Tales from the Homefront
(Book Review, by Mia Cronan)
Edited by Martha M. Bullen, Kim Loretucci, Eileen Millard, and Jane O'Connell
ISBN 0-9670359-1-0  ($12.95)
Published by Spencer & Waters, 206 pages

Mothers & More, founded in 1987 and formerly known as FEMALE (Formerly Employed Mothers at the Leading Edge) offers a beautifully written book, loaded with stories that at-home moms need to hear! 

Mothers & More has compiled 110 of their intelligently written newsletter articles, dating back to 1988 into 50 chapters of glorious reading on the joys and frustrations of motherhood.  Each article, or chapter, demonstrates a mother's warmth and love for her children while not dismissing the changes, sacrifices, and adjustments that mothers make in their lives to give the very best to their growing kids.  In a society that focuses heavily on children's needs, this book offers something for Mom.

The term "sequencing" is relatively new when used in reference to motherhood.  Mothers & More uses this term frequently to describe the transitions that women go through to "have it all but not all at once."  Many women have learned the hard way that you can have the power career, the healthy marriage, the stable family, and the clean, comfortable home, but maybe not concurrently or without something suffering in the process.  Mothers & More guides women through sequencing and offers support and affirmation throughout these changing times.

As I read each chapter, I found very little to which I could not relate in some way.  Each article was written by one of the 8,000 mothers from one of the group's 180 national chapters.  Yet I felt as though I was reading letters from a like-minded stay-at-home, previously gainfully employed friend.

The book fires on all the at-home pistons.  There are articles on leaving careers, adjusting into new roles and relationships, dealing with the stress of bad days, the sweetness of child-raising, financial concerns, networking with other SAHMs, working at home, moving back into a career, and finding advocacy.  My favorite thing about this book?  The chapters are short and diverse, so I could read one while I waited for something to boil, or for someone to go potty, or for someone to find Barbie's other shoe.  Then I could put the book down for a bit and not feel like I lost my place!

My hat is off to these moms who left visible, responsible positions so they could be visible and responsible to their kids.  I highly recommend this book if you've ever struggled with leaving your career to be at home with your children or if you just want some comfortable reading.

If you do not have a local chapter, you might consider starting one.  Mothers & More provides a full packet of information on doing so and guides new chapters as they grow.