How Not to Be a Perfect Mother: The International Bestseller

"i loved this book - an entertaining read, full of good advice, the best being trust yourself. so do! she doesn't always get it right, but she isn't far wrong most of the time. and she doesn't judge you. calmed me down when i was getting worried, which is the most i could have wanted from any book.. worth a read.."
~ Written on 2008-03-24

"This is a great book and I loved it, but I wouldn't take it as gospel. I think she pushes breastfeeding a bit too much - it didn't work for me and I wish I had given it up after 6 weeks rather than making my first 3 months of motherhood a misery for myself and my baby. After a lifelong struggle with depression Libby Purves' son committed suicide at 23, which may or may not be relevant. "
~ Written on 2006-08-08

"This is the best peranting book i've bought or read by far (and i've pretty much read everthing i can lay my hands on being a serious addict). when i first read it i had this warm glow for weeks - and paradoxically, i think i probably became the 'perfect' mother. i still reach for it when my two start to get me down, even though they're really a bit old now, but the humour is so true to life, i never tire of it. A real shame she didn't go on to write about older toddlers, and the school aged child book was a bit disappointing...still, i can still reach for this one."
~ Written on 2006-01-23

"Libby Purves proves that, as a mother who has suffered from tragic incidents that become a daily feature of a mother's life, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With understanding and humour, she talks us mothers through life day by day- sparing a thought for US instead of the baby for a change! A MUST HAVE! Don't attemp motherhood without it! My daughter would have lost her mother to desparation and sleep without this chest of unbeatable treasure!"
~ Written on 2006-01-11

"Of all the books on parenting I read when I was pregnant with my first child, this was far and away the most realistic, the most useful and the most entertaining to read. Full of useful tips on real-life parenting - not the textbook claptrap of "perfect mother" books. I would recommend this book to any new parents, old parents, grandparents, carers, next-door-neighbours... anyone who has dealings with babies, toddlers and young children. An essential weapon in the parental armoury!"
~ Written on 2004-03-30