Being a new mother I thought I would be able to relate, enjoy and learn from Harriet Lerner, however all I learned is that I would be better off reading other books. This entire book is nothing but reference to other authors, Drs, psychologists and more. I got a strong sense that Ms Lerner does not have an original thought of her own. Some of the anecdotes she uses about her family are humorous and entertaining but reading this book was more like eavesdropping on the mothers table in my local Starbucks. …returns based on whether you liked a book or not, this one would be going back.
Rating: 1 / 5
Typically, I enjoy non-fiction, anecdotal books about a subject I can relate to–like mothering–but this book feels like one long justification of the mothering style and feelings of the author. She obviously feels guilty about the way she parented her children, and is using this book as the vehicle to help herself feel right about her own choices. There is NO consideration given for mothers who actually do choose to stay at home, would rather raise their children themselves than have someone else do it, and who actually enjoy the time they spend with their children as stay-at-home moms. She acts like these mothers are lying to themselves about their true aspirations. She claims that couples that feature a stay-at-home mom and a primary breadwinner husband are “backsliding” into traditional roles. If you’re a working mom who feels guilty about the choices you’ve made, this book is for you. Otherwise, keep looking.
Rating: 1 / 5
I was very dissapointed with this book. First of all, this is a book completely biased toward working mothers. Ms Lerner refers to a stay at home in her book as a martyr. She uses this book as a platform for her feminist agenda as SHE sees feminism. The whole book feels like she’s trying to work out her guilt over how she mothered. She feels the need to say over and over that we’re not responsible for how our children turn out. What on earth does that have to do with the present state of mothering? That is flawed logic. Of course we have a huge stake in how our children turn out. Check it out from the library before you buy it. You’ll see what I mean!
Rating: 2 / 5
Harriet Lerner mixes brilliant advice with comic relief. Anybody who has been a mother, or will be a mother, should read this wonderful book.
Rating: 5 / 5