Mothering Heights - Parenting

Sunday

18May2008

The Minivan Years: Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Motherhood

Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 11:38AM

The Minivan Years: Celebrating the Hectic Joys of Motherhood

by Olivia Bruner
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Center Street (January 10, 2008)
List Price: $12.99

Reviewed by CPA Mom

"Welcome to the Minivan Zone...Not long ago I crossed a line that shoved me into a whole new dimension of motherhood: Kurt and I brought home baby number four....it also meant saying good-bye to my standard automobile...And so, no matter how young, glamorous or hip I may want to appear, I am fated to dwell in a place known as the Minivan Zone."

And so begins Olivia Bruner's journey through the highs and lows of parenting four children. She says "it is the season when your needs go unmet and dreams seem unfulfilled." With that sentence, she had me hooked. Here was a woman who understood. But she goes on to say she is trying to make it a point to celebrate these hectic days "today rather than wait until they are mere memories." And with chapters like: Mini-Mishaps: Enduring Embarrassing Times, Mrs. Bruner has good advice for all of us moms in the "minivan zone."

All of her chapters begin with the word Mini, which assured me that anything challenging could be faced a little bit at a time: Mini Morsels :

Consuming Mealtimes Mini-Prayers: Requesting Miraculous Times Mini-Stress: Relieving Anxious Times Mini-Joys: Creating Happy Times Mini-Budgets: Teaching Financial Times Mini-Hurts: Redeeming Painful Times Mini-Sleeps: Revitalizing Bedtimes Mini-Faith: Influencing Spiritual Times Mini-Choices: Deciphering Uncertain Times Mini-Charms: Celebrating Feminine Times Mini-Sins: Correcting Errant Times Mini-Enemies: Discussing Devilish Times Mini-Jurisdictions: Being Responsible Times Mini-Scholars: Choosing a School Times Mini-Heroics: Living Sacrificial Times Mini-Saints: Admiring Courageous Times Mini-Perfections: Accepting Thankful Times Mini-Losses: Grieving-Dying Times (and each chapter ends with a "Mini-Tip" to summarize and apply the chapter's message.)

Throughout the book, Mrs. Bruner threads her and her husband's deep faith and "passion for helping families become intentional about creating a happy marriage and giving the next generation a strong heritage." Through the use of scripture and real life examples from their marriage and family life, Mrs. Bruner gives us inspiration and practical advice for every day life.

I really enjoyed this book and give it 4 out of 4 binkies.

You can read more about Olivia and her husband Kurt at their blog Pointing Home or online at Bruner World.

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Friday

08Feb2008

THE BABYTALK INSIDER'S GUIDE TO YOUR BABY'S FIRST YEAR

Friday, February 8, 2008 at 08:11PM

By the Editors of Babytalk Magazine

Reviewed by Leigh Leveen

I was pretty darn skeptical about reading yet another baby guide. You see, I have them all; I have a little library going. So, I opened this book with a little sigh. But, surprise surprise, by the end of the first page I wanted to keep reading. This wasn’t shaping up to be like any other baby book, they actually knew what it was like to be a sleep-deprived, hormonally challenged new mother. They understood the insanity that overtakes you when you cannot shower for three days straight; here it was in black and white. The first chapter says it all to me – “Chapter 1: Baby Boot Camp, How to keep your baby alive and your sanity intact the first six weeks (or so).” Tell it like it is sister!

This book does not sugarcoat anything, bless their hearts. The greatest disservice advice books can do is to pretend that something isn’t what it really is – and new motherhood is hard, for everyone. The writers blend humor with reality checks the whole way through. Here is another one of my favs – “The Bottom Line.” Can you guess what they are talking about, yup, diapering.

They talk straight and walk you through things you need to know – how to make a bottle, change a poopy diaper, take a temperature for the first time, and sooth a cranky kid. They do not assume that because you are a smart, motivated woman that you will necessarily know all this. Motherhood is a new job for most of us, and if you were like me, you did not grow up watching your mother take care of little ones so it is all a deep mystery when it is your turn.

