About the Book

“I’m too stressed out and tired even to have sex with my husband any more!” That’s the universal complaint of mothers with young children today. And no matter how much these mothers “schlep” their kids from one activity to another and shell out big bucks for extravagant birthday parties and every educational toy, they feel they are not doing enough. Maxine Schnall, executive director of Wives Self Help Foundation, Inc., and Leslie Levin, who between them have five kids, four step-children, and seven grand-children, are here to say that there’s an easier, less costly way to raise your children than the current “extreme parenting” craze— a “smart mom” way that will turn out happier, even more successful kids! Not only will you be calmer, sexier, and able to enjoy life more fully when you stop overscheduling your kids and micromanaging their lives, but your children will feel less anxious, be more creative and have healthy values and a zest for life.

About the Author

Maxine Schnall

Maxine Schnall is the author of six books and co-author of one and a nationally known self-help expert who appears frequently on television and radio, including six appearances on Oprah. Her 1981 book Limits: A Search for New Values (Clarkson Potter), was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Her other books include Every Woman Can be Adored (Coward-McCann, 1984), an astute guidebook for single women. Her most recent book, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger (Perseus, 2002; Da Capo Press, 2003), tells how to find the hidden benefits in any misfortune and make a new beginning in life  (www.MakesYouStronger.com).  Foreign editions of the book were published in the United Kingdom, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, the Arab world, and Spain.

Schnall has been a contributing editor for Woman’s Day and was a popular host of her own longtime radio show in Philadelphia and New York. In 1974, she founded Wives Self Help Foundation, Inc., the first marital hotline in America, now a full-scale professional counseling agency, and has served as its executive director ever since. She has been acknowledged by the Gallup Poll as a “leading authority” in her field and by In Touch Weekly as an “established self-help guru.”

Hundreds of women have learned strategies for success in their personal and work lives by attending nationwide workshops conducted by Schnall, including her lively and very funny B.I.T.C.H. (Being In Total Control of Herself) seminars.

Leslie Levin

            Leslie Levin has a degree in interior design from Drexel University. This is her first book. Her contributions of text and illustrations are based on her personal experience as the recovering suckermother of three great kids. Every day she draws upon her mommy mojo to fight her über-mom inner demons and continue enjoying a full, productive life as a smart mom.