sneakyawe's review against another edition
5.0
I plan on reading this one over and over and over, just so that all the little things that didn't strike me as relevant now can later on. I loved this book, no doubt about it. I shed some tears and I felt like things finally made sense. It's a book for mothers, but its also a book about life. Just what I needed, and its going to stick with me for a while.
slavic_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
This book did fall short for me a little. The book did the opposite to me than the title indicated. I hoped to find some peace reading this book, but I found it made me anxious. It just felt like the author giving examples of her path through motherhood was miserable and unsure all the way through. It may have been that way but as a mother myself, yes there were plenty of moments where I didn’t feel my best or felt like a screw up, but I definitely didn’t feel that way all the time. It just felt super dramatic and I am glad I didn’t read this book when I was pregnant, because I have a feeling I would be so much more nervous having my baby then I was.
christiek's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn't until halfway through this book that I realized it was going to be all about very young children. I have no interest in reliving the baby and toddler years. I already did those sans any zen.
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
5.0
Re-reading with Mindful Mommas group. Yay!
Original Review:
The second selection for our recent roadtrip. I gave it to Mimi for her bday, and had resisted getting it for myself for over a year now. Finally gave in, and am so glad I did. While I finished 3 other books between passing snacks to the boys and entertaining Nolie, I still haven't finished this one. I found myself stopping after each chapter, needing to give it some time. I already know I'll be rereading this one. Love it.
ETA: Have reread numerous times now and loved it even more. It's not quite 200 pages, but it isn't a fast read. Definitely one I'm glad I own.
Loved the chapter on schedules, because she articulates so well what took me years to understand---that delicate balance between what your child needs but that you have to coordinate. Love the way she is able to avoid the dogmatic/idealogy that so often accompanies parenting books, as well as the "throw your hands in the air and have a cocktail" giving-up-on-trying that is often the only alternative in parenting memoirs.
Love this from Ch. 15: Workloads
"You seem to have a little problem with your work ethic," he said. I didn't follow, since I judged myself to be the hardest worker there ever was.
"You make everything work." he said.
Ding, ding, ding.
Didn't like what I read in the chapter on marriage, but it was exactly what I needed to read.
Here's the main thing I took away: I can so easily lose myself in anxiety over issues that aren't even present yet---how I'll ever leave Nolie to go to work or handle dropping Aidan off at college, or how we'll be able to keep violent video games off limits. Ridiculous worries that just eat my energy. All I need focus on is what is right in front of me. My children are telling me exactly what they need right now.
Original Review:
The second selection for our recent roadtrip. I gave it to Mimi for her bday, and had resisted getting it for myself for over a year now. Finally gave in, and am so glad I did. While I finished 3 other books between passing snacks to the boys and entertaining Nolie, I still haven't finished this one. I found myself stopping after each chapter, needing to give it some time. I already know I'll be rereading this one. Love it.
ETA: Have reread numerous times now and loved it even more. It's not quite 200 pages, but it isn't a fast read. Definitely one I'm glad I own.
Loved the chapter on schedules, because she articulates so well what took me years to understand---that delicate balance between what your child needs but that you have to coordinate. Love the way she is able to avoid the dogmatic/idealogy that so often accompanies parenting books, as well as the "throw your hands in the air and have a cocktail" giving-up-on-trying that is often the only alternative in parenting memoirs.
Love this from Ch. 15: Workloads
"You seem to have a little problem with your work ethic," he said. I didn't follow, since I judged myself to be the hardest worker there ever was.
"You make everything work." he said.
Ding, ding, ding.
Didn't like what I read in the chapter on marriage, but it was exactly what I needed to read.
Here's the main thing I took away: I can so easily lose myself in anxiety over issues that aren't even present yet---how I'll ever leave Nolie to go to work or handle dropping Aidan off at college, or how we'll be able to keep violent video games off limits. Ridiculous worries that just eat my energy. All I need focus on is what is right in front of me. My children are telling me exactly what they need right now.
starwarz36's review against another edition
5.0
The best mother "advice" book I've read. Absolutely loved this book and felt it helped me be a better mom from the first chapter. I wish I had read it when my child was an infant, but glad I've read it nonetheless.
refvemma's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended to me by my therapist when I told her I was considering motherhood. I don’t have a lot of experience with Zen Buddhism but I greatly appreciated the way Miller approaches her journey of motherhood. I will definitely be coming back to this for spiritual support through my own journey I’m sure!!
jengiuffre's review against another edition
4.0
Although much of the book would have been more helpful at earlier stages of motherhood, I took lots of notes on ideas I need to remind myself of as a parent and teacher.
Low pressure, thoughtful, and lots of easy phrases to remind me...
"Life is a garden. And you are the only gardener."
"Turns out, you can take or leave the mashed potatoes."
and many more.
A definite recommendation for moms trying to figure out how to manage it all.
Low pressure, thoughtful, and lots of easy phrases to remind me...
"Life is a garden. And you are the only gardener."
"Turns out, you can take or leave the mashed potatoes."
and many more.
A definite recommendation for moms trying to figure out how to manage it all.
ejmiddleton's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot imagine all-night nursing without this book within arm's reach. Even more relevant now that some of the kids are older.
shanaleigh70's review against another edition
5.0
I can't say enough about this book. Actually, I'm still digesting it, so I can barely verbalize about it at all. I've never read an account of early parenthood that nailed everything so very accurately. I attempt to sprinkle some Buddhist philosophy throughout my life, and this book really showed me ways I can breathe and calm myself and approach my life and my parenting in new ways. I can't recommend it highly enough to mothers everywhere. It approaches nearly every major decision you will be/have been forced to make in early motherhood with candor and authenticity, gives you new perspectives, and makes you feel so much less alone. Many books claim to do that, but this one really does. Miller has written a gem of a self-help memoir.