Reviews (54)

Can't stop reading this!
I read this through when I was pregnant with my 4 months old twins.And I thought it was cute and interesting.But once they got here I have become desperate for any advice on how to handle twins.I have re-read this book dozens of times!! Trying to figure out sleeping habits, what to do for schedules, and reassureance from other twin moms that at the 3 month old mark it will get better.The things that I giggled at the most have held the most truth for me.Like, 'you should never microwave formula'.....'But you will, we all do and its o.k.' If you are haveing twins you need a sense of humor and THIS BOOK!

Helpful hints
This book was not only very funny but also very helpful.It kept my attention the whole time I was reading it.I couldn't put it down. I did not know what to expect with twins.I already had a little girl (who is now 7) and even then when she was a baby I did not know how to handle her.Elizabeth (the author of this book) gives great tips and hints on how to deal with and cope with having 2 babies at one time!I would recommend this book to anyone who is expecting twins or more.I would even recommend this book for someone who is only expecting one child.The tips and hints she gives do aim more at a mother of twins (being a mother of twins herself), however, the tips she gives would work just as well with a single child.Please take the time to read the excerpt of this book.It will not only make you laugh, but it will make you want to read more.If you are an expecting mother (of any amount of babies) I would strongly recommend reading this book! I myself have already read it more then once!

Could have been better...
Home on bedrest and expecting twins in the fall, I have been doing a lot of reading this summer.I have a 3 year old and purchased this book to help me prepare for our new additions.As others have written, it's just not as good as it could be.There are certainly funny parts and useful suggestions.However, much of the book reads as a diary of the author's experiences rather than a summary of approaches and objective recommendations. Certainly, not as witty and well-written as the "Girlfriend's Guide" series.That said, it is a fast read with some useful information on twins that your generic "what to expect" pregnancy books won't have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Parenting - General    5. Parenting - Motherhood    6. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    7. Topic - Family    8. Humor   

Reviews (31)

Exceptional book- very healing
As a grown woman who has been puzzled and confused by my relationship with my mother for 30+ years this book was an enormous relief. Clearly written, not assigning blame, not overly complex.It was incredibly validating to a person found their entire childhood, teenage years and young adult life in plain simple words.A tremendous relief just to know that I am not alone in experiencing the criticism, sharp words, irritability, and outright competition and that it was undeserved. The information alone has provided an enormous perspective on my own behaviors and attitudes and why they developed as coping mechanisms or byproducts of that unhealthy relationship. Just the knowledge that those attitudes and beliefs are a normal response to what I experienced inspires me to make changes that will lead to the kind of life I want.
A Must Read
I am quite sure this book has saved me thousands of dollars in therapy. The book does an excellent job of describing what narcissistic behavior (the bad kind) really is and how it impacts those who are raised by narcissists. It offers some very empowering information. Most importantly... clearly stating that narcissists will never change and acknowledge the hurtful things they do to their children because they are not capable of seeing their children as individual beings AND that it is okay to protect yourself against the hurt.

Excellent
During my own course of therapy, I discovered that my mother was most likely a narcisstistic parent. I picked up this book and my mom fit the descriptions to a 'T.' The information is presented extrememly well, very organized - much better than other books on the topic. And it validated some of the issues I'm dealing with personally in therapy. The tone is gentle and reassuring, but not coddling. I felt like finally, somebody understood what I had been dealing with all my life.There are exercises to help you deal with overcoming issues - I've done a couple and shown them to my therapist.If you have a parent like this, wow, it's very difficult to handle the repercussions. But this book really will help. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult children    2. Dysfunctional Families    3. Family    4. General    5. Narcissism    6. Parent and adult child    7. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Popular psychology   

Reviews (5)

Changed my Life
I have NEVER been a person who believed that a self-help book could change your life. But this one changed mine! I read this book years ago (I am buying it now for a friend). I was in my 30's and I was still intimidated by my mother's manipulation. This book made me slap my forehead and say to myself "why on earth have I put up with this for so long???!!If ever a book liberated me, this book did. It showed me that it takes two to tango. If I didn't like the way my mother acted, there wasn't much I could do to change her behavior. However, I COULD change the way I responded - I could refuse to "dance the dance." For any adult who feels intimated or bullied by a parent, this is the book to read. Highly recommended!

