Good enough mother book suggestions

[MumNo2]

Hi all, I'm looking for some good book suggestions about motherhood/parenthood. My kids are 2 and 4months old.

I really like the idea of the good enough mother, so anything along that theme would be good.

I've already read Matrescence, Parenting Hell, How to Build a Human and Motherkind, and really enjoyed these

I've read Playing and Reality, which is where Winnicott coined the phrase but not any of those you've mentioned. Idk if I'd recommend it - quite dry!

The only parenting book for the baby stage I have ever found of any value is Naomi Stadlen’s What Mothers Do (Especially When It Looks Like Nothing).

"Motherhood. Facing and finding yourself", by Lisa Marchiano.

(And of course you could also go to the original source of the concept of the good enough mother and read Winnicott himself: I read "The child, the family and the outside world" but there are lots of other interesting ones by him).

I found Life After Birth by Kate Figes helpful and interesting.

What @PondGhost said

Well, I just ordered it, thank you! 😁

The book you wish your parents had read - Philippa Perry

Why mummy drinks ;)

I've read a number of books on parenting.

The best I ever did was have therapy. I wish I'd had enough before having kids to know what I now do. Not one book covered the vital realisations and lessons I apply as therapy did.

The fact you're looking for a book tells me you're already more than good enough btw. 😘

Edit - book recommended: 'Hold onto your kids' - Gabor Mate. This resonated alot.

I enjoyed Lucy Mangan’s Are We Having Fun Yet?

Oops! I thought you were looking for fiction! My favorite parenting books are Deborah Jackson’s Three in a Bed and and Do Not Disturb. The first in particular is a little outdated in places but still inspiring. Also, Libby Purves’ How Not to Be a Perfect Mother. Infinitely reassuring!

Thanks for this rec @NameChangedOfc . I’m reading it on holiday and enjoying it so much. Fascinating way of looking at things!

I still love, although it’s very old, Libby Purves’ How Not to be a Perfect Mother and its follow on How Not to be a Perfect Family. They are both very unmumsnetty, though. And Deborah Jackson’s Do Not Disturb is brilliant -aka I agree with her!

Oops-zombie thread and I’ve said this already! Sorry!

I'm so glad you are enjoying the reading! It is a fascinating topic to look at from so many different perspectives!

And while I'm here, I want to thank @PondGhost (very suggestive nickname, by the way) for her recommendation as well: I ordered and am reading Stadlen's book and it's been a deeply healing experience.

Bruno Bettelheim , A Good Enough Parent

My Wild and Sleepless Nights by Clover Stroud.