What Happy Working Mothers Know: How New Findings in Positive Psychology Can Lead to a Healthy and Happy Work/Life Balance

I am a working father, generally happy, but currently more grumpy than usual: the economy, the weather (Chicago winter approaches) and my dear son's evolution into dictatorial toddler. This book has done wonders for my mood, my approach to life and my plans. I actually like the fact that its teaching is in multiple narratives--central text interspersed with sidebars, charts and sketches--because these "bite-sized" nuggets of empathy, heroism, and yes, sheer wisdom, are perfect for busy working parents. I read it in spurts, dive back to recall a lesson, true story or insight and hold it in my head for the day. Another reviewer complained that this book repeats the "What Happy People Know" messages. Sure it does. That's the point. Those messages are timeless truths that are worth repeating. In this book they've been synthesized and adapted for working parents. I really appreciate that, even though I usually don't read books that claim to speak to just one of the many roles I play in life. I usually steer away from something so specific--a whole book about happy working mothers? No thanks! Smug people who have figured out how to raise kids, succeed at work, honor your spouse and love yourself? Please, take your success stories elsewhere! I was so wrong. Greenberg and Avigdor share their lessons in happiness for all to learn. And they do it gently, positively and transparently. I've been humbled. I share this book with parents who need uplifting and I recommend others to do so. And who doesn't need uplifting now and again? I'm a better man for having read this book.

It seems like a "no win" situation. As mothers, if we choose to stay at home, we feel guilty for not being able to provide financially for our family. If we go to work, we feel guilty for not being there for our kids. What Happy Working Mothers Know reminds us that staying home with our kids or working outside the home is a personal choice. There is no right answer that fits us all. The most important thing is to make sure that we are happy with ourselves and our decisions. Life can get pretty dismal if we feel we are sacrificing without getting anything in return. Unfortunately, then, we only manage to make those around us miserable too.

A quick, enjoyable read full of revealing personal insights from top opinion makers, such as Dee Dee Meyers, to regular folks, every manager of people needs to read this book. Don't let the title fool you: the book could easily be called The Busy Person's Reality Guide to Happiness. Everyone can benefit from the authors' masterful integration of science and practice into a realistic and user-friendly approach that you can easily grasp and put to work immediately in the work and family settings. In addition to their own research and other new findings, the authors simply and clearly explain some established concepts that are often misportrayed or garbled in less expert hands. Let's hope for more soon from the Greenberg/Avigdor team!

I am honored to have been one of the contributors to this wonderful book that will help any working mother achieve balance, serve others and not short change their career, their kids, their marriage or themselves. One of the common complaints I have heard from working moms is that they are having more difficulty locating and coming from the warmth inside them that is part of what they as women bring to the world. It eats away at many of them to feel so overwhelmed and so irritable because they feel so out of control with all the endless responsibilities that won't go away. "What Happy Working Mothers Know" IS the cure for this dilemma that affects so many working mothers. What separates this from so many other books on this topic is the scientific research that all the conclusions and recommendations that the authors offer. I know that many working mothers will say, "The last thing I need is another responsibility" and reading this book will just become that. Be assured that the real world, in your life benefits this book offers occur so quickly, your efforts will be quickly repaid. Buy and read this book, you owe it to yourself. Mark Goulston - blogger Huffington Post - Tribune syndicated career advice columnist - author Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone