The Sacrificial Mother: Escaping the Trap of Self-Denial

This book defines "sacrifice syndrome," a widespread but little-publicized problem afflicting millions of overzealous, selfless mothers. Author Carin Rubenstein, Ph.D., a social psychologist who admits she tracked down a classics scholar so her third-grade son could interview him for a school project, argues that both mothers and children would be better off if mothers acted a little more "selfist" and stopped denying things for themselves for the sake of their kids and husbands. Do you save the last chocolate chip cookie for the kids, even when you really want it? Do you go without sleep, without new clothes, without a night out on the town, just so your children will benefit? More than 55,000 parents were surveyed for this book, and Rubenstein effectively argues that the sacrificial mothers who never put themselves first are losing their sense of self. That loss affects their mental health--and eventually their family's functioning. Like Dalma Heyn's Marriage Shock, The Sacrificial Mother is an intriguing exploration into the psychology of modern women, and a practical guide for helping them bring peace and balance to their lives and follow their dreams--not those of their husbands or children.