Description

by Beth Dayley

Illustrations by Janet Davis

If I Were a Model Mother… is a light-hearted look at the many challenges of motherhood and how hard it is to be perfect. The booklet talks about having “perfect” children, being a great cook, a talented musician, a capable seamstress, attending all her children’s activities, a capable doctor, having a degree in adolescent psychology, being a stay-at-home mom, her children’s best friend, being able to help her kids with their homework, an ideal neighbor, an excellent genealogist, and an immaculate housekeeper. She wonders if being a model mother can ever be more than a dream and then ends with the resolve to relish the sweet moments of today. All these attributes and desires are enhanced by cute but meaningful artwork. The 16 pages can be hastefully read, but they are good for some laughs as they summarize the many challenges of motherhood and the potential joys that can still be felt, even though perfection never can be fully attained in this mortal existence. This can be a great gift for mothers anytime, and it’s certainly more realistic and fun than the honeyed Mothers Day cards on the grocery-store racks!