Mommy Bloggers: I think this will be my next book!

When I became a first time mom, I'll admit it, I devoured the parenting how-to books. I am pretty sure I had all of the most popular titles as well as quite a few of the lesser known as well. I read whenever I could. While I was pregnant, I went to Childbirth Education Classes and a How to Breastfeed Class every week for about 6 weeks. I surrounded myself with the tools and advice of the self-proclaimed experts. I wanted to make sure I did this "mothering" thing well. I looked to the experts and those who had gone before me to reassure me that I was capable of raising this little person without causing too much harm to his psyche. I bought the latest in nursery decorations that were sure to stimulate my baby's brain. I listened to classical music as I read to my baby in utero. I researched all of the "right" ways to burp, change and rock a baby. I was ready. I was armed with knowledge. I am mother hear me roar!

When I became pregnant with my second son, I bypassed the Childbirth Classes and the Breastfeeding Classes. I settled for a 1 hour seminar on sibling rivalry and how to best handle it. I was down to buying just two books that basically covered how to prepare your child for their new sibling. I think I got through the introduction and skimmed the rest before actually having my son. (Besides, who had time to read anymore? I had a 2 year old and a newborn to deal with. Read? I wish! I was just hoping to take a shower before they went off to kindergarten.) I didn't worry about how to burp, change or rock a baby this time around. I knew that he would burp when he needed to (usually in a crowded room when it was quiet) and changing diapers was not rocket science. As for rocking a baby? Please! Everyone knows that the very instant you sit down with a drowsy or sleeping baby, they will wake up with a start as if you laid them down on a bed of nails. The real skill is in knowing when they have hit the point in their sleep when the "bed of nails" phenomenon is no longer a threat. I had been here before. I was ready. I am mother hear me meow!

By the time I became pregnant with my daughter, I was so over the experts and the advice of the pros. The real pros are the moms that I met at the playground, on the soccer field and in the McD's playplace. As I reached the final week of my pregnancy, I glanced at the titles of the books in the parenting section of my favorite bookstore. I laughed. They really should divide the parenting section into subcategories.

--First Time Parents.
--Having Another?
--Been There, Done That Again!
--Are You Kidding Me??

You see, that time around I wanted a book that dealt with a completely different set of issues than the ones the first time moms deal with. I wanted a book that dealt with the things that a mom of 2+ deals with. I needed chapter titles that read something like:

--Successful Strategies for Breastfeeding Your Newborn While Playing Soccer
--How to Find Something To Entertain 3 Children Ranging in Age From 2-10 That They All Will Enjoy
--Sleeping With Your Eyes Open For Beginners
--Have a 'Pre-pregnancy Jeans Burning Party' Without The Tears
--10 Surefire Ways to Call Your Child By His Correct Name Every time
--How to Convince Your Youngest Child That Hand-Me-Downs Are Cool
--How To Embrace Those Last 10 Pounds That You Will Never Lose And Make Others Envy You For It
--5 Ways to Convince Your Husband That The Vasectomy Was His Idea
--Going to the Store Alone--A Dream You Too Can Achieve
--Drinking-It's Not Just For Happy Hour Anymore

I mean, seriously, this has Bestseller written all over it! You tell me if you wouldn't snag that book up after you've already been through the parenthood thing more than once. See my point? I know that I am a good mother when it comes to the basics. I have been down this road more than once. I know how to do the mechanics of childrearing. I needed something different the third time around. I was ready! I am mother, hear me snore!

In fact, the more I think about this real life parenting book, the more I like it! Who wants to sign up for advanced copies?

I think this will be my next book!

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