Staying Home
 Darcie Sanders & Martha M. Bullen
 (Reviewed by The Editor - Rebecca Brown)
 2002 Spencer & Waters
  ISBN: 0967035902
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From Full-Time Professional to Full-Time Parent.

From the Preface: “This books was written to help women, especially mothers with young children and those who are expecting or hoping to be mothers someday, understand why so many women are choosing to interrupt their careers to devote themselves to raising their children.” (Page ix)

More & more women are choosing to hang up their briefcases to stay home & raise their children & “...motherhood may be the most controversial career you can have these days...”. In fact, US census figures show that the majority of women with children under five are staying home or working part-time.

How can this book help you? For starters it includes the most up-to-date inforamtion on mothers' support organizations, websites & work-at-home resources.
Secondly, it discusses the most important issues your have to consider when making your decision.
Thirdly, it talks about adjusting to the changing relationships with your spouse, your family & friends.
Fourthly, it brings up how to cope with the fear of isolation & reduced income.
Fifthly, it helps you boost your new self-image, & lastly, it shows how to work from home & points out the value of flexible work options.

Much is covered by this modest book although the one section which had me riveted was not long & started on page 108: Sex Role Stereotypes and the Division of Labor. Read it & weep! Good stuff!

The only problem I have with staying at home motherhood is the grinding isolation that will evolve. Blessings on the Internet! I used to drag my chickadees out to playlots, churches & libraries, just so I could catch up on what other adults were thinking about.

Staying Home also tells us all about Making the Transition from Professional to Professional Parent; Changing Relationships: Starting Over with Your Husband, Family, Friends--and Yourself; Looking Ahead: Taking the Next Step in Your Family Life Cycle, & your Options: Community Work, Home-Based Business, and Reentering the Outside Work Force.

Darcie Sanders & Martha M.Bullen are also the authors of Turn Your Talents into Profits. Recognized authorities on at-home motherhood & work-family issues, they write & lecture widely & have appeared on The Today Show, The Early Show, CNN & NPR, & have been featured in Time magazine, USA Weekend, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Ms, Working Woman, Parenting, Woman's Day among others.
(05/25/03)

Rebecca