Throughout the book, they list things you need, things you think you may want but really don’t need, and then things you would be wasting your money on. I like that since parenthood can cost you more money than is really necessary if you believe every product claim you come across.

There are chapters on all the expected topics – eating, sleeping, healthcare, special circumstances, and developmental expectations. This is good, since you want a comprehensive book not a different title for each set of circumstances. But, the book also talks about taking care of you; in fact a whole chapter is dedicated to this sacred topic.

This book will absolutely be the one I give at baby showers from now on. The only thing I take issue with – and it is more a problem for the sales of the book than its content – is that the title does nothing to let potential readers know how fun and informative this book can be. We all know the other Guide they are competing against, but at least that title says what is inside its cover. This one could go either way. But trust me what’s inside this one is definitely worth its cover price.

I give this book 8 ½ binkies (since I couldn’t decide between 8 or 9.)

Christine Fugate |

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Sunday

20Jan2008

THE MODERN MOM'S GUIDE TO DADS

Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 07:19PM

The Modern Mom's Guide to Dads Ten Secrets Your Husband Won't Tell You
by Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherford Paperback
256 pages Publisher
Cumberland House Publishing (October 8, 2007)
List Price: $14.95

Reviewe by CPA MOM

I was intrigued by the title of this book - after all, who wouldn't want to know what really goes on in the mind of her husband? After finishing the book, I was a little disappointed. I hadn't really learned anything. But then again, I'm not a new mom. My kids are 3 and 5. And in that frame of mind, I'd have to say this would be a great book to give a new mom and dad, especially a husband and wife who haven't been married very long. This is a good guide to helping you traverse those murky waters and come out the other side in a happy marriage with happy children. Makes me wish I had it 5 years ago!

Description from Amazon.com: This "parenting relationship" book is based on the authors' experiences in leading more than 2,000 workshops with new and expectant dads to discuss parenting in a non-threatening environment. In it Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherford offer thoughtful insights into what makes dads behave the way they do. Not long after Hilling began his workshops with dads, he began to hear from the moms. They were confused by their husbands' behavior and, knowing they were attending Hogan's workshops, invited him to speak to them about what he had learned. Soon he was conducting workshops with moms who wanted to know what their husbands thought about being dads. "Why doesn't he spend more time with the kids?" "Why am I stuck doing all of the housework?" "How can I get him more involved with our family?" The Modern Mom's Guide to Dads draws on what Hilling has learned from working with dads and moms for more than fifteen years. He explains to modern moms what their husbands are really thinking about pregnancy, parenting, and marriage, and he teaches them how to get their husbands more involved with the kids and get some relaxation for themselves while keeping the peace in their marriages. In each chapter, Hilling tells stories from his own life and from the lives of other dads. Each of these stories sheds light on a secret that dads don't tell their wives. Also included are quotes from real dads about their innermost thoughts and feelings, helpful tips on parenting, and a section called "And a Mom Wants You to Know," written by Jesse Jayne Rutherford.

Written by a dad and a mom, The Modern Mom's Guide to Dads is a fun guide for understanding and strengthening a marriage that has given birth!

About the Authors: Hogan Hilling is the founder of Proud Dads, Inc., through which he develops and conducts expectant father classes for hospitals in Southern California and conducts workshops for mothers on fathering issues throughout the United States. The author of The Man Who Would Be Dad and the father of three boys, he and his wife, Tina, live in Newport Beach, California. Jesse Jayne Rutherford is a mother and freelance writer. She is the co-author of Speaking Up: How to Help the Children You Work With Who Live in Abusive Homes and the author of Save the Date: A Curriculum for Teens on Developing Healthy Dating Relationships, which she wrote on staff at the Family Violence Project. She and her husband and daughter live near San Diego, California.

You can learn more at their website.

I give it 6 out of 10 binkies.

WIN IT! I'm giving away my copy of this book. Head on over to their website and tell me the name of Mr. Hilling's other book. Email me the answer (SUBJECT LINE: DADS) at cpamomva at hotmail dot com by midnight EST Tuesday, January 29, 2008 and random.org will pick a winner from all the correct emails. Good Luck!

