What No One Tells the Mom: Surviving the Early Years of Parenthood with Your Sanity, Your Sex Life and Yoursense of Humor Intact

by Marg Stark

For women who are convinced that "postpartum" is Latin for "the good times are over," What No One Tells the Momis a lifeline to hope and happiness. Marg Stark-using her own hard-earned wisdom along with advice from real parents and a range of experts-offers coping strategies for the first five, most turbulent years of motherhood. New moms will learn how to: - Resist the Supermom myth - Bring the zing! back to the bedroom - Surprising ideas for taming...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399530819
• ISBN13: 9780399530814
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Perigee Books
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Should be a mandatory baby shower gift!

Marg Stark is my hero. I loved her first book, "What No One Tells the Bride," and credit it with saving me from running screaming back to single life. I also buy a copy whenever it's time to attend a bridal shower. Now I'm a new mom and couldn't wait to carve out precious time to read this gem of a book. There is no doubt that having children turns your life upside down. It can be especially challenging for those of us who waited until we were in our thirties to embark on the journey. No longer can we jet off on vacation the way we used to, make a "quick trip" to the store, or enjoy romantic weekends on a whim. There are trade-offs and changes in identity, relationships and purpose. But the bottom line is that most women go through the same struggles. We will probably live the rest of our lives with parental guilt. But the trade-offs are all worth it and life has new meaning. That doesn't mean it's going to be easy. But it's okay to grieve your former life while you learn to embrace your new existence. If there is one thing I have learned as a new parent, the key is to SURRENDER. I spent too much time worrying about what wasn't getting done and I suddenly realized that I was missing out on an amazing time in life. Once I gave in to the mounting stacks of laundry, the work that didn't get done on time, and stocked up on microwavable dinner options, life with baby began to get easier. If you're a parent or becoming a parent, I urge you to read this wonderful book. It could save you months or even years of heartache. It's packed with wisdom and real-world anecdotes. This should be a best-seller!

I'll read parts over and over

As a first-time mom with a 13 month old, I've read lots of books about child rearing. But this one is my absolute favorite. After I finished reading it, I went back and started reading parts again. When I get frustrated, or unsure of myself, I will read some again, and it validates my feelings and makes me feel better! Sure, there are parts that don't really apply to me, or that I don't necessarily agree with, but 95% of this book worked for me. I found this to be the most HONEST of books of its type...brutally honest in parts. I highly recommend this book to any mother who occasionally feels frustrated, unsure, wacko, emotional, scatterbrains, or has ever said "what the heck am I doing?" I think my child, my husband, and I are all happier as a result of this book.

This book saved my kids!!!!

This book absolutely kept me from listing my kids on Ebay!!! Marg Stark has done a wonderful job of telling the absolute truth on motherhood...it's not pretty, but this book is reality. For me, it was like talking to a girlfriend...which actually mine were never this frank. This is my new "second baby gift". Make sure to add this one to your parenting book library or better yet, keep it beside your bed for all those days when you think you're all alone...you're not!

A must read for all moms!

This is the second book I have read from Marg Stark, having gotten through planning my wedding with more grace by reading, "What No One Tells the Bride..." I am now pregnant and I was hoping for a book with similar truthfulness about motherhood. Well, of course, Marg has done it again. The fears that I have about becoming a mom are addressed in this book because they are things that just about everyone worries about (who knew!) and I know that I don't have to go through all of this without the support of moms who have "been there, felt that." And on stressful days when my mompool isn't available, I will be picking up Marg's book again to remind myself that I'm not alone. This is a great book and I would recommend it to any new or old mom who is in search of a little understanding and support!!

Love this book and starting a Mom's Night Out Program!

Marg, Thank you for such an insightful book on motherhood. You discuss issues that "girlfriends" like to keep secret from each other and you put it out there for discussion. This book is so refreshing to find out that you are not totally going insane when the baby arrives. You will find humor to tackle the life after baby and how to handle them with ease. Marg gives us insight, humor and inspiration to use now and in the future to develop a loving, caring and fun family life. It was refreshing to read this book and now it came from someone who has lived it and not just sitting behind the desk! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I loved the book so much, we are starting a "moms pool" here in Illinois in September, 2005. Women need each to talk openly about what it takes not to be a supermom! Live each day and enjoy...who cares if it's not perfect! It's not suppose to be!! Michele Batz, Winthrop Harbor, Illinois.