The Self-Care Solution: A Modern Mother’s Must-Have Guide to Health and Well-Being

Burton’s instructional guide to self-care for mothers is full of tips and techniques, and long on understanding and empathy. A mother of four, she realized that she couldn’t “handle everything on my plate,” and acknowledged her inability to ask for help. She also realized she wasn’t alone in her struggle. The result: this book. Clearly, Burton has done her research, as shown by the anonymous quotes from moms sprinkled throughout. The quotes provide reinforcement that moms everywhere face challenges and have their own fears and frustrations. The book starts well, offering straightforward advice about the benefits of exercise or sleep. Occasionally, Burton’s suggestions are light on substance, if well-intentioned (“Laugh. A lot”). Other sections are more substantive, such as one on sex and intimacy. The book also addresses the tension between working moms and SAHMS (stay at home moms), a point that comes across as a distracting digression from the main subject since Burton shows both groups are in equal need of a well-stocked “self-care toolbox.” She ends on a simple but strong note, reminding mothers that it’s important to “fulfill your children’s needs, not their wants.” (BookLife)