Maxed Out

American Moms on the Brink

By: Katrina Alcorn

Narrated by: Katrina Alcorn

Katrina Alcorn was a 37-year-old mother with a happy marriage and a thriving career when one day, on the way to Target to buy diapers, she had a breakdown. Her carefully built career shuddered to a halt, and her journey through depression, anxiety, and insomnia - followed by medication, meditation, and therapy - began.

Alcorn wondered how a woman like herself, with a loving husband, a supportive boss, three healthy kids, and a good income, was unable to manage the demands of having a career and a family. Over time, she realized that she wasn't alone. As she questioned other working moms, she realized that many women were struggling to do it all, crashing, and feeling as if they were somehow failing as a result.

Mothers are the breadwinners in two-thirds of American families, yet the American workplace is uniquely hostile to the needs of parents. Weaving in surprising research about the dysfunction between the careers and home lives of working mothers, as well as the consequences to women's health, Alcorn tells a deeply personal story about "having it all,” failing miserably, and what comes after.

Ultimately, she offers readers a vision for a healthier, happier, and more productive way to live and work.

©2013 Katrina Alcorn (P)2013 Katrina Alcorn

Great points and research but too much pity

I don't disagree with the working and raising kids struggles and it's nice to know I'm not alone in my anxiety and depression struggles. However this is the society we live in and it is a family choice to make if they will make due with one income or two. Workplaces sympathy on the matter would be revolutionary and change the way Americans work. Although it would be a great benefit to many families it would also bring on different sets of family and society issues.

So nice to know I am not the only one..

Where does Maxed Out rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I actually listened to the whole book, So this one is TOPS on my list. The story was very relateable and since i am going through the very same emotional roller coaster, the guilt i have been feeling is subsiding and i think i may just make it through this break.

What about Katrina Alcorn’s performance did you like?

I felt like i was listening to a friend read to me. Lovely performance!

If you could give Maxed Out a new subtitle, what would it be?

All Mom's: NOW READ THIS!

just what I needed to hear!

Great read. loved all the scenaruos, examples and explanations. I could relate to a lot of this!

Best book for working mothers

What did you love best about Maxed Out?

The book made me feel less alone and empowered as a working mother trying to do it all .
It is not a simple self help book- more of a guide to understand the demands of mother motherhood. I so happy that this book was written.

A must read for working moms

I loved every word, wisely written, so true. As a working mother I went to several situations that Katrina describes in her book. Glad that she share this beautiful journey in the most entertaining way.

That you for this book!!!!!

Where does Maxed Out rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the most important books i've read in a long time.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The book made me realize that I'm not the only working mom that finds this crazy life so difficult.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What is wrong with our society?

Absolutely worth your time!

This was a wonderful book. As a bread winner, full time working Mom, I have little to no time for myself. Taking my commute time to listen to this book was so worth my time. Knowing that someone else has gone through/is going through the exact same things I'm dealing with, has been a huge relief. If you feel like you are maxed out or almost maxed out or have been maxed out, I highly recommend this book.

Glad I stumbled upon this book

Must read for any working parent, moms or dads. You are not alone! Thank you Katrina!

The definition of insanity...

I read somewhere that the definition of insanity is to be able to hold two contradictory beliefs in your mind at the same time and believe both equally. That's where Maxed Out left me. Half of me really agreed with the thesis that the American system (as opposed to Sweden which is portrayed as a working parents' Nirvana) is broken and working mothers are set up to fail.

The other half of my mind found Katrina Alcorn an over-priveleged whiner who had a great spouse, healthy kids, owned her own home, full health insurance for whole family debt free except the mortgage, high-paying, creative job (where demands such as having to review project proposals wete viewed as mind-breaking stress. Really?) Fantastic, understanding boss who loved her. Got her daughter in one of the very, very few good public schools in the East Bay. (I live here too.) Got invited to the Ted Conference. Had to sacrifice mommy yoga, making organic baby food, and cloth diapers when she returned to her job where she was highly valued and over praised and allowed to work a four day week. AND WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS THAT?

So, a dilemma. I think the subject is worthy, but I didn't buy Katrina Alcorn as the poster child for the working mother. (Though she is quite childish in places...) I found myself thinking most women I know would love to have her problems. But these are women with real problems - addicted kids, cancer either in themselves or close family members, unemployment, houses in foreclosure, etc. I look forward to more reviews to see what others think. The book is well written and supported by interesting sociological research. More interesting than the author's story, in fact.

Great book, reminds me I'm really not alone.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes!!! So many people deal with the same issues - too much pressure and not enough time. We all need to remember we're all doing the best we can.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I felt like she was talking about my life.

What does Katrina Alcorn bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her direct feelings about what she went through was apparent.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Definitely BOTH - laughing a little, crying a lot ;-)

Any additional comments?

The book was a little slowly narrated, I was able to put it on 1.25 speed most of the time.