The Playgroup: Three Women Contend with the Myths of Motherhood

by Nina Barrett

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067174710X
• ISBN13: 9780671747107
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

My favorite "Mommy" book

This book spoke to me. It was a book that I read with a pencil so I could underline quotes as I went. I didn't think anyone else could know exactly what I was feeling. I have strived my whole life for success and recognition, but when you're a SAHM, there's no one to pat you on the back and say, "That was a very good nursing session. I think you're in line for a promotion." It is culture shock to suddenly define success as, "I got the floor mopped during nap time." How refreshing it was to have these feelings (that no mommy would ever want to admit to having) validated. Marriage and parenthood aren't the total bliss of girlhood fantasies -- it's different than you pictured it. If you've ever had those tinges of "Do I really exist as a human anymore, or am I just an extention of my offspring," then you need to read this book.

Wonderful!

I found the voices from my own playgoup in this book! It is about the discovery and growth that comes from close friendships at crucial moments in a woman's life. It is about dependence on, and independence from, knowing the way other women handle being a mother. It is the Good Stuff, the conversations that you never want to end. This book is not about the obvious joy that comes from being a mom, but is about the unwarned reality of how motherhood changes your perspective about everything, including Who You Are. Nina writes in a way that makes you feel the individual voices of each woman, as well as see the way each woman is viewed by her friends. I could not put it down and once finished, gave it immediately to MY best playgroup friend.

entertaining but whiny

While I enjoyed the author's honest look at motherhood and friendship, I could not help but feel sad for these three women. It is rather unfortunate that they did not seem able to access the joy that mothering a young child can bring. I do not disagree that parenting can completely turn a woman's identiy upside down, and I was glad to see that experience reflected in this piece. However, I found this book to too pessimistic and the women rather whiny.