Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty, and Life after Pregnancy

In this self-help book for Christian woman who struggle with body image, Cabrera and Wierenga (Chasing Silhouettes) offer the perspectives of a licensed clinician and an author who has personally battled anorexia, respectively. While the authors mention that one not need share the Christian faith in order to adopt an outlook of personal worth that precludes dangerous eating patterns, the bulk of the advice strongly emphasizes reliance on Christ. Replete with anecdotes and supportive phrasing, the book covers such challenges as physical recovery from pregnancy, preparing nutritious meals for one's family, and managing social relationships. The counsel regarding how to balance personal needs with those of one's marriage hinges on the concept that women need to feel cherished while men need to feel respected. Though the language devoted to this and other topics remains sympathetic, it grows repetitive, privileging God to solving specific problems. Each chapter ends with a list of thoughts for reflection and tools for change, while the chapters themselves typically consist of less specific healing terminology, positive quotations, and personal stories. Women who agree with the authors' spiritual assessments will benefit from this book's encouraging tone. (May)