Parents of adults are themselves adults, and should act it.
Parents of adults are themselves adults - so making excuses for their obnoxious or hurtful behavior does not to me create an incentive for them to change it. Simplified solutions
The book was very complete since it included mostly every parental abusive situation from moralistic parents to unavailable to self-centered and controlling. However, the solutions given for children to address the damage done to them is over-simplified and puts the responsibility of understanding back on to the child. Every chapter has an explanation of the type of behavor and goes on to indicate how it is the child in the parent who is really reponding to his/her child or adult child.To solve the hurt and enmeshment with the parent, the adult-child must now see the child in the parent when the dysfunctional behavior takes place and everything will be okay. Also, Halpern chooses a parent for each behavior. For example, the unavailable "father" and the controlling "father." Perhpas the domineering, controlling person is the "mother." This adjudication makes it harder to see since I must substitute one for the other throughout full chapters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adulthood    2. General    3. Interpersonal relations    4. Parent and child    5. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    6. Psychology    7. Psychology Of Adulthood    8. Family & Relationships / Parent & Adult Child    9. Popular psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    11. Psychology-General    12. Recreation   

Reviews (10)

An Important Book for Caregives
There are many books on how to care and plan for an elderly person, but this is one of the few designed to deal with the often delicate issue of communicating about those plans.This is an excellent book for anyone caring for seniors, either as a family member or in a professional capacity. I am a legal aid hotline attorney and own an online medical supply business. In both capacities I work with many seniors and those who care for them.This book fills in an important gap in the caregiving relationship.I strongly recommend it.

How to Say it to Seniors
Very helpful and accessable information.Wish I'd learned about this years ago.

Humane, wise, practical...SUPERB
It's shocking that this book is being marketed merely to professionals who must deal with the vagaries of the senior personality. It's simply the best book on the subject I've read.The author has a huge heart for seniors and those who work with them--professionals, certainly, but also neighbors, friends, children, grandchildren.
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Subjects:  1. Adult children of aging parent    2. Adult children of aging parents    3. Aging - General    4. Attitudes    5. Communication    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family Relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. Intergenerational communicatio    10. Intergenerational communication    11. Interpersonal Relations    12. Older people    13. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    14. Psychology    15. United States    16. Self-Help / Aging   

Subjects:  1. Adult children of aging parents    2. Aging - General    3. Aging parents    4. Care    5. Eldercare    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Long-Term Care Of The Aged    10. Parenting - General    11. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    12. Family & Relationships / Grandparenting   

Editorial Review

All parents fall short from time to time. But Susan Forward pulls no punches when it comes to those whose deficiencies cripple their children emotionally. Her brisk, unreserved guide to overcoming the stultifying agony of parental manipulation--from power trips to guilt trips and all other killers of self worth--will help deal with the pain of childhood and move beyond the frustrating relationship patterns learned at home. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

Overly Simplistic but Good Tips
As someone who has a toxic mother, you know how everyday feels like an eternity when you feel so much pain inside.Half of the book is about other people's experiences with her in therapy and the other half is about how we can change our situation ourselves.I gave her 1 star because of this very important point that she misses:If you have a truly toxic parent, confrontation is not the answer (as she says).I agree with the other reviewer who gave one star because it doesn't seem like she has truly been in this kind of a situation.The REALITY of LIVING WITH TOXIC PARENTS is that THEY DO NOT CHANGE.I am a grounded and fair minded person, but I think her advice is baloney.And she spent chapters on bits of advice that you could outline on one page.I felt so bad after reading it.Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with all of you.

I Only Wish I Had Read this YEARS Ago!
It would have saved me years of guilt about hating my mother ("Mommie Dearest" without all the glamour) and wishing things could be different.
Toxic Parents
This book was extremely helpful to understand and recover from family stress.It explains vividly and in easily understood terms that any reader can understand.It is compassionate and practical and helps give readers direction for moving forward.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dysfunctional Families    2. General    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Self-Help & Practical Interests    8. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (10)

Very Practical and Supportive
This book was very helpful to me as an adult child of a borderline parent.It gave me validation, the secure sense that I was not going crazy through all this time of the tough experiences in this relationship with my mother.Reading the book was like I had told someone what I went through and they were talking to me about it.The exercises are very practical if you have the time to follow them.The only suggestion I would have for the authors would be a set of recommendations for how to connect with other family members who are not "target" of the BPD behavior.Another aspect that would be helpful is to how to help a sibling that is going through this challenge, overcome the difficulties a BPD parent can cause to them and how they see life.Despite these two things not being part of the book, it is still a great work, a quick read, and understanding of where the adult child of a borderline parent is coming from.Also helpful for spouses of the adult children, to better understand them.

