Mom, There's a Man in the Kitchen and He's Wearing Your Robe

December 20, 2004
Dating is hard at any age, but dating as a suddenly "uncoupled" mother comes with an entirely new set of challenges, which Fisher explores in a realistic, nonjudgmental fashion. "As... I prepared to reenter the dating world," she says, "my parents were no longer waiting up for me. Instead, my children were." In the voice of a trusted girlfriend, Fisher delivers honest advice, a fresh perspective and comic relief as she guides newly single moms toward the goal of dating well without parenting badly: "When you begin dating, your judgment becomes impaired. You worry about your children's behavior and don't even consider your own. You often don't think about how you've slipped from being Carol Brady to Peggy Bundy." Having been through the dating-while-parenting experience twice—once as a widow, once as a divorcée—Fisher seamlessly combines her own hard-won wisdom (date only when you feel ready) with the anecdotal experiences of other mothers (never assume that your child is sound asleep when your date turns passionate). Practical tips for how to meet men (including an excellent chapter on how to use the Internet safely) and quips from the children of dating moms ("I just don't want to see or hear about it") round out this useful book.

Starred review from February 1, 2005
Fisher, a widowed and then divorced mother of two, has written a very readable dating guide for the more than ten million single mothers in the United States who have children under 18 living at home. This book offers practical advice on balancing dating and parenting and on preparing oneself and one's children for the prospect of dating again and all the possible consequences. The key to navigating these rough waters is focusing on the parent's needs while taking into consideration how everything affects the children. According to Fisher, communication and candor are essential. Fisher's clear and humorous approach and down-to-earth advice should help maintain healthy relationships among everyone involved. The most important kernel of advice to take away from this guide: "A woman must feel good in her own skin before entering a new relationship." Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Wendy Lee, Marshall-Lyon Cty. Lib., MN

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.