"Where has this book been hiding all these years—all these generations? With a remarkable ability to observe what is obvious but has remained unseen, Dayna Kurtz shares personal and professional insights in this thoughtful, practical and cogent guide to mastering the challenges of motherhood. She speaks to the reader in an honest, authentic and deeply personal voice offering practical and scientifically validated interventions that can readily be implemented.
In the introduction Dayna captures the demanding and emotionally painful transition that motherhood often entails. She poignantly notes that after birth, just the baby’s needs are attended to in our healthcare system: 'the only cries being heard were the ones from their babies.' And because, 'Every year, millions of mothers are born,' she proposes a new concept in maternal healthcare: The Maternal-Care Practitioner.
The birth of the Maternal-Care Practitioner is the baby Dayna is giving to every new parent, mothers and fathers. Men should read this book to know more about what their partners are experiencing. Dayna provides excellent advice for new parents: adapting to an expanded family, having productive conflict, creating safe emotional space and nurturing the marital relationship while mastering the parental relationship. To the question, what can fathers do in the realm of mother-care, she says, 'Like baby, mom needs to be held and cradled too.'
Reading this book and applying its philosophy after the birth of their first child and each one that follows will enhance every parent’s experience. As Dayna concludes, 'A better nourished mother will make for a better nourished baby.' And I would add, a better nourished couple relationship."
—Michael D. Zentman, PhD, Adelphi University Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology, Postgraduate Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, and Director of Postgraduate Program in Couple Therapy
"Today's mother gets pulled in so many directions, it's no wonder so many put their own self-care on the back burner. Mother Matters guides you, the ever-sacrificing mom, through the essential steps of keeping yourself healthy, strong, and sane through the joyful madness we call motherhood."
—Dan DeFigio, founder of BeatingSugarAddiction.com and author of Beating Sugar Addiction for Dummies
"Drawing upon her experience as a seasoned psychotherapist and a dedicated mother, Dayna Kurtz's book, Mother Matters, is deeply compassionate yet imminently practical, and an essential addition to anyone seeking a more profound, rich, and evocative understanding of motherhood."
—Sebastian Zimmermann, MD, author of Fifty Shrinks
"Mother Matters is a warm, witty, and practical guide to helping new mothers navigate the often breathtaking, but sometimes difficult, and rarely perfect transition into motherhood. Bolstered by the latest findings in scientific research and her own training as a clinical social worker and certified pre- and postnatal fitness trainer, author Dayna Kurtz offers practical 'how-to' advice, illustrative real-life vignettes, and her own poignant reflections on the vicissitudes of motherhood. Kurtz’s writing style is clear, pragmatic, and to the point. Recognizing the societal pressures women face to “do it all” and to do it flawlessly, especially when it comes to motherhood, Kurtz emphasizes the importance of making room for imperfection, and of caring for mother as well as baby. This book will be invaluable to new moms, and to those who love them."
—Karen Starr, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst
"It’s refreshing and empowering to have resources that are available to everyone. I appreciated that each chapter began with a new mother’s story, which helped make the information relatable."
—Tulsa Book Review
