Mazel Tov! It's a Bubby!; The Joys and Oys of Being a Mother, Mother-in-Law...and Grandmother Hardcover – September 4, 2012

Great book. I've been reading it over the weekends. The author relates her experiences as a mother in law and grandmother, navigating the bumpy road of bubbyhood, dealing with married children and grandchildren. Each situation is told with honesty, humor and tact. From deciding what her grandchildren would call her, to babysitting her grandchildren, having her grandson over for his first sleepover, forgetting the car seat when picking up her married children and how she dealt with that, to getting messages for her married son, dealing with not knowing the gender of the baby while her daughter in law is expecting, prioritizing and juggling her many errands and responsibilities as a mother and grandmother, dealing with random rude people, observing other grandmothers with their grandchildren and learning from them...her book is full of experiences that you can read and enjoy, whether you are a mother in law, daughter in law, grandmother or granddaughter. Her experiences strike the right chord among people. It helps us realize how many others are going through similar experiences, and how others deal with those same challenges. A must read and a great gift for mother in laws, grandmothers, and even for daughter in laws.

There are some nice stories, but really nothing new here. The advice is not new in any way or particularly exciting.

Mazel Tov, It's a Bubby is one of the most charming and yet profound books I have read about the challenges parentsface when their children grow up and get married. The parents find themselves in a new role: grandparent. They wonder how to be in thistransitional position. This book covers all of these topics and more in a light, humorous manner. The question of what to name the baby,how to babysit, how to "back off" when the desire arises to give advice, meaning well, but then.. is it too much? Miriam Hendeles is a giftedwriter who expresses her authentic feelings and conveys to the reader the sincere challenges the parent experiences. The good news isthat she also offers some suggestions in how to engage and when to step back. The book is worthwhile reading for anyone: mothers,fathers, daughter- in- laws, mother-in- laws, father-in- laws, and grandparents to assist in navigating through important relationship to findharmony and peace within one's family. PB Encino, California

Mrs. Hendeles's new book is a compilation of her Binah Magazine columns, along with additional material touching on the life of the contemporary Blackberry-wielding, Skype-viewing, master's-degree-holding mother-in-law and grandmother.Mazel Tov! It's a Bubby! is an upbeat book about a topic that is often fraught with anxiety: the transformation from daughter-in-law and mother to mother-in-law and grandmother. Mrs. Hendeles's self-deprecating humor and positive outlook set this book apart. She invites us along in her attempts to be a "Model In-Law" and "Model Grandparent." Her efforts are usually successful, but occasionally flounder. She takes the missteps in stride, poking fun at her foibles, inviting your laughter.That's not to say that Mazel Tov! It's a Bubby shies away from tumultuous emotions. We waver right along with her when she knows her "new couple" needs space but her hand keeps reaching for the phone. We see her mixed feelings about giving her adult children independence when her opinion just wants to leap out of her mouth. And we witness her nostalgia for her children's youth as well as her hopes for their future.As anyone who has been a mother-in-law daughter-in-law knows, this is by nature a challenging relationship. So many of us make mistakes--and that's okay, if we grow from them. Mrs. Hendeles writes, "When we sense that we are spinning our wheels and getting stuck in the same patterns of thinking, perhaps we should ask ourselves, `Is it time for a change?'" She's urging her fellow in-laws and grandparents to improve their old habits and ways of thinking, while acknowledging that such change is hard.As a woman whose oldest child is still in elementary school, I found plenty to enjoy in this book. I think women who already enjoy in-law-hood and grandparenthood will enjoy it even more.

I loved the book! It is fun to read and hard to put down. I read the first half over one Shabbas, and I found it quite reassuring. As a new mother-in-law and, at the time, a first-time grandmother, I had feelings of inadequacy. I thought I should be full of wise advice for my children, but instead, I found myself learning from them. Now, I realize that I should be very thankful for the wonderful relationships I have. I enjoyed the book so much that I sent a copy to my son-in-laws's mother as a "bubby present" when her most recent grandchild (#11) was born.Now that I have a second grandchild of less than one week old, the book is even more meaningful to me. I identified with many of the feelings expressed by Mrs. Hendeles, and I particularly enjoyed reading her comments about other grandmothers whose grandchildren are living far away in Israel like my grandchildren.Judy Fridkis

I was skeptical when I saw the cover of this book. As a parent and son in law-and hopefully an eventual father in law and grandfather--this book just captivated me start to finish. There are witty anecdotes on every page that I could relate to. My children telling me how to handle things --after asking for my help. Its witty its engaging, never pedantic-- a funny read start to finish and very entertaining and informative.I hope these stories help others as much as it has helped me! Its just a winner and a wonderful gift idea for any parent or grandparent or any new in law. You do not have to be Jewish to enjoy this book-its Universal!!

What do you give your friend when she becomes a grandmother or is about to become one? It the "what to expect when you are becoming a grandmother" handbook. Very well written and entertaining. A delight start to finish. I give it to all of my friends and its for all grandmothers a universal experience!