Help for Dealing with a Difficult Parent
Not sure what was wrong with my relationship with my mother, but suspecting BPD, I read this book in 2 days. It is the only book I've read that offers practical advice for dealing with difficult people, especially the overbearing, moody, and negative parent. This book was my saving grace and I have given it to friends who also have difficult family members. I can't say enough about the positive change this book has brought, helping me create boundaries and be able to communicate effectively and respectfully. It has also helped me, as a borderline mother myself, not make the same mistakes my mother did.

This book is so healing!
I am a 39 year old woman who has been living with confusion about my childhood all of my life. This book is exactly what I've needed, I wish I read it 20 years ago.Reading the stories of other survivors has been so healing.My feelings are normal, as far as having grown up with a mother with BPD!I can't say enough about how much this book means to me!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Mental Illness    3. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Popular psychology   

Reviews (70)

Very helpful
Ignore the fussy Library Journal review up there and get this book if you have any suspicion that you were raised by a narcissist. I'm just starting the process of coming to terms with my childhood and this book has been a tremendous help. Dr. Golomb collects a diverse range of case studies, insightfully explains the psychological processes at work in each one, and then finally brings the lessons of all the cases together to offer practical advice on recovery. If you've been dogged by the cruelty and rejection of a narcissistic parent all your life, this book is a great way to begin the process of moving out from under that shadow.

Great Book
This is a "GREAT BOOK" if your ready to learn how your life has been effected by your childhood.Very moving and can be pain full in some parts.A must read if your ready to understand the why and the what.
A good book not just about narcissists, but about manipulative people!
This book was great.It flowed well, with a lot of real life stories.The explanation and solutions were well tied into those stories.
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Subjects:  1. Adjustment (Psychology)    2. General    3. Mental Illness    4. Narcissism    5. Parent and child    6. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Child & developmental psychology    10. Family & Relationships / Parent & Adult Child   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (15)

LETTING GO: A PARENTS GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE COLLEGE YEARS, FOURTH EDITION
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK. IT HAS BEEN OVER THIRTY YEARS SINCE I WAS A COLLEGE FRESHMAN AND THIS BOOK WAS INSIGHTFUL AND HELPFUL AS MY SON LEAVES FOR COLLEGE.I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR PARENTS WHOSE FIRST CHILD IS LEAVING FOR COLLEGE OR THEIR LAST CHILD.EVERY PARENT OF A COLLEGE STUDENT SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.

big help
I was having a hard time dealing with my younger sisters going away to college but this book helped me to cope and put things into perspective.

Letting Go and What's Next
As a Career Coach and parent of two college students, I have used this book as a personal and professional resource.Too often parents can get swept up in the busy high school years of their teen's junior and senior years.Along with parenting other children, working their own jobs, managing the home, etc.the stress of supporting their son or daughter for college or post high school education can be overwheliming, espcially for the student who is reluctant to commit to the research or is apathetic about the process of preparing for college selection.LETTING GO is a helpful resource for hanging in there, getting grounded in your role as parent, and helping you prepare for the changing family dynamics.Sending a student to college brings up the big question, what's next, not only for the student but the parent.This book can support both of you as you wrestle with the issues of independence, decision making, and planning a successful future. Barbara Wulf, (...) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. College students    2. Education    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Higher    7. Parent and child    8. Parenting    9. Parenting - General    10. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    11. Psychology    12. United States    13. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (9)

This is a must have
This book covers every topic you can imagine. Want to know what to do when your parent is driving, but should not be driving any more? This topic is covered, plus many many more.
Valerie
An excellent resource.Each of the siblings now has a copy and TOGETHER we're dealing with the challenges aging brings.

Excellent guide to tough questions
Virginia Morris' book "How to Care For Aging Parents" is the essential reference book for anyone who is or will be caring for the elderly. It is clearly written, carefully researched and thoroughly indexed to provide quick access to all questions. As a psychotherapist I keep this book close at hand to help unsnarl any issues with or about the aging population. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Aging parents    3. Care    4. Eldercare    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. Handbooks, manuals, etc    10. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    11. FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Aging    12. Family & Health    13. Family & Relationships / Eldercare   

Reviews (9)

Great book!
I'm using this book as part of homeschooling my preschoolers. It is great to get ideas from, and the children love learning and practicing new manners. This book not only serves for the good of my children, but also in reminding me of certain things as well. Family life has been much more pleasant since implementing the ideas in this book. My only complaint is that it should have been organized by topic and had tabs for quick reference. Otherwise, it's a good book if you take the time to look for what you want.

