- Paperback: 190 pages
- Publisher: Vermilion (1 Mar 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0091855969
- ISBN-13: 978-0091855963
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 684,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Smart Woman's Guide to Staying at Home tackles the practical issues surrounding the volatile question of whether mums should stay home with their children. Melissa Hill recognises this is a complicated issue, and one would expect her book to be firmly on the side of stay-at-home mums. However, Hill doesn't seem quite as confident of her position as her title suggests.
As a mother who chose to leave her job to raise her son, Hill attempts to show, both financially and practically, how women currently working outside the home can successfully leave their jobs to be at home with their children. She begins with discussing her personal experiences moving from equities analyst to mum, and briefly addresses fears like being a good mum and finding social stimulation while at home, all the while gently reminding readers that they can always change their minds if they want to. She then focuses on how to actually leave your job, understanding family structure, structuring housework, psychological aspects of running a home and family, and brief bits on meal planning and nutrition.
Hill also discusses, curiously, how to eventually find meaningful work outside the home and how to nurture yourself and find creativity outside your family. While her focus on the spiritual aspects of being a mum are refreshing, Hill seems sometimes apologetic about suggesting women might want to actually raise their own children full time. However, the tone of uncertainty pervading the book may be helpful to women who find themselves on the fence about this important life change.--Marisa Lencioni
Product Description
This guide shows how becoming a housewife can work financially and how it doesn't have to be a life of drudgery and boredom. It tells you how to prioritize your time so that once traditional household tasks have been done there is still time left to nurture your children and enjoy yourself.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I find myself agreeing with all the other reviews for this book, both positive and negative. I think Melissa Hill starts writing one type of book, and finishes it as another one altogether. In fact, there's delicious irony in the thought that if she'd followed her own advice she could have made herself more money, by creatively organising her material into two books! The trouble is that one minute us feckless housewives are having to be told how to cope with the most basic of housework and cook simple nutritious meals for our babies (cringe), and the next we're transported onto another level altogether, and enter the world of self-development techniques, and 'spiritual transitions'. Now I would love to have a spiritual transition, especially if it's as good as a 'paradigm shift' (different book), but sadly I don't think 'The Smart Womman's Guide....' is going to do it for me. However, it is a good read, her writing style is lively and witty, and leaves me thinking that thankfully she doesn't take herself too seriously.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I came across this book almost by accident and whilst about to embark on returning to fulltime work. Now inspired by Melissa Hill I am remaining at home and beginning to work from home on a part time basis. (This book isn't simply directed at women who want to be at home full time hence the, I think, slightly misleading title.) However, Ms.Hill demonstrates that one needn't be bound to a life of housework or boredom as a 'stay at home Mum'. She offers straightforward advice on a range of issues from finances to housework to ideas for things to do twith the children and how not to loose sight of oneself. If like me you are only having slight concerns about returning to work or if you haven't and you are feeling unfulfilled and slightly stir crazy this book just might be for you! You don't have to agree with everything she writes but reading this book could change your life!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was given this book when I had my baby. I really had no choice about giving up work - no available family and local childcare costing nearly as much per hour and I could earn.
I found this a very interesting, helpful and thought provoking book. Yes, some of the ideas seem obvious to my generation but they are probably news to some youngsters.
Some of the things in the second part do seem a bit alternative on first reading but then creativity is all about letting go of your old ideas about what is "right" and being open to new experiences. You don't have to follow every idea as if it was a commandment. We gave up the TV and none of us miss it one bit but like another reviewer I will pass on putting my hand down the toilet. With babies around changing nappies comes close enough.
I think this is a good little book for anyone who is considering giving up work but it really is geared towards the traditional nuclear family. It has made me think differently about myself and motivations.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Smart women a common sense guide to parenting and staying sane
I found this book extremely helpful and have dipped into it on several occasions. Some people may think the author a little condescending but the chapters on finance and... Read more
Published 12 months ago by RNS
A funny mixture, but worth a quick look
Like many reviewers I found the Jekyll and Hyde nature of this book weird: a practical front half and a new-agey second half. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2003
Read it now!
Like other reviewers, the title of this book put me off - It appeared to be another one of those self-help books for people stuck in a rut. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2002 by "cathy200"
Really uplifting!
I was sceptical at first but it is a really good read. I am married with three children but I have been feeling so inadequate compared to my husband. Read more
Published on 17 Jan 2002 by MP
Not worth the money.
I was a senior manager within a large organistion; I started working from home before I became a mother. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2002
Patronising, insulting & VERY annoying. Avoid it.
I read the description & the reviews & looked forward to reading this book ... what a mistake ! Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2001
Useful even for working women
As a working woman, I didn't know if this book would be of any use to me, but I have found it excellent. Read more
Published on 3 April 2001 by susan_tomalin@hotmail.com
Starts well but fades into imagination
As a new mum who has given up her job I looked forward to reading this, but I was disappointed. The first half is very good, full of practical points about managing house-work(! Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2001
A must for all women planning to stay at home with children
The book is a step by step guide on things to consider before deciding to leave work, how to leave work, what you need to know about staying at home, keeping your sanity, using... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2001 by titi_kunkel@theoffice.net
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