The Sacrificial Mother: Escaping the Trap of Self-Denial
by By Rubenstein, Carin, Ph.D.
Category: Family & Relationships , Parenting , Motherhood

Based on extensive research into the lives and emotions of thousands of women, this book identifies the dangers of the sacrifice syndrome for mothers and shows them how to escape it. Using dramatic examples from many women's lives, Rubenstein exposes the toll that self-denial takes on women and their families when they fool themselves into thinking that sacrifice will make them better mothers. There's the true story of the woman who worked a full-time job all night, but refused to sleep so that she could take care of her children during the day. Many mothers choose less drastic ways of sacrificing, like the woman who got up early on Thanksgiving day to cook a turkey because her husband insisted on smelling it, even though they were going out for the holiday dinner.The author shows how making a habit of sacrifice can destroy self-esteem and wear women down; she also advises women how to incorporate into their lives some time and nurturing for themselves. She reveals the benefits of becoming just a bit more selfist - taking care of one's self - instead of being overly sacrificial. And she unveils the startling news that being less sacrificial actually makes for much healthier and happier relationships with both husband and children.