Part personal story, part self-help book, The Mother- Daughter Relationship Makeover is made up of anecdotes and exercises to explore a better dynamic between generations.
Leslie and Lindsey Glass use their own experience to unpick how communication, personality and conflict can help or hinder connection between mothers and daughters.
It’s an easy read you can speed through, and a toolkit for reflection and exploration. It could be adapted for other relationships with ease as many aspects relate to the individual.
In the case of the Glass duo, addiction played a part in the breakdown of their dynamic. Yours may be something else, perhaps much more mundane.
With illustrations, ideas, quizzes, and journal prompts, The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover is very practical, and despite its personal stance, can easily be utilised by anyone.
You can dip in and out of sections. Sometimes guided reading elsewhere in the book is suggested, but you can pick whichever area needs work in your situation.
Written in an upbeat and accessible style, The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover is not a one-size fits all, and has a certain tone that betrays its American origins.
It did make me think about my own mother, grandma, and other female relatives and how they interacted with each other. Tools and tasks can go some of the way to improve relationships, but what’s beyond that is deeply personal.
This book is best to approach as one to assist long-term work on improving your dynamic. Even for positive relationships, you both may find something here that resonates.
The Mother-Daughter Relationship Handbook is published by Health Communications, distributed by Simon & Schuster and is now widely available.