You're Doing a Great Job by Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn

Title: You're Doing a Great Job! 100 Ways You're Winning at Parenting

Author: Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn

Publisher: Countryman Press 2017

Genre: Humor, Parenting

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Stop feeling like sh*t for being a mom—laugh-out-loud affirmations for every parent

Guess what? This “parenting book” is not designed to make new parents feel bad. Authors and co-hosts of the popular comedy podcast One Bad Mother, Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn, know firsthand that raising kids is tough. They also know that, most likely, parents are winning more than they’re failing. This book reminds parents that it’s okay to have a low bar. Celebrate what did happen, not what didn’t,

Love love love this one so much! I'm a huge fan and follower of the One Bad Mother podcast of which Biz and Theresa are the hosts. I love how the podcast is all about reaffirming just how awesome we are doing at parenting and at the same time acknowledging how hard it is. The book is a continuation of that philosophy with 100 pages of winning at parenting. So many of these had me shaking my head in agreement. A few even had me tearing up with emotion. This book would be an awesome gift for a new parent or even an experienced one. As an OBM, I had to have it on my shelf. And I had to read it quick! I'm seeing Biz and Theresa record a show live in San Francisco tomorrow night! I can't wait! 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest

Title: Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Family Life More by Doing Less

Author: Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest

Publisher: Bibliomotion 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - Parenting

Pages: 243

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Read Your Freebies; OLW 2015 Home

We’re in the midst of a parenting climate that feeds on “more”: more expert advice, more gear, more fear about competition and safety, and more choices to make about education, nutrition, even entertainment. The result? Overwhelmed, confused parents and overscheduled, over-parented kids. In Minimalist Parenting, Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest offer a fresh approach to navigating all of this conflicting background “noise.” They show how to tune into your family’s unique values and priorities and confidently identify the activities, stuff, information, and people that truly merit space in your life. The book begins by showing the value of a minimalist approach, backed by the authors’ personal experience practicing it. It then leads parents through practical strategies for managing time, de-cluttering the home space, simplifying mealtimes, and streamlining recreation. Filled with parents’ personal stories, readers will come away with a unique plan for a simpler life!

So it turns out that I'm already following most of the points from this book. But it was an interesting book laying out the minimalist parenting philosophy and giving specific tips. Mostly I liked reading about the tips. They gave me some good ideas of how to implement my own parenting philosophy. I also liked the guiding questions for each chapter. Answering the questions definitely helped to execute my more vague ideas and thoughts. I am not usually a fan of parenting books, but this one held my interest throughout.

Geek Mom by Natania Barron, Corrina Lawson, Kathy Ceceri, and Jenny Williams

Title: Geek Mom: Projects, Tips, and Adventures for Moms and Their 21st Families

Author: Natania Barron, Corrina Lawson, Kathy Ceceri, and Jenny Williams

Publisher: Potter Craft 2012

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 224

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Read Your Freebies; 52 Books - W20; OLW Home

It’s fast becoming a geek world out there, and all moms need to show off their tech smarts and superhero-like skills in order to keep their savvy kids entertained and engaged. Geek Mom: Projects, Tips, and Adventures for Moms and Their 21st-Century Families explores the many fun and interesting ways that digital-age parents and kids can get their geek on together. Imaginative ideas for all ages and budgets include thrifty Halloween costumes, homemade lava lamps, hobbit feasts, and magical role-playing games.

A random pick from the library and such a great find. I am a huge fan of the blog, but it was nice to spend some time in the physical pages. The book covers a wide range of interest areas and fun projects. My favorite section was the one about superheroes and comics. I bookmarked a few of the activities to try out this summer with the boys.

Born Reading by Jason Boog

Title: Born Reading: Bringing Up Bookworms in a Digital Age -- From Picture Books to eBooks and Everything in Between

Author: Jason Boog

Publisher: Touchstone 2014

Genre: Nonfiction - Parenting, Education

Pages: 305

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Dewey Decimal

Born Reading provides step-by-step instructions on interactive reading and advice for developing your child’s interest in books from the time they are born. Boog has done the research, talked with the leading experts in child development, and worked with them to compile the “Born Reading Essential Books” lists, offering specific titles tailored to the interests and passions of kids from birth to age five. But reading can take many forms—print books as well as ebooks and apps—and Born Reading also includes tips on how to use technology the right way to help (not hinder) your child’s intellectual development. Parents will find advice on which educational apps best supplement their child’s development, when to start introducing digital reading to their child, and how to use tech to help create the readers of tomorrow.

This is why I don't read parenting books. I hate their tone! The holier-than-thou attitude will never appeal to me. The entire time I was reading this book, I had this image of the author just going "if you don't follow my exact instructions, your child will be an idiot." Ugh! I cannot stand that tone at all. If you can get past the tone, there were a few interesting tidbits of advice, but it was really hard to find. And so it will probably be another few years before I read another parenting book.

A Few Thoughts on Parenting

I don't often write about parenting concerns here. Mostly that's because there are so many great "mommy bloggers" out there.  I don't feel that I have anything groundbreaking to add to the conversation.  However I recent article sparked all kinds of thoughts in my head. Note: The thoughts in this post are my own opinions.  Although I do pick a side of this topic, I do not begrudge anyone on the other side.

While reading through my blogroll, I ran across this article from Huff Post written by Bunmi Laditan: I'm Done Making My Kid's Childhood Magical.  Immediately, I screamed "Yes"! Don't worry, I didn't scream out loud, but it was a huge internal reaction.  The gist of the article is that we don't need to plan these elaborate activities and parties and buy our children the hip expensive clothes. Providing the necessities and showing love is enough.  Allowing our children to explore and play by themselves is just fine.  We don't need to plan every second of every day.

I don't have a daily schedule of crafts and activities.  Somedays they are left mostly on their own to play and entertain themselves.  Obviously that's not quite true with the little one, but I still make sure he has time to explore (safely of course) on his own without my direction, help, or interference.  Somedays I have too many chores or a massive headache and don't feel like being an "on