The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide has been getting good buzz. Here's what some readers have emailed to Melissa and posted on amazon.com.
Personal messages from readers:
"It was great to read a book by someone who understands what we're going
through—rather than those books by celebrities or therapists who have
full-time help raising their kids!" — Julie
"I'm a former teacher and relatively
new SAHM (2 kiddos, 17 months and 8 months) and desperately needed help
figuring it all out. Being at home with my girls is by far the most
draining thing I have ever done—and I used to keep up with a
classroom full of first graders! Your book has helped me become a
better (rested, recharged, realistic) mama. Thank you so much for
taking the time to share such important and insightful advice. — Stephanie
"I found [your book] one night when, after a particularly long week, I Googled 'mind
numbing stay at home mom' ... Thank you for being so
honest about all we SAH moms feel. I feel so much better knowing
that many other mothers are going through the same trials and
tribulations It's usually hard to get moms to be honest. Most
just say what a blessing it is, but many don't say it's so
hard sometimes, and you don't enjoy every day, and THAT'S
OK!!! I've felt everything you talked about in your book and
identified with so many (like the lady whose degrees mock her or the lady who
feels like she's in the movie Groundhog Day as she lives the same day
over and over). I've felt the same as almost every mom in your book, and I
can't tell you how happy I am with your honesty on each subject." — Jill
"You did a wonderful job of relaying all the mixed
feeling moms at home can experience. Sometimes, I felt like I was reading my
own words. I picked your book up over the course of many evenings and it gave
me great comfort." — Pam
"I could relate to so, so much of everything written... Not only was [your book] supportive and encouraging to reassure the reader
they're doing the right thing, but it was very educational, especially the
chapter on finances. Very real stuff, very wise and very much necessary
for women everywhere, no matter their circumstance." —
Bhavna
Amazon reviews:
"I bought 4
different books on the topic, and ONE did help. This one. More than
that it was a lifesaver. I felt like I wasn't alone in the struggles I
was facing. This book gave me confidence ... Now knowing that I wasn't the only mom who
struggled with all the tasks of stay at home parenting I confessed my
struggles to [a mom at a playgroup] and you could see her great relief... This book could easily
be titled "The Secret Confessions of Stay at Home Moms." I loved it and
would recommend it to anyone and everyone thinking about staying at
home with their kids. Most important, this book does not peg employed
mothers and non-employed mothers against one another. It respects the
decisions of both. It just helps the later to cope better with theirs." —"A No Longer Struggling Stay at Home Mom," amazon.com reader
[The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide] has been instrumental in helping me adjust to being a SAHM.
The advice is articulate and concrete. Chapters are organized according
to specific issues. I actually loved the book so much I read it cover-to-cover and then
went back to review specifics. I would highly recommend this book to
anyone who is considering, or who is, a stay-at-home parent." — S. Dahl, amazon.com reader
"This book is a must-read for all women who are either considering
staying home with their kids or who have been doing it for years. It is
encouraging and honest without being condescending." — PW Mom, amazon.com reader
"This is a real world book for real world moms." — Jljmr, amazon.com reader
"In my work I counsel parents and I recommend this book to the
moms who stay home. I read it, and enjoyed it greatly, even though I've
already survived those years. The author is smart, supportive,
nonjudgmental and really captures the reality of stay at home
motherhood. [The book] helps moms who are struggling with
the daily grind of motherhood realize they aren't alone in sometimes
feeling bored, frustrated, lonely, vulnerable, overwhelmed. I also
recommend the book to mothers who are thinking about leaving the
workforce, not to change their mind, but so they are prepared." — Cary Ann, amazon.com reader
"Finally a real perspective on what it's like to be at home, with kids, all day, every day ... and not loving it all day, every day. I found the book totally validating." — J. Beard, amazon.com reader
"I know this author and work at a children's boutique so we got a few
copies and put them out for display. The books were a hit! Although a
few moms bought the book for themselves, even more people who came in
to buy something for a child wound up buying the book to give as a gift
to a mom. Husbands would say, "Oh, I think my wife needs this."
Grandmothers would say, "My daughter really needs this." It was
interesting to see. I'm getting more books." — Jen, amazon.com reader
"The insights and anecdotes are well chosen and capture the angst that
many professional, educated moms experience when making this change. A
great read." — Lyn, amazon.com reader
"I recommend this book to anyone who has had a fulfilling career and is
now choosing (or not) to become a full-time/stay-at-home parent. I have
read many books on the subject and found this to be one of the best.
It's not a feel-good book to praise you for your decision. It is really
focused on how to get the most out of the job! .... This book offers good advice and frank discussion on the subject. It was helpful, instructional and gave me a boost!!" — Laura A. Neuman ("Mom of Preschoolers"), amazon.com reader
"I could so relate to the author and the other stay-at-home moms in the
book. What I loved about this book is that it acknowledges that while
children are a blessing, and in today's economic times families like
ours are fortunate to be able to live on one income, many SAH moms
struggle with the role. I loved that the author and the moms she
interviewed could be honest about their often mixed feelings about
being 24/7 hands-on mothers. I feel that way. The book made me feel
good, as a stay-at-home mom, and as the working mom I was and might be
again. I also loved that the author doesn't play into the Mommy Wars. Women
with children need to support one another, not snipe at one another" — MayaMc, amazon.com reader
