MOTHER'S MEDICINE

by Nancy Moore Thurmond ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 12, 1978

. . . is a spoonful of treacle and a strong dose of clichÉs. Considering the number of good motherhood guides available, a new one must have distinctive qualities to recommend it. This offers nothing new or special--just Nancy Thurmond's own prescriptions for making motherhood a rewarding time (""Come on, Mom, why not the best?""), prescriptions which don't differ significantly from what a friendly, experienced neighbor might suggest. ""When you leave the hospital, the first thing you need to know, besides how to pray, is how to pick up your baby""--and so she gives instructions. Many more appropriate subjects are covered--food, health, sudden and ongoing problems; although some of her ways are unobjectionable, those which slip over into ""issue"" areas will seem narrow to many women. Of sharing family history with your child (no age specified): ""Tell him the sad, the gay, and the funny. Tell him all, but give each tale you spin a happy ending."" Want to wipe out naughty words? ""Explain to the child that nice children and adults do not talk to each other like that,"" and if that doesn't work, ""try the old soap-and-water routine on the child's mouth."" She doesn't even bother to discuss sex education (""there is nothing left to be said, written, or imagined on the subject that has not already appeared copyrighted in print""), and offers minimal information on sibling rivalry, handicapped children, and sleep patterns. There's much better medicine already on the shelf.

Pub Date: Jan. 12, 1978

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1978

Categories: NONFICTION