Monday, August 3, 2009

The Must-Have Mom Manual Review & Giveaway

When I was pregnant, I read every parenting book I could find. Over and over, I found myself wondering who wrote these things. Every one I found either seemed very biased or very strict in their way of thinking.

A few months back, I read a review of The Must-Have Mom Manual by Heather over at Maternal Spark. So, I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to read it for myself. From the moment I opened it, I was wishing it had been around 5 years ago. What I love about the book is how real it is.

The Must-Have Mom Manual was written by Sara Ellington and Stephanie Triplett, two best friends who found themselves pregnant together. Because they often have differing approaches to parenting situations, The Must-Have Mom Manual shows moms there is no "right" way to do things. Rather than telling moms what to do, The Must-Have Mom Manual addresses the positives and negatives of each situation and lets moms figure out what works for them. When I opened up The Must-Have Mom Manual I flipped right to the "Starting School" section. I began to read, Okay, stop crying and listen. I know it's scary and sad and just plain wrong that another person is going to be spending the entire day with your child instead of you. And all I could think is, this is me, this is how I feel. Right now, the first day of kindergarten is weighing heavily in my mind, and I was amazed to see I wasn't alone. It was (gasp) normal.

The Must-Have Mom Manual is easy to read, full of humor and understanding, and truly a must-have. Even though my son is five, there is so much information that pertains to us. The authors cover topics like discipline, sleeping, birthday parties, food and health, and holiday survival tactics, along with many, many others.
Would you like to win your own copy?
I'm lucky enough to be able to offer a copy to one lucky reader. To enter, take a look a the chapter list/excerpts, and tell me which one looks the most interesting.

Want extra entries? (Leave separate comments for each)
  • Follow me on Blogger
  • Grab my button
  • Add me to your blog roll
  • Follow me on Twitter (Leave your username)
  • Tweet this giveaway (Leave link)
  • Enter for a second chance to win The Must-Have Mom Manual at Feels Like Home, than come back and let me know that you did
Giveaway ends 8/7 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be notified via email. Open to US only. Be sure to leave a way to contact you!

You can find other reviews and giveaways of The Must-Have Mom Manual at Maternal Spark, The Un Mom, A Little Bit Nutty, My Bottle's Up, and Feels Like Home.

33 comments:

koreen (aka: winn) said...

Sounds like a good book. I'm a bit wary of parenting advice books, cuz I've read so many bad ones. The section on Life with Kids looks interesting, as that's one of my priorities right now: teaching values, discipline, role models, etc. It's a hard thing to do!

koreen (aka: winn) said...

Btw: you've been on my blog roll for some time now. =)

koreen (aka: winn) said...

Following you on twitter!

koreen (aka: winn) said...

I tweeted your giveaway. Whew! That's a lot of work! (jk)

B said...

I am a follower of your blog.

B said...

I now follow you on twitter ...bonniesask

B said...

Your on my blogroll

Jennifer said...

The chapter on play groups seems the most interesting to me.

Jennifer said...

I am now following you on Twitter. I am @FamilyMusings.

Jennifer said...

Tweeted your contest

Jennifer said...

I am also now following you in Blogger.

Joy said...

Oh my gosh! I want to read the entire book but really I'm stoked about the entire "Life With Kids" and "Managing Your Household" sections!

Joy said...

I have you on my blog!!

http://www.mommysjoy.com/must-see-links/

mom@mommysjoy.com

Joy said...

I follow on Twitter!!

mom@mommysjoy.com

Joy said...

I just tweeted!

http://twitter.com/Mommysjoy/status/3125276684

mom@mommysjoy.com

Joy said...

I went to Feels Like Home but couldn't find the link for the book anywhere. It's not listed in the giveaways either.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I think Sleeping Babies looks like one of the most interesting chapters.

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i am a follower

-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Rattled Mom said...

I'm all about reading chapter 8, about going back to work. I'm headed back soon and I'm interested to hear the authors' perspectives!

Beeb said...

I think the chapters about the birth, like "At The Hospital", would be particularly pertinent for first-time moms. What a great thing to add to a gift basket! Thank you for the giveaway!

~Beeb
supercoupongirl AT gmail.com

blogggggg said...

Chapter 14: Going Out to a Restaurant with your Baby or Child looks very interesting to me. I have seen so many children go a little berzerk at a restaurant and I want to make sure I am prepared when I go out with my little one!

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

blogggggg said...

I follow your blog!

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

blogggggg said...

I added you to my blog roll:
http://invisiblepedestrian.blogspot.com/

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

blogggggg said...

I follow on twitter!
username: wordsmoveme

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

blogggggg said...

I signed up for the chance to win The Must-Have Mom Manual at Feels Like Home!

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

wigget said...

i think the chapter on Postpartum Depression would be most helpful since i suffered from it

Lentil said...

I would benefit from a lot of these chapters. "Sleeping kids" for one -- our day seems to be built around DD's sleep, and I could use some other perspectives on sleep!

Heidi said...

Wow, the whole book sounds great! I think the two chapters I would read first are "Chapter 3: Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-feeding: The Bottom Line" and "Chapter 7: Leaving Your Career". I would love to breastfeed and be a stay at home mom so the more information I can find out the better!

Lentil said...

I entered at Feels Like Home

Carrie said...

Chapter 7 on leaving your career really speaks to me!

Carrie said...

I entered over at Feels Like Home as well.

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