working mothers Archives - Awful Library Books

Unworkable Lives

February 14, 2022 Mary Kelly Parent/Teacher Collection, Working 9-5 8 comments

Working Women, Workable Lives
Linamen and Holland
1993

This is another of those books that attempts to help women solve their problems with juggling home and family obligations against those of one’s career. I should make these books their own special category. Check out a couple of examples here, here, here, and here.) They all have suggestions like:

Stay more organized
Take time for yourself
Hire a babysitter
Talk to your husband
Meditate

I feel like I read most of the ones published between 1989-1995 when I was trying to to get a handle on my life. None of these books have any real solutions. Even the privileged mother with lots of cash, supportive family, and a staff would find these suggestions ridiculous. The reality is that none of these books go after the real problems or working women. You know, those pesky problems like wage inequality, lack of childcare, sexism, racism, worker exploitation, poor management, etc. You know, the problems that plague 99% of working families.

A step in the right direction?

August 10, 2020 Mary Kelly Ladies only!, Working 9-5 4 comments

The Complete Guide for the Working Mother
Albrecht
1967

This book is handy for all those women with money, household help, resources, etc. Even for 1967, this book is out of touch. Even though it probably only applies to less than 1% of working mothers, it does assert that household chores are not the sole responsibility of the mother and that parenting is a family responsibility. I think the author is trying hard to talk about some equality and parenting issues, but not quite ready to take it up a notch. Given the 1967 publication date, that is hardly surprising.

Having it all

April 17, 2019 Mary Kelly Ladies only!, Working 9-5 10 comments

Having It All A Practical Guide to Managing a Home and a Career Gabriel and Baldwin 1980 I would have jumped on any book like this back in the day. Of course my older wiser self recognizes that no one

Mom’s Fun Job

November 27, 2018 Mary Kelly For the Kids, Parent/Teacher Collection 9 comments

Why Can’t You Stay Home With Me?
A Book About Working Mothers
Hazen
1986

I know what the authors and publishers were trying to accomplish with books about working moms. Reading it now, it just comes off as tone deaf. Mr and Mrs Privileged have a nice house and both parents have jobs. Throughout the book it is implied that Mrs Privileged works to give the family nice things. It is never about Mrs Privileged providing for her family. Dad’s family obligations aren’t even discussed. But look, he is helping out at breakfast time, so he must be a good guy. Unfortunately, the result of this book is that Dad is still the provider and doesn’t have to do too many childcare or household chores. Mom is still in charge of the household and this job is really just a side hustle for her “real” work. But its okay, kid. You get to eat out more and go on vacation. Weed it and don’t look back.

Mother Guilt

November 19, 2018 Mary Kelly Making a Living, Parent/Teacher Collection 6 comments

Crisis of the Working Mother
Resolving the Conflict Between Family and Work
Berg
1986

Well this little book was geared to my generation as we hit the job market in the 80s. For most working mothers, you got the choice of being a bad mother or a bad (read unreliable) woman. (Sadly, not much has changed for most women, especially in terms of compensation and benefits.) It took me until my kids were in middle school that I quit caring about my standing as a good mother. A school staffer mentioned to me that my kid was in trouble because I was a selfish working mother. I reminded said staffer that my kid is a 12 year old boy whose life mission is to drive others to drink on his way to becoming an evil genius. I wish I’d had the guts to ask her if she called my husband to complain about my kid.

Bad Mommy

July 31, 2017 Mary Kelly Department of God, Parent/Teacher Collection 20 comments

Mommy, Where are You?
What could be more important than investing in the lives of your children
Mills
1992

Working moms, this book is for you. Did you know you are doing your children a disservice by being selfish and working outside the home? They will probably become criminals all because you put your selfish need to work above your kids. Lucky for you, this author is here to straighten you out.

I just want to laugh/snap at the author for thinking that all women have a choice in working. The author suggests that women with income challenges should take in sewing or sell baked goods. Of course this begs the question, if they are working at home, are they still giving their children the most of their time? Equally infuriating is implying that fathers just can’t do parenting as well as a mother.

Having it All

June 9, 2015 Mary Kelly Ladies only!, Making a Living 6 comments

Making It Work Finding the Time and Energy for Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self Houston 1990 This is one of those books that profess to fix your life and tell you how to have everything, also known as that

How to Have a Child and Keep Your Job cover

Working Parents

March 18, 2015 Holly Making a Living, Parent/Teacher Collection 7 comments

Submitter: I found the following advise book in my local public library, giving out parenting and career advise from 1979. Probably a great choice for 1979 since many women were going back, or staying in the workforce. 2015? I don’t think so.

Holly: The statistics cited in the introduction date this book right from the start. I like the page on role-sharing and household responsibilities [p.62, below], and I’m sure there some other nuggets of good information here. The rest, like the list of examples of quality television for children, are just outdated. Not a bad book, just not current enough to warrant keeping. Weed and update!