When you're in the midst of diaper changes, tantrums and a lack of "me time", it's nice to have something or someone remind you of the bigger picture. Dojo Wisdom for Mothers does that. By comparing a mom's life to that of a martial artist, one learns not only some useful tips for momhood, but also a bit about the martial arts (hence the title "Dojo" which is a place where martial artists practice).

The framework that writer and martial arts expert Jennifer Lawler uses in the book provides an interesting way to think about the mothering role. One of my favorites is "The way is different for every mother" - meaning that moms are all different, and there's no reason we have to act the same. Another favorite is "Take what you can use, discard the rest." (I guess I'm noticing some patterns amongst my favorites!) Parents get a lot of advice - some works, and some doesn't. Lawler's point is to pick up the skills that will help YOU, realizing that not everything works of everyone. It's helpful to keep in mind when getting unsolicited tips from others.

The book is written in short chapters, with the advice in the title. Personal examples follow, as well as exercises you can use to practice the advice. It's an easy book to read - a few pages or chapters before bed, or when you have a few minutes in line at the post office.