The Bottom Line
Regardless of Dr. Laura's personal definition of a good mother, the foundation of In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms should be applauded. The book does offer encouraging words for stay-at-home moms. However, it's even more valuable to working moms looking for a pep talk to convince them they should quit their jobs.
Pros
- Dr. Laura gives a wake-up call to moms who forget those little joys of being a SAHM
- Stories from stay-at-home moms are included throughout the book in a way other moms can relate
- Some sections offer advice on saving money and running your home more efficiently
Cons
- Written more for women considering becoming stay-at-home moms
- Some content is repetitive throughout the book
- Parts feel like a lecture that you're a bad mother if you're not a stay-at-home mom
Description
- Hardcover, 224 Pages
- HarperCollins
- Published April 7, 2009
- ISBN 0061690295
Guide Review - In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
While there are areas in the book where stay-at-home moms can benefit, the book isn't what you might think based on the title. The book touches on your valuable role as a SAHM but a lot of pages make the book feel like it should be titled, "In Praise of Dr. Laura."
She does make many good points throughout In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms. Dr. Laura also crosses the line into what comes across as badgering working moms to quit their jobs and stay home.
Parts of the book discuss the argument that stay-at-home moms are just wasting their lives, the moments we sometimes take for granted and how we should take joy in running our homes. Unfortunately, just as Dr. Laura starts to tackle these subjects, the section will end without a real resolution. You want to read more but the book has moved on to another topic.
Then there are subjects that come off preachy and may make some moms feel guilty about their personal choices as a SAHM. Dr. Laura heavily frowns on daycare, for example. Her words are so strong, you might wonder if one hour with the babysitter is damaging your child for the rest of his life.
Dr. Laura really has one book that would be better as three separate books -- one for working moms thinking about becoming stay-at-home moms, one with letters from her listeners and one for SAHMs who could use a pat on the back once in a while. Instead, it's like a primer for three different audiences without each one getting the meat of the book.
