KIRKUS REVIEWS
WHAT THE OTHER MOTHERS KNOW
Author: Gendelman, Michele, Ilene Graff and Donna Rosenstein
Review Date: MARCH 01, 2007
Publisher:Harper Paperbacks
Price (paperback): $12.95
Publication Date: April 2007
ISBN (paperback): 9780061139864
Classification: PARENTING
Nuggets of Other Mother sagacity for those legions afflicted with clueless-mother complex.
Gendelman, Graff and Rosenstein were once Oblivious Mothers, too, and deeply irritated that Other Mothers had the jump on so many important topics: when to start enrolling for preschool (“the moment the EPT strip changes color”), who to bribe to get the car seat installed, etc. But as the authors point out, becoming an Other Mother requires mentoring by other Other Mothers. Here you will learn how to jump through all the fiery hoops of Motherhood—to give party planners a pass, and the same for Power Moms, whose only agenda is their own; to buy two sets of (used) textbooks to avoid visits to the pediatric orthopedist; to get your children involved in sports; and to install a pool alarm “that blares like a maximum-security prison klaxon when a child gets anywhere near it.” There is insider information on everything from play dates to ballet classes, and even theme movies to watch during holiday downtime.
A book that shares and celebrates the wisdom of the Other Mother—a blessing of near-saintly generosity.
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY
What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do
Michele Gendelman, Ilene Graff,Donna Rosenstein. Harper, $12.95 paper (208p) ISBN 978-0-06-113986-4
Gendelman, a comedy writer; Graff, a singer and actress; and Rosenstein, a casting director (combined mothers of four children), put their heads together to create this jaunty volume about the secrets "other mothers" know. Interviewing friends, colleagues, relatives and acquaintances in an intimate, casual manner, the three authors seek to provide a "maternal E-Z Pass" for inexperienced mothers. Advising novice moms to "always ask other moms for guidance, even if you don't know them personally," the authors believe that experienced parents will harbor tips and methods that new moms can't possibly know. Indeed, the authors do unearth plenty of worthy nuggets, such as sharing babysitting with another mom to get the grocery shopping done solo, or keeping a car seat in each family vehicle…Written in a breezy, fun-loving style, the authors concentrate on the early years, working their way up to school-age kids. This self-described "mother of all mothering books" contains some useful and unique ideas.
Busy Mom Reviews: Nice people, Cool Stuff
What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do by by Michele Gendelman, Ilene Graff and Donna Rosenstein is a practical, fun book of parenting advice, that is very much like the title suggests.
The authors interviewed friends and family to get real world advice for new parents. There’s no what you “should be” doing, it's all about suggestions from house cleaning to discipline, and what's worked for other people.
If you’re new to parenting, check this one out, and before you know it, you'll be one of the “Other Mothers” who are giving the tips and hints.
Experienced parents will enjoy the humor and discussion. What the Other Mothers Know would make a great gift for any parent of young children. Get one for a baby shower, or an Easter gift!
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