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How Not to Be a Perfect Mother: The Crafty Mother's Guide to a Quiet Life
 
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How Not to Be a Perfect Mother: The Crafty Mother's Guide to a Quiet Life (Paperback)

by Libby Purves (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (26 Jun 1986)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 000636988X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0006369882
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 348,579 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis
This is a book which sets out to show that even the most unpromising madonna can survive the years of looking after babies and toddlers. Full of down-to-earth tips and anecdotes, this is a battle-manual for the mother on the front line - going from pregnancy to pre-schoolers, and taking in sibling fights, fraught outings, nannies and careers along the way.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars How to reassure an imperfect mother, 14 Oct 2003
By Rachel Hunt (Sussex, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
I borrowed this book from the library and renewed it so many times that I had to buy it in the end. It kept me amused during my pregnancy and reassured during the first year of my baby's life. Now after number 2 child, I enjoy reading it again and smiling knowingly at all the stages of new parenthood. It doesn't preach, just dishes out good sensible advice in bite sized sections. Libby Purves accepts every baby and mother is different and offers several solutions to the age old challenges of trying to survive the first year of motherhood. Well worth the money.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best, down-to-earth parenting book THAT WORKS!, 30 Mar 2004
By Mrs. Victoria L. Spence "Vikki" (Edinburgh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: How Not to be a Perfect Mother: The International Bestseller (Paperback)
Of all the books on parenting I read when I was pregnant with my first child, this was far and away the most realistic, the most useful and the most entertaining to read. Full of useful tips on real-life parenting - not the textbook claptrap of "perfect mother" books. I would recommend this book to any new parents, old parents, grandparents, carers, next-door-neighbours... anyone who has dealings with babies, toddlers and young children. An essential weapon in the parental armoury!
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Not Guilty, 9 Sep 2002
By MR J D MACHIN (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
You already know how to look after your baby, and Libby Purves has written the only baby-care book I know of that acknowledges this and encourages mothers - and fathers - to rely on their common sense, supplemented with a range of crafty tips that will reduce your stress levels by 100%. Other 'baby manuals', however sympathetic their tone seems, manage to leave parents with a sense of guilt and inadequacy because they aren't keeping the humidity in the baby's room at the right level, or measuring the temperature of baby's milk correctly.

This book is a great antidote to the prevailing tendency to make a science out of everything, even the most natural things, like raising children. Libby Purves has faith in people. As you read her book, your faith in yourself comes flooding back.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars great book .. but remember its not a bible!
i loved this book - an entertaining read, full of good advice, the best being trust yourself. so do! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Thomas Moore

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent but with a caveat
This is a great book and I loved it, but I wouldn't take it as gospel. I think she pushes breastfeeding a bit too much - it didn't work for me and I wish I had given it up after 6... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2006 by Raphael

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible
This is the best peranting book i've bought or read by far (and i've pretty much read everthing i can lay my hands on being a serious addict). Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars The ONLY solution!
Libby Purves proves that, as a mother who has suffered from tragic incidents that become a daily feature of a mother's life, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2006 by helen_johnston89

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the only "childcare manual" allowed in my house
One day I am going to write to Ms Purves and claim a share of her royalties for this book. I found it by chance when about four months pregnant fourteen years ago; it is with me... Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2001

3.0 out of 5 stars A life line that will make you laugh
This book is terribly dated. I found it fascinating that she had to tie the baby's carrycot into the car with string when she wanted to take it out. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2000 by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley

5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me courage and humor to face a semi-wanted pregnancy
When I found I was pregnant I didn't know how I felt about it. I went out and bought a few "bibles" and this book. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun & sage advice from someone who's been there
"How not to be a perfect mother" is one of the best babycare books I have ever read. It's hillariously funny and it gives great tips & advice, without that offensive... Read more
Published on 12 Nov 1999 by Nicoline Smits

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