A review by kbirdy
Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men by Meg Meeker

2.0

I only got 70% of the way through this book. I really tried to finish it but got progressively more uncomfortable with the perspectives of childhood development in XY individuals by this pediatrician. I honestly think that this book is dated, that her advice is specific to an earlier generation of mothers. First of, she’s incredibly judgey towards women, for example, she proclaims that most women focus too much on exercising or cooking organic food than to play with their sons, when in reality, most women are trying to maintain their full time job and fulfill the needs that need to be met physically to meet just the first hierarchy of needs (clean house, good food, clean clothes..) so what if a mom wants to exercise?! Cut her some slack if she needs to do something for herself, I think it’s important for boys to have role models of women taking care of themselves rather than constantly putting everyone else ahead of themselves.

She also recommends that single mothers find a role model.. like a priest.. to take their sons on solo trips. IS SHE FOR REAL?! As a pediatrician I would think she would know better than to make recommendations such as this.

I do appreciate how she gives anecdotal stories about mothers who felt something was wrong with their sons but had a hard time getting their sons to open up. The advice to just be there physically and remind them constantly that they can talk to you seems to be some excellent advice.

Also, her advice to create rituals really inspired me to implement a nightly wrestling session to end the day with my sons and it’s been a highlight of their days.

So while most of it was terrible, I still go some great pearls.