Washington Post Praises MotherStyles:
"MotherStyles may be the best book written on this subject and it could
help your relationship with your daughter [or son] more than anything
else."
—Marguerite Kelly, parent advice columnist and author of The
Family Almanac,
praises MotherStyles in the Washington Post
Bulletin of Psychological Type reviews MotherStyles:
Penley reflects a seasoned, mature view on an important subject ... [MotherStyles] is well organized and shows an excellent knowledge of MBTI theory and practice. Engaging and very readable ... warmly recommended."
—Pierre Ferrand
What Amazon Readers are Saying . . .
Super-Helpful and Fun, Too!, July 2, 2006
Reviewer: C. S. Vrba "New Mom to Daniel Jonathan" (New England,
USA)
I am absolutely ADORING MotherStyles, which I bought, devoured, and read
again. It is EXACTLY my sort of beach book - fun and informative all
in one! My mother went back to college when I was in junior high, and
I took my first MBTI then - and have been a "personality hobbyist" ever
since. As a nervous mom, this book provided the comfort I need - I just
had my first child, and have been fretting about how I can "do right" by
him, what I may be messing up, and how to cope with raising a son when
I had been expecting a daughter! MotherStyles helped me see where I'm
strong as a mother already - and where I need to focus my attention to
overcome possible difficulties.
Great Tips for Applying Types
to Parenting!, June 28, 2006
Reviewer: Elaine Lo
I rarely bother to write reviews but this book deserved 5 stars! I have
used the MBTI personality types effectively at work and there are great
books on that for the workplace. That said, I have not found a better
overall summary of conflict resolution for type differences than in this
book. And of course its application of MBTI to mothering is unique. I
found the recommendations helpful, concise and best of all not guilt-inducing!
It was a refreshing and thoughtful read. I highly recommend it.
Very insightful and helpful!, June 24, 2006
Reviewer: K. Flemming (Chicago, IL)
I loved this book - I read it like a good, page turning, bestseller -
cover to cover in just a matter of days! (The exception being I constantly
had a highlighter in my hand.) It provided a lot of insight and "Aha's" for
me. Thank you for such a wonderful, helpful, insightful book!
The best parenting book ever!, June 18, 2006
Reviewer: Pele Girl (Pittsburgh, PA)
This book really reached out to me and drew me in. I literally read the
entire book in one day, which is an almost impossible task while taking
care of my 2yr. and 3yr. old boys. It made me look more closely at who
I am as a person and a mother, and apply it to my life. Wow, I am so
impressed!
I Can Do It My Way, May 22, 2006
Reviewer: Mary J. Robbins (Chicago, IL)
Yes, my way is unique. And so are all 16 ways. It is a relief to find
affirmation for both your own and others' ways to parent and realize
we aren't supposed to be perfect, nor are we supposed to parent similarly.
Penley's book provides well researched information that is easy to read.
Her wisdom, humor, and compassion shine on every page. She makes the
reader yearn for the differences we often struggle with among each other.
This book is stimulating, delightful and thought provoking. It is a reference
book to use for today and for all time. Keep it on the nightstand for
every stage of life.
A REAL GIFT to all Mothers!, May 14, 2006
Reviewer: Carol Zsolnay "CAZ" (Midwest USA)
If you only buy one book on mothering, for yourself or for a family member
or friend, this should be it! Motherstyles is a real gift to anyone from
mother-to-be (wish I'd had a copy then!) to the mother of pre-teens and
beyond (glad I have a copy now!) My parenting life was immediately made
easier through the understanding gained from the author's ideas. The
ideas helped me see myself--acknowledge my strengths and accept my struggles--as
a mother. They made me feel good about my unique self and my style of
parenting. Whereas in the past I would spend too much time feeling down
about my mothering short-comings--and we all have some. From the author's
information, I learned that I am an ENTP--subtitled the "Independence
Mom". I might not be the best with a whiny, clingy child, and routines
(I don't even like pushing kids in swings because it is a repetitive
motion. I would look at other parents pushing swings back and forth at
the park and wonder enviously--"How can they DO THAT for their child?").
However,I can now see that my strong desire to encourage independence,
take advantage of spontaneous opportunities, and be tolerant and accepting
is what frames ME as a mother--those are my gifts to my offspring. I
used to think when other moms asked me to arrange for something way ahead "I
am not good at planning in advance" (and I would feel down about
myself.) Now, I say, "Call me at the last minute, because I am REALLY
GOOD doing things spur-of-the-moment". The inverse of my parenting
struggle is now my parenting strength. The book is set up with lots of
interactive features to help the reader determine her unique mothering
style and how that affects relationships with offspring, spouse, grandparents,
the workplace, other mothers. I think if this book were handed out in
maternity wards, we'd have so many happier mothers, right from the start.
“I still reflect and draw upon what I have learned in your class from 3 years ago (has it been that long)? All moms should know about their mothering styles. How lucky I was to know. … I feel like you were my mentor and teacher to help me be a confident mom.” –Lizzy
“What a wonderful tool the concept of type is! … I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to have this new paradigm in my head and to feel its implications seeping in, slowly filling reservoirs that have been empty for as long as I can remember. Thank you.”—Irene
“I now understand exactly why so many activities I have tried to enjoy did not work, why particular interpersonal frictions have occurred and why I generally feel like a misfit with most people. … I now have a tool to make better choices in my life, to avoid being swayed by other people getting enjoyment from something.”–Wendy
“I learned this information when my children were about ten and it was like the Red Sea parting. I could see my own preferred path to take through mothering. It showed me how to be happy with myself and gave me the confidence to go with my strengths. Instead of saying, ‘I can’t’ or ‘I don’t,’, now I say, ’I’m very good at...’.” –Joan
“This information has helped me to understand the differences
between me and family members (and friends and other mothers at my kids'
school, and co-workers, and employers and employees, and—fill in
the blank) so that my relationship with each of them is better/smoother/more
forgiving/better communication/more successful.”–Mary
“I come from a family where the mom is one type, and one of the
children is a completely different type. If only both were aware of the
MotherStyles ‘method.’ I truly believe they would have a
much closer relationship. I also believe that my sibling would be a much
more confident person.”–Anne