Scan barcode
cathybruce208's review against another edition
3.0
This book is written by a pediatrician, but it's really about how we women can make our own lives better. The author has a warm, friendly voice and her writing includes many anecdotes to illustrate the topics of each of the 10 "Habits."
I think there was a lot of good advice in this book, but I admit that some chapters held my attention more than others. Some of the chapters felt like she was talking directly to me, but others sections felt curiously flat. I guess that it's normal for a self-help book to identify with some chapters more than others.
The sections on envy, solitude and hope all spoke to me and made me see things from a different perspective. I thought the religion and spirituality section was a little vague, but that's one area of my life where I don't feel lacking. (At least there's one!) All in all, I think this book is a good read with a lot to offer.
PS. One nitpicky thing: a lot of her anecdotes are about personal friends and acquaintances. It's clear that these women belong to the upper-middle and upper classes. Sometimes I questioned whether this book was directed at a wide audience (or at me). One woman who reduced her working hours to spend more time with her daughter had to move out of a 5,600 sq. ft. house she could no longer afford. It gave me a pang to think she "downsized" into a house that was probably still double the size of mine!
I think there was a lot of good advice in this book, but I admit that some chapters held my attention more than others. Some of the chapters felt like she was talking directly to me, but others sections felt curiously flat. I guess that it's normal for a self-help book to identify with some chapters more than others.
The sections on envy, solitude and hope all spoke to me and made me see things from a different perspective. I thought the religion and spirituality section was a little vague, but that's one area of my life where I don't feel lacking. (At least there's one!) All in all, I think this book is a good read with a lot to offer.
PS. One nitpicky thing: a lot of her anecdotes are about personal friends and acquaintances. It's clear that these women belong to the upper-middle and upper classes. Sometimes I questioned whether this book was directed at a wide audience (or at me). One woman who reduced her working hours to spend more time with her daughter had to move out of a 5,600 sq. ft. house she could no longer afford. It gave me a pang to think she "downsized" into a house that was probably still double the size of mine!
sarahanne8382's review
2.0
I tried. I really tried. Over the last 6 months or so I tried to finish this guide to sane parenting. I got about halfway and realized that I just don't really care. This isn't a bad book, just not a particularly interesting one. I feel like most of what she writes are things I could be reminded of just by getting involved with a mothers group at my church. It's all fairly common sense, vaguely Bible-based advice for parents to stop and evaluate their lives to make sure they're living the values that are truly important. Sure we all need to take a second to stop and evaluate our lives, but she doesn't say anything I haven't already hear to fill that space.
apochemu's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of meh. A lot of it I skimmed over cuz it was a bit boring. I did find some gold nuggets in it, but only after sifting through a lot that didn't really apply to me. Idk, maybe I'm just already really happy.
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
Meg Meeker tackles the universal mystery of what makes us happy as human beings and specifically as mothers. She uses her years of professional experience, as well as the many friendships she has developed over her years of mothering, to gain a greater understanding of how to obtain happiness.
The habits explored are:
1- Understand Your Value as a Mother
2- Maintain Key Friendships
3- Value and Practice Faith
4- Say No to Competition
5- Create a Healthier Relationship with Money ...
To read my full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
The habits explored are:
1- Understand Your Value as a Mother
2- Maintain Key Friendships
3- Value and Practice Faith
4- Say No to Competition
5- Create a Healthier Relationship with Money ...
To read my full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
alyssaht's review against another edition
2.0
She had some really good points. The habits are all ones that we mothers need. I gave this book 2 stars because I really didn't connect with her tone as an author. Boring writing.
bethgiven's review against another edition
4.0
This book was both validating and encouraging. I was pleased to discover that these ten habits Meeker cites are real and deep -- things that truly would bring more lasting happiness and not just an afternoon of escape. I also appreciated that Meeker doesn't shelve her religion while discussing these habits -- many of them center around a belief in God, which is something I've found crucial to my own happiness.
The ten habits are:
1. Understand your value as a mother
2. Maintain key friendships
3. Value and practice faith
4. Say no to competition
5. Create a healthier relationship with money
6. Make time for solitude
7. Give and get love in healthier ways
8. Find ways to live simply
9. Let go of fear
10. Make the decision to have hope
I think #1, #2, and #6 resonated with me the most. This was an easy listen -- very conversational.
The ten habits are:
1. Understand your value as a mother
2. Maintain key friendships
3. Value and practice faith
4. Say no to competition
5. Create a healthier relationship with money
6. Make time for solitude
7. Give and get love in healthier ways
8. Find ways to live simply
9. Let go of fear
10. Make the decision to have hope
I think #1, #2, and #6 resonated with me the most. This was an easy listen -- very conversational.
annemtipton's review against another edition
2.0
She had some really good points. The habits are all ones that we mothers need. I gave this book 2 stars because I really didn't connect with her tone as an author. Boring writing.
aedgeworth27's review against another edition
5.0
A very interesting and inspiring read. It had some incredible quotes and I was constantly running down to record them in my journal. I really enjoyed the experiences of real people the author wove into the chapters. I thought all the Happy Habits were really inspiring.