Description
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT “THIS WASN’T THE PLAN”
‘This book is like a group chat with your funniest, most gloriously exhausted friends — raw, hilarious, and painfully spot-on. It made me laugh, nod, and quietly question why I treat rest like something I have to earn.’ – Kylie Denton, multiple best-selling author.
‘Mel Robinson has written a heartfelt account of how she felt when, caught between the needs of her young adult children and her aging parents, she had to put her own dreams on hold … It shows how easy it is to become torn between love and resentment, and what steps must be taken to get out of that rut. All women (or men) who find themselves facing a similar family dilemma should read it.’ – Barbara Scott-Emmett, author.
Barbara Scott-Emmett –
What do you do when your children refuse to fly the nest?
Mel Robinson has written a heartfelt account of how she felt when, caught between the needs of her young adult children and her aging parents, she had to put her own dreams on hold. How lovely it would be to sit in peace in her quiet room meditating, or to take that trip she always wanted. How lovely, but how impossible.
Written in short bursts in an upbeat tone, This Wasn’t the Plan is poetic in its format, concise in its message. Easy to read, this memoir clearly shows how the strain of being the drudge everyone else turns to, the disappointment at losing ‘herself’, and the subjugation of her own desires, leaves her exhausted and lacking self-worth. The expense of feeding adult children, paying a mortgage without having the house to herself, keeping a constant eye on failing parents, and putting aside her own needs and wishes, leads inevitably to depression and stress. She recognises that she has allowed herself to become a martyr, though anyone caught in her situation would probably make the same choice – to be there for her family.
Not so much a ‘how to’ book but more a ‘how it was for me’ account, it shows how easy it is to become the dogsbody, torn between love and resentment, and what steps must be taken to get out of that rut. All women (or men) who find themselves facing a similar family dilemma should read it. Perhaps then they will find a way to be ‘self’-ish and save themselves from the exhaustion and misery such martyrdom brings.
Narelle –
This Wasn’t The Plan is the story of so many women in their mid-life.
It’s such an easy, enjoyable read with a lot of ‘I know, right?!’ moments. Mel manages to combine great insight with laugh out loud real-life stories.
This book is a worthy read for any woman who has been a mum, a daughter, a career-focused woman aspiring to winding down to some peaceful well-deserved me-time in retirement. Certainly doable, but maybe not quite in your dreamt-of timeframe.
Melissa –
This wasn’t the plan provides the story of many of our lives with wit and wisdom. Through wonderful story telling, Mel helps us realise we are not alone in our struggles and our strengths. I felt myself barracking for her to get to the life she expected to lead, just like I barrack for us all to do that (including myself). An easy read that will leave you thinking.
Kylie –
This book resonated with me on so many levels. It was like a snap shot into my 52 year old life and made me feel like someone else understood the turmoil of my ever changing emotions about getting older. Very entertaining, and an easy read too. This book really exposed the tough topics. I recommend it to women of all ages as it holds wisdom we should all share.