Dr. Sheryl G. Ziegler

I could relate to so much of this book. I was deep in the throes of mommy burnout when my daughter was much younger. While my mental health has gotten much better, I can feel burnout lurking in the background, ready to sink its teeth in if I let my guard down. Reading Dr. Ziegler's take on this issue and realizing that it's such a common problem gave me a sense of relief -- and, oddly, a feeling of belonging.

Thanks to reading this book, I reached out to a few girlfriends and reignited friendships I'd let lapse because I thought I was "too busy" to keep up with them. Now I understand that those kinds of relationships are critical to my ability to parent well. It also really helps to be reminded that when I suffer, my child suffers, too. She learns so much about life by watching me, including how to cope with stress.

I wish the book had more specific suggestions for dealing with mommy burnout when it happens. Still, I also acknowledge that every mom, and every family, is different.

Ultimately, Dr. Ziegler points out that investing in self-care, having a handful of good mom friends, cultivating a sense of purpose, and being present for your child are the keys to unlocking good mental health - and a good parenting experience. And that was precisely the message I needed.… (mehr)