Great Information, Poor Layout
This book is FULL of great ideas and information.It is however, listed in calendar format which cannot really be used practically.February 16 is about swimiming pools and unless they are indoors, not many are swimming at this time of year.And there aren't exactly 365 differnent manners because some of them are repeated and build on each other.
Very good-every parent should read
We need more people to follow the guidleines in this book.Easy to read and very practical ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Etiquette    3. Etiquette for children and tee    4. Etiquette for children and teenagers    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family/Marriage    8. Parenting - General    9. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    10. Advice on parenting    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting    12. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Editorial Review

Mary Pipher, author of the bestselling and groundbreaking Read more

Reviews (32)

Well worth reading
The author of the bestseller Reviving Ophelia this times takes us on a journey through the lives of our elders. Following the lead of Bernice Neugarten at the University of Chicago, she distinguishes between the "young-old" and the "old-old". This book focuses mainly on the later, telling the stories of people who are coping with loss and illness.
Another Country:Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders
This book is written in a readable style that holds your interest.I bought it to help understand my elderly father who is suffering from dementia, but I found it told me a lot about myself and what I will want and need in the next 20 years.Mary Pipher's insightful and easy to understand.

Another country: the tourist perspective
Not being "old-old" myself, with both parents dead, I picked up this book out of curiosity.Piper does not mince words. She says at the outset, "Old age is not for sissies," and she goes on to describe life as an old person in a country designed for the young.It's an apt metaphor: the old learn a new language and a new terrain.Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Aging parents    3. Care    4. Eldercare    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family relationships    7. General    8. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    9. Psychology    10. United States    11. Elderly    12. Marriage, family & other relationships    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (23)

Would Give Even More Stars If I Could
The information in this book is invaluable for anyone who has a difficult older parent.It takes you through a number of scenarios and then shows you how to better deal with those situations.Just reading this book and incorporating some of the suggestions has taken a huge weight off of my shoulders.
Book is a recap of material already out there
The book really didn't offer much that I hadn't read many times over on relating to difficult people.
This book was a lifesaver
Five years ago, I was struggling with the gut-wrenching dilemma of how to care for my widowed mother, who lived 5 hours from me and vacillated between smothering love and unmitigated rage. Her physical, financial and emotional deterioration and over dependence on me to be her savior were crippling.
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Subjects:  1. Adult children of aging parent    2. Adult children of aging parents    3. Aging    4. Aging parents    5. Care    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Family relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. General    10. Parenting - General    11. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    12. Psychology    13. Self-Help    14. United States    15. Self-Help / Aging   

Reviews (8)

Bravo!!Dr. Levine- Keep writing!!!
This book is a excellent resource tool for educators of all ages, no matter what professional role in the school.
Ready or not, here life comes
Another good book to read by Mel Levine. His books are very informative and you do learn alot from him.

Enough already!
Mel Levine's basic proposition is that our culture is dysfunctional in its ability to transition young adults, whom he calls "startup adults", from high school and college to productive working lives and careers.Levine passes blame all around - youth culture's fascination with being "cool" and instant gratification, the public school system and higher ed. system's failure to prepare students for reality, etc.Levine presents a simple four-part framework for understanding and dealing with the problems he identifies.
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Subjects:  1. Career And Vocational Guidance    2. Child Development    3. Developmental Psychology    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family/Marriage    7. Life Stages - Adolescence    8. Life Stages - Teenagers    9. Life skills guides    10. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    11. Psychology    12. Vocational guidance    13. Young adults    14. Family & Relationships / Adolescence   

Editorial Review

"The simple truth about elders is this: they want their lives to be validated, and they do not want to die alone," writes eldercare consultant Joy Loverde in her preface to the second edition of Read more

Reviews (52)

