Self Help Review

What Your Mother Never Told You
by Richard M. Dudum
ISBN-10: 1419678698
review by Heather Froeschl


Ah, the teenaged daughter. They are a wonder. I have my own and feel qualified to say this. I want to be everything I can for her, but we all know that this isn’t possible. Providing her with the tools she needs for life is important. For this reason, I am ever grateful to Richard M. Dudum for authoring “What You Mother Never Told You.” I could have used this book when I was a teen and I still appreciated the reminder of certain passages. Get a copy for the teenaged girls in your life, or get one for yourself if you fit that demographic. You’ll be glad you did.

Your mother might have sat you down for “the talk” and you cringed, and she cringed. Likely it wasn’t enough to answer all of your questions but maybe you couldn’t stand it anymore. Maybe you were lucky enough to have a really open mom who you could talk to about anything, but I’ll bet there were still a few things that didn’t get covered. “What Your Mother Never Told You” covers everything. Yes, everything…from how you are perceived in high school – as a snob, slut, show off, or shy girl – to how you will be remembered at your twentieth reunion, from accepting compliments and gifts from a guy to what you should not feel obligated to give him in return, from telling your parents that you are embarrassed by their behavior, or even appalled by it, and everything in between. What should you do if a friend seems to have an eating disorder, or you think that you might? What can do for a friend who is cutting herself? How can you be supportive of a friend whose parents are getting divorced? What if you need that support?

Discovering who you are and who you aren’t is part of being a teen (and an adult!) and this book can help sort things out. It’s like having this really cool parent to guide you, but not tell you what to do. Richard offers his advice and readers are free to take it or leave it, but reading it is the way to make informed decisions. Information is an important tool to have, and the best possible tool any parent can hope to give their daughters.

Written in a no-nonsense, straight talk manner, “What Your Mother Never Told You” is right on target with today’s teen. Each topic is covered succinctly and with care. In between are pretty images of floral designs, speaking to the femininity of its readers. Used as a tool for parents to broach topics with reluctant-to-talk teens or as a guide for them to read on their own, this book is sure to touch lives, inform minds, and even make you smile as you read about how “you don’t owe him Jack…” It is “the talk” on subjects that might make you blush, but are the must have tools for today’s society. Bravo!

Self Help Non-Fiction Review

Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It…
by Roz Van Meter
ISBN-10: 1402208820
Review by Heather Froeschl



Have you ever had a girlfriend who just got you and could make you see that you were overreacting but would also make you feel completely at ease with your idiosyncrasies? Aren’t they the best? Roz Van Meter offers her psychologically qualified yet girlfriend-friendly advice in her book, “Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It…” and it’s just like having that special girlfriend by your side or a life coach with a fantastic sense of humor on speed dial.

It’s a no-nonsense guide to getting what you want, but it’s also a little book of inspiration to getting what you need. Roz shares her own stories to relay some messages and also those of people she knows. It’s the latest thoughts on self help psychology, marriage, relationship and sex therapy, and life coaching, but it is done in such a light hearted and easy going tone that you don’t realize you’re getting a bigger message until it has already sunk in. The book is made light and fun by the analogy of knickers in every form and relating them to what you want in life. For instance, figuratively (or literally) putting on those practical, comfortable, business like panties to get a goal attained, or sliding into that risqué g-string when the lights go down in the city for some fun. Humor aside, the book offers advice on everything from how to say no and mean it to how to say yes and feel free enough to enjoy it. It explores ways in which you can reconnect with your inner child and nourish her and also take control and know when to get that kid out from behind the driver’s wheel. This book is about organizing your life, one drawer at a time, learning to laugh at yourself, being a friend, and charging head on into passion for life.

Roz Van Meter is a psychotherapist, but she writes like that best friend who spells it all out for you in a fun and endearing way. Buy a copy of “Put Your Big Girl Panties On and Deal With It…” for yourself, one for your husband (who just might learn a thing about the female persuasion), and one for every close girlfriend you have. You’ll be looking at yourself and your underwear drawer in a whole new light.

Non-Fiction self-help Review

Help Me With My Teenager! A Step-by-step Guide for Parents that Works
by Christina Botto
ISBN-10: 0978846508


If you are the parent of a teenager you may have had some challenging moments...you also may have run screaming to a friend begging for advice. Some teens are the type you need an instruction manual for, while others are perfectly understandable. Christina Botto offers a guide for parents of teens, that she says "works." "Help Me With My Teenager!" is a step-by-step guide, that instruction manual parents sometimes wish for.
Botto shares her own experiences, being the mom of two young women who made it through teenhood. Once she has you at ease that she has been there and done that, she explains that the best approach to having a better relationship with your young adult is to understand what it means to be a teen. You probably remember but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. Botto then goes on to give advice on connecting with your teen, giving them room to grow, dealing with their friends, setting limits, and enjoying your relationship with your teenager. You can do it!

This guide is a no nonsense "how-to" that is likely to save many relationships. Being reminded to be careful of what we say, how to act, and react, is worth its weight in gold. Some of the tips are so slap-upside-the-head simple that you'll feel a Homer Simpson moment of "Doh!" Others are full of insight that you just may have never thought of.

If you need a little guidance, a friendly whisper in the ear about what works and what doesn't, Christina Botto is here for you.