Pressure to be the “perfect mom” comes from all sides: books, magazines, doctors, family, strangers, sitcoms, and instructional DVDs. But the biggest pressure comes from within: “mom guilt” is a load that most of us voluntarily pile onto our own backs. Meant to help remind women that motherhood isn't about perfection, the TLC-aired Surviving Motherhood is a 13-episode reality-TV series in which groups of women meet in various coffeehouses to discuss problems and offer advice on handling babies and toddlers. Each program focuses on one woman's main concern (isolation, depression, colic, weaning, “terrible twos,” family dynamics, etc.), combining comments from the other women together with expert analysis from psychologists, pediatricians, and more. Although the episodes are short and not terribly deep, just hearing someone else say that “this is normal” or “you're not alone” could either calm a struggling mother or help motivate her to seek more in-depth assistance if needed. DVD extras include two bonus episodes of TLC's A Baby Story. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)
Surviving Motherhood: Your Guide to Being a Mom
(2008) 2 discs. 262 min. DVD: $24.95. Genius Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-5944-5041-2. Volume 23, Issue 5
Surviving Motherhood: Your Guide to Being a Mom
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