Christine Fugate |

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Saturday

29Dec2007

My Top 10 Books of 2007

Saturday, December 29, 2007 at 01:48PM

by CPA Mom

I have been privileged this year, to read many great books, because of my affiliations with Mothering Heights, Mother-Talk, Mom Central. Without further ado, here are my most recent must-reads, in no particular order:

1. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. This book has not been released yet, but when it does (January 8, 2008) you need to be sure to be the first in line to get it (or pre-order it on Amazon.com). This book, Ms. Corrigan's memoir, calls "the middle place" - "that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap" and I for one, am absolutely riveted. I'll say no more...my review will be up January 9th...but take it from me, get.this.book.

2. Crawling by Elisa Cooper (my review is here). An absolute must for any parent, new or experienced. This book will validate you.

3. Piece of Work by Laura Zigman I may STILL be laughing from this one.

4. The Sweet Potato Queens' First Big-Ass Novel: Stuff We Didn't Actually Do, but Could Have, and May Yet by Jill Conner Browne. I have every one of the Sweet Potato Queens' books because of my (not-so-secret) desire to meet the Queen herself (Jill) one day and be accepted as a "wannabee." This is her first fiction book after 5 equally delicious non-fiction books. I highly recommend them all.

5. Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor. Oh.My.God. This uber-talented blogger had me from word one. Side splittingly funny and oh so true.

6. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. This was sent to me last month by a good friend to read. A friend who obviously likes me a lot. I could not put this book down. Laundry? Cleaning? Going to work? All by wayside. I know I'm late to the party on this one (never even saw the movie) but I had to include it on the list.

7. Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter. So good, so funny, I can't wait for her next book, Mrs. Perfect. In fact, I have doing a review on this book on my "to do" list, just because (no one has asked me to do a review, I just really want everyone to know what a great book this is).

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) by J.K. Rowling. Really, there are no words. Book 7 was every bit as good as the others and well worth the wait. That sobbing sound you hear is me, still mourning the end of this series. Yes, I am 36 years old, why do you ask?

9. On Borrowed Wings by Chandra Prasad. A book that will stay with you long after you read it.

10. Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell. A real thinking woman's mystery. I loved this one so much, I even loaned it out, which I never do.

(bonus: 11. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This was the first and only book I read for a book club I joined that didn't pan out. And it's a book I'd read again and again. Thanks again is due to Sonia for lending it to me).

What were your favorite books of 2007?

Christine Fugate |

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Tuesday

11Dec2007

The Vaccine Book

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 02:29PM

The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child
(Sears Parenting Library)

by Robert W. Sears, M.D.,F.A.A.P.

Reviewed by Leigh Leveen

The Sears Parenting Library is filled with books that are must-haves for parents. I personally refer to The Baby Book regularly, its pages are well-worn and I have taped the cover back together a few times. The advice is always concrete and compassionate, balanced between medical professionalism and parental compassion. The Vaccine Book is a wonderful addition to this series.

It is a veritable encyclopedia of vaccine. The book talks in great length about the reasons why each vaccine is valuable and why you should vaccinate your children. It tells you how each vaccine is made, its history, the companies that make them and all the ingredients from each manufacturer (and, surprisingly, there is a huge difference between manufacturers and their ingredients!).

What I liked most of all though, was how Dr. sears outlines the concerns about each vaccine, as well as possible variations to the regularized schedule of vaccinations, and ways to safe-guard your children if you are concerned about certain ingredients, timing or side effects.

The one complaint I have about the book is its tone, it is pretty dry. Dr. Sears tries to offer moments of humor, and I appreciated that, vaccines are a pretty hard subject to make exciting. The content though thoroughly makes up for the parched language. The website is worth its weight in gold – www.TheVaccineBook.com – especially, since a lot of information in a book like this needs regular updating.

I give this book 8 binkies.

Christine Fugate |

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