The Fringe Hours

January 19, 2015
Lifestyle blogger (themomcreative.com) and marketing professional Turner, wife and mother of two young children, addresses how women must find time for themselves amid their own busyness. Turner calls the time women have for themselves the “fringe hours,” the pockets of time here and there between work, family, and household duties. Turner examines such topics as eliminating guilt and comparison, shifting perspective, prioritizing activities, embracing help, and finding rest. Plenty of page space permits readers to take notes. She draws from her own experiences and those of women from a variety of circumstances (single mothers, homeschooling moms, mothers who work outside the home, etc.). Readers will likely relate to one or another of the women; however, some may feel less empathy for those who still have difficulty finding time for themselves despite having nannies. The author also suggests using cooking, cleaning, and shopping services. Though Turner’s book does point out areas where women can and should find more personal time to care for themselves, readers who do not have the financial resources to hire others may wonder how they, too, can find some relief.