Concrete Plan of Action
"Am I doing the right thing?" Every adult child of a family member requiring eldercare asks this question. The Complete Eldercare Planner will help today's busy caregivers with medical, financial, and personal issues by condensing hours of research into a concrete plan of action. In one volume, readers will learn about emergency preparedness; how to tell when your elder needs help; talking about sensitive subjects; sharing the care; long-distance assistance; money and legal matters; health and wellness; insurance; housing; safety; transportation; maintaining quality of life; aging with a disability; death and dying; and more.
Overwhelming Help in a crisis time of need
7-22-05-- Recently I found myself along with 3 other siblings and spouses thrust into new uncharted waters in a totally new season of our lives. Suddenly and without any training we were and continue to this day having to take care of my aging parents. I for one will freely admit that as a child I was never trained, prepared, nor exceptionally gifted to undertake such a task. It is just not the type of thing that you can ever really get to a line and say ready...set...go...and do it very well. Elderly health care in 2005 does not always afford us the luxury of any long preparation either emotionally or financially.
I needed two books to care for my mother in law
My mother in law needs so much care and we had no clue on what to do. We bought this book and we bought the 36-Hour day. We are completely sure now that we are making the right choices because of the tips in both of these books. I recommmend this book highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Aging parents    3. Care    4. Caregivers    5. Eldercare    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. General    8. Home care    9. Life skills guides    10. Older people    11. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    12. Planning    13. Self-Help    14. Sociology    15. United States    16. Family & Relationships / Health   

Reviews (3)

An extraordinary story
James McBride creates a not-very-flattering portrait of race in America in this outstanding story of his white Jewish mother and black father and stepfather.Ruth McBride was born an Orthodox Jew who came to America at the age of two. The product of a traditional, arranged, loveless marriage, her family lived in the South, and from a young age she found warmth and love only in the black community. As a teenager she left home for New York, married a black man, raised 8 children, founded a church in Brooklyn, and married again as a widow and raised another 4.
A profound reading experience
For nearly 10 years now, I have given this book to others as a gift, especially those who are interested in profound, moving literature.This book FLOWS and speaks to all of us: black, white, Jewish, gentile, young, old.I recommend this book to those I work with, to my son's high school English teachers, to anyone who is searching for a satisfying, uplifting experience.I say experience rather than 'book.'To me, reading this book is an experience.I pull it out and re-read it every year.It encourages me to face hardships, to count my blessings and to recognize that all of us are put on earth for a reason.Thank you, James McBride, for a book that has become a cornerstone in my life.

A LOVING TRIBUTE TO MOM...
This book is, indeed, a tribute to the author's mother. In it, the author, a man whose mother was white and his father black, tells two stories: that of his mother and his own. Tautly written in spare, clear prose, it is a wonderful story of a bi-racial family who succeeded and achieved the American dream, despite the societal obstacles placed in its way.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Mothers    8. Mothers and sons    9. New York    10. New York (State)    11. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    12. People of Color    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Race And Ethnic Relations    15. Racially mixed people    16. Family & Relationships / Parent & Adult Child   

Reviews (10)

This Book Will Change Your Life!
For so long I've mostly heard about how important a father is in a child's development.I've never heard anyone else speak about how profound the mother's role is in the child's devlopment like this book does.I feel like I've gone to the eye doctor and have been given new glasses to see more clearly with.I think this book is core reading for anybody who wants to understand why they are the way they are.Like the back cover of the book says, "She shaped you in ways that would surprise you both."

Life Changing
This book has been so very helpful in figuring out both my past and present relationship with my mother.In addition, it has helped in dealing with her and other mothers in my life.It also helps me to be the best mother I can be to my young children.It is a must read for anyone that struggles with the "mothers" in their life.

Non-Christians BEWARE
This book is SO full of Christian reference and biblical mumbo-jumbo that it is worthless to anyone who is not Christian. The preview pages available to view are EXTREMELY misleading as to the content of the majority of the book. If you are not a Christian, save your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Mother and child    8. Parent and adult child    9. Parenting - Motherhood    10. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    11. Religious aspects    12. Christian Interest    13. Parenthood    14. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (8)

Reminder of what's important
The questions in this book allow the reader to muse on their own relationships with their parents and others close to them, and hopefully to realise how important it is to make time to communicate within families.Buy it to read, think and keep it visible on your bookshelf as a reminder of what is important and that there is always time to talk to those close to you, however busy you think you are.

A dark ride
At first glance I thought this was just another "quick-fix" book offering [bad] platitudes about the quest to reveal the mythical father-figure. Questions for My father: finding the man behind your dad
A wonderful book to learn more about your father and yourself.Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family Relationships    4. Fath