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tasmanian_bibliophile's review
3.0
‘What does it mean to be a good mother?’
Jessica Rowe, an Australian mother, author and journalist, explores the question and practice of motherhood in conversations with eleven other mothers. Each of these women has a public profile in Australia and while they are at different stages in their mothering roles, reading their comments is a reminder that the concerns and challenges of motherhood are shared.
Jessica Rowe spoke with - Tina Arena, Elizabeth Broderick, Quentin Bryce, Darcey Bussell, Collette Dinnigan, Wendy Harmer, Gail Kelly, Lisa McCune, Heidi Middleton, Nova Peris and Maggie Tabberer. Ms Rowe also includes a chapter on her own experience, including dealing with post natal depression.
So why these particular women? Each woman is someone whom Jessica Rowe admires and respects. Each is successful, and each is a mother. All women face challenges as part of their mothering, but they need not be faced alone. Trying to balance life, children, relationships and work is difficult and there is no universal solution to the challenge. These women share what worked (and what didn't) for them. And, as Quentin Bryce told herself: `You can have it all, but not all at the same time.'
I agree with Jessica Rowe that sharing stories does enable mothers to connect and to feel less alone. Of course, as Jessica Rowe found, not all groups are equally helpful. Sometimes, the best help comes from those who've been mothers for a while, not those new to the experience. And sometimes, the best help is professional. I enjoyed each chapter of this book: each woman's experience is worth reading. I especially appreciated Jessica Rowe's sharing of her experience with post natal depression (PND). It is unfortunately still true that there is a stigma around PND and it can be very, very difficult to ask for help.
I wish I'd had some of these conversations myself, nearly 30 years ago, when I was a new mother.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Jessica Rowe, an Australian mother, author and journalist, explores the question and practice of motherhood in conversations with eleven other mothers. Each of these women has a public profile in Australia and while they are at different stages in their mothering roles, reading their comments is a reminder that the concerns and challenges of motherhood are shared.
Jessica Rowe spoke with - Tina Arena, Elizabeth Broderick, Quentin Bryce, Darcey Bussell, Collette Dinnigan, Wendy Harmer, Gail Kelly, Lisa McCune, Heidi Middleton, Nova Peris and Maggie Tabberer. Ms Rowe also includes a chapter on her own experience, including dealing with post natal depression.
So why these particular women? Each woman is someone whom Jessica Rowe admires and respects. Each is successful, and each is a mother. All women face challenges as part of their mothering, but they need not be faced alone. Trying to balance life, children, relationships and work is difficult and there is no universal solution to the challenge. These women share what worked (and what didn't) for them. And, as Quentin Bryce told herself: `You can have it all, but not all at the same time.'
I agree with Jessica Rowe that sharing stories does enable mothers to connect and to feel less alone. Of course, as Jessica Rowe found, not all groups are equally helpful. Sometimes, the best help comes from those who've been mothers for a while, not those new to the experience. And sometimes, the best help is professional. I enjoyed each chapter of this book: each woman's experience is worth reading. I especially appreciated Jessica Rowe's sharing of her experience with post natal depression (PND). It is unfortunately still true that there is a stigma around PND and it can be very, very difficult to ask for help.
I wish I'd had some of these conversations myself, nearly 30 years ago, when I was a new mother.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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