The Myth of the Perfect Mother

Real Mothers Speak Up. New Books Featuring Honest and Irreverent Advice for Moms.

New York (24/7PR) July 30, 2008 - The "Perfect Mother". Portrayed on TV as Donna Reed or Carol Brady, the perfect mother is the standard that modern moms are compared to as they rush from work to kid's activities, stopping at the drive-thru for dinner. The shadow of this mythical mother is the 300-pound Gorilla in the living room, the ghost that lurks in the shadows of our subdivision.

But two new parenting books battle the myth of the perfect mother with humor and honesty as their weapons of mass destruction.

Popular parenting blogger Michelle Lamar (www.whitetrashmom.com) has spoken out passionately for years about the myth of the perfect mother. St. Martin's Press will release Lamar's book, THE WHITE TRASH MOM HANDBOOK on August 5th. Despite the title, the book is anything but trashy. Lamar's irreverent and honest parenting advice strikes a chord with modern mothers because it's true...and because she dishes it out in a fun manner.

"I wanted to get the message out that being the perfect mom is insanity, that no one could do it," says Lamar. "But most moms are so tired and stressed, I thought a preachy tone would be a turn off. I began writing under the persona of "White Trash Mom" as a way to deliver a message with some fun added in."

Study after study proves that modern mothers are overworked, strung out and tired. There is more than enough research that proves most mothers can't "do it all" without a lot of support. But despite all this, many women hear the voice of the perfect mother as they are rushing from one task to another.

Early reviews hail Lamar's book as "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy for the School Years" and a "veritable encyclopedia of common sense wisdom...a modern-day 95 Theses nailed to the pre-school door." Not exactly the words usually associated with books that have "white trash" in the title.

Lamar's irreverent handbook offers practical tips served with humor. Lamar's friend, writer Laura Lowell, also published a book aimed at moms, 42 RULES FOR WORKING MOMS (http://www.42rules.com). Lowell's book offers wisdom from mothers around the world on how to balance family, life and work.

"Who knows best how to survive and exceed in the hectic world of working motherhood?" says Lowell. "In coming up with the idea for this book, I wanted to assemble the sensible advice of moms who tell it like it is, so you can laugh and learn from their mistakes and triumphs."

Real Moms are In. Perfect Moms are Out. Houston Chronicle writer Jenny Lawson loves THE WHITE TRASH MOM HANDBOOK because it's not about perfect mothers...it's about getting real and being the best mom you can be. Lawson sums up why her readers should buy the book:

"Buy it for your sister-in-law who gives you the stink-eye every time you give your kid an unthawed Eggo. Buy it for the woman in your mommy-and-me group who makes you feel like crap for not making your 3 year old go to Violin/French/ Juggling lessons and send another copy to the bitchy chick down the street. THE WHITE TRASH MOM HANDBOOK is not about money or status or education. It's about giving yourself the freedom to be yourself, and that is a good thing indeed."

Parenting Blogger and author Michelle Lamar is available to discuss the Myth of the Perfect Mother. Please contact John Karle at St. Martin's Press at 646-307-5546 for a review copy of THE WHITE TRASH MOM HANDBOOK, or to arrange an interview with Michelle. You can also contact Michelle Lamar directly at 816-590-7043 or lamar.michelle@gmail.com if you are unable to reach John and you are on a deadline.

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