Our Nervous Friends — Illustrating the Mastery of Nervousness

"Our Nervous Friends — Illustrating the Mastery of Nervousness" by Robert S. Carroll is a book examining the causes of nervousness and how it effects the lives of characters, particularly mothers, sons and children. It opens by showing Ethel Baxter Lord, a mother living a life of elegance and thoughtfulness, as well as her son, Dick. At the start, Ethel enjoys her role in bringing happiness to her child's life, especially given her sad family history that molded her personality. The chapter shines light on the important role that parental feelings and past experiences have on how children grow. It shows that the impacts of being nervous and reacting emotionally can have lasting affects. The beginning of the book cleverly connects Ethel’s past with the difficulties of being a mom, hinting at bigger ideas about feeling mentally healthy and being in control of your own nervous system.