Maxed Out

American Moms on the Brink

By: Katrina Alcorn

Narrated by: Katrina Alcorn

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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

ME TOO!

What made the experience of listening to Maxed Out the most enjoyable?

Katrina invited me into every part of her experience. As I journeyed with her and her story unfolded I discovered that her story was also my story.I couldn't wait to see how her story ended so that I could have hope for my story.

What did you like best about this story?

Katrina gives herself the rest she, and all of us, desperately need and then she triumphs! Woo Hoo, Katrina!

Which character – as performed by Katrina Alcorn – was your favorite?

KATRINA!!

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

I laughed and cried. Mostly, I cried while I laughed.

Any additional comments?

Thank you for articulating what has been running through my head and heart since my son was born 14 years ago and my daughter 12 years ago. Thank you for putting your loving words out there... they made me feel less alone and way less freakish. I'm going to listen again. Right now! Every mom I know who is bravely pretending not to feel exactly like I do is getting this book for Christmas. I'll also be placing a copy in the magazine rack in our lunch room in hopes that one or more of our C level leaders will pick it up and read it.

A must read/listen for working moms

You are not alone.

It's like she was living my life. Great story, true-to-life, & not an unrealistic self-helper.

Decent

Took a long time to get to what I was really wanting to hear (how to fix yourself after you reach the maxed out point), and not much time spent on a solution. Overall it was very relatable & comforting to know I am not alone in this struggle.

Reads like a conversation with a friend

What did you love best about Maxed Out?

Alcorn isn't dramatic, preachy or angry. She's just a great storyteller and a real person.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

She's just like all of us and shows what happens if you don't have balance or boundaries.

Have you listened to any of Katrina Alcorn’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listen to lots of books, and Alcorn's voice is one of my favorites.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she actually snapped, I had to stop and really think about my life. She helped validate my professional decisions. I left work, got a massage, then had fun cooking dinner with my kids. I can overachieve when they're older.

Fantastic story, great narration

What made the experience of listening to Maxed Out the most enjoyable?

I loved this book... it should be a Ted Talk. I would write in more detail, but I have to finish a project and pick up the kids...

What did you like best about this story?

its honesty

Which character – as performed by Katrina Alcorn – was your favorite?

Katrina

Relatable

This entire story was relatable, as an overworked stressed out Mom of two young boys.

Nothing groundbreaking - but it’s always good to hear your same issues in someone’s else’s words. It validates and makes you feel a lot less alone

AMAZING: compelling, well-reasoned, well-written

Should be required reading for: working mothers, working fathers, SAHMs, stay-at-home-dads, expectant parents, people considering starting a family, single co-workers, bosses, grandparents, politicians, the president. This describes the experience of a well-paid professional family. Just imagine how it plays out in a working class family. Acorn's brave story--and others like it--are changing the world.

The Answers Are in the Last Chapter

I enjoyed the story, but as I was listening to it all I could feel was sorry for myself and my insane schedule as a mom of 4 working full-time... Yes, the story was impactful. However, if you find the story depressing you more than helping you, the "what you can do about it" portion is in the last chapter.

Very Helpful

Very relatable and helpful. Advanced in my career before kids and managing the multiple responsibilities and pressures now that I have 2 kids and a demanding job became overwhelming. Almost every part of your story seemed to have a parallels with the journey I'm on. Needed to hear this right now. Thank you. Still trying to figure out my next step, but at least I know I'm not alone. Very different from most of the working mom books I've read. Instead of just focusing on "fixes," it acknowledges the truth-what is actually happening in day to day life.

OK I Guess

Would you consider the audio edition of Maxed Out to be better than the print version?

I have not read the the print version

If you’ve listened to books by Katrina Alcorn before, how does this one compare?

First listen by Katrina Alcorn

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

She's a good narrator but doesn't really add anything I couldn't get if I had read the print version only because of the type of book it is

Any additional comments?

This is an ok book; it’s interesting to hear of another mother’s struggle that’s not in your immediate circle of friends or family. Unfortunately I can’t continue to read it; I’m a little over half way finished. I can’t help but think it’s a bunch of whining from a rather privileged mother. She has great job with a flexible schedule and 6 figure salary, understanding boss, seemingly awesome husband, housekeeper, gardener, healthy kids and etc. Why is she still complaining? Don’t have multiple children if you are losing your mind with one and cut yourself some slack perfection is not required. She’s neurotic and unrealistic with her expectations of being a good mother. She would probably slit her wrist if she had money problems, stripped away the housekeeper, gardener and had a husband that worked outside the home. I can’t sympathize nor relate to this woman in anyway.