(Reed NZ 1983 )
(Nelson Australia 1985)
‘When in 1983 Jenny Phillips’s ‘Mothers Matter Too’ had appeared in bookshops, mothers at home responded instantly to its message, hoping for recognition of their neglected status and needs.’ Changing Times: NZ since 1945. Jenny Carlyon
‘Jenny Phillips has thrown a lifeline to women at home.’ The Dominion’.
‘This book is a classic,’ Unity Books bookseller Nigel Cox.
‘My daughter told me to tell you this is still relevant, and still very much needed!’ reader’s mother this year.
‘Her style of writing is informal, vibrant and intelligent, her approach a captivating blend of vivid personal anecdotes and serious discussion illustrated by the experiences of the many homemakers she has interviewed; the proof of her success is the book itself.’ The Listener.
Hard to imagine perhaps, at a time when the world is full of motherhood blogs, but it wasn’t so long ago that mothers did not have a voice, were very restricted from speaking honestly to one another about their experiences, and isolated in their homes without access to the information so easily accessible today.
At the time this book was written, when most mothers were full time in the home, statistics showed that 30-40% suffered from some form of psychological distress. Mothers Matter Too was written for them and for the many other women for whom the reality of life as a mother was very different from what they expected, and indeed were prepared for. The product of personal experience, observation and in-depth research, this book combines an easy-to-read analysis of the causes of distress and depression amongst homemakers with positive suggestions for social and individual change. This book was written to keep alongside the baby-care manual.
This book was a groundbreaking work, a best seller for many years and was on recommended reading lists at medical schools, distributed by the NZ Mental Health Foundation to women’s childbirth classes, featured in doctors surgeries and was one of the most borrowed books in New Zealand libraries.
Jenny Phillips received hundreds of letters of thanks from women all over New Zealand.
‘I enjoyed ‘Mothers Matter Too.’ It enlightened me on the problems facing the housebound mother and it made me think deeply about my role in our family.’ Graham Mourie. Taranaki Farmer and former All Black Captain, in ‘The Evening Post.’
A recent review
‘This book was sent to me by a dear friend and it spoke to me as if it knew me. I had been depressed through my first baby’s early years and terrified when I became pregnant the second time two and a half years later. ‘Mothers Matter Too,’ prepared me for my second child and helped my man understand me as well. I am eternally grateful. Gratefully yours Carol Nanning.’ ‘Google Books reviews’
A selection of comments from the many letters Jenny received after writing this book appears in the Feedback section.
‘Jenny Phillips has thrown a lifeline to women at home.’
The Dominion newspaper
Jenny’s books are still available from many libraries, appear on second hand on sites such as Amazon.com and are regular sellers on auction sites such as Trademe. co.nz.
