Ita Buttrose

This was the perfect book for me to read when i bought it - i was going back to work part time, which means my son was going to daycare Do i feel Motherguilt? A little, but this book has helped me understand that i really shouldn't feel guilty at all.

This book is more a collection of anecdotes than an academic study about why mothers feel so much guilt about aspects of motherhood, though there are mentions of academic studies. But it is interesting to read what other mothers feel about raising children, and to find out that no matter what our life situation, mothers inevitably feel guilty about something! There is no real 'plan' for overcoming this guilt, but this book does help explain that much of this guilt is irrational, and that modern mothers need to be fulfilled if they are to be their best as mothers.

Admittedly, the viewpoint for much of this book is that putting children in childcare is not a good idea, but i think it also acknowledges that in this modern society that is sometimes the best option, rather than having a depressed mother. The ultimate message is that mothers need to remember that they are people, not just childrearers, and that if you do your best, you are doing well. It also points out that though we live in a political climate that espouses family values, there is not much support for those raising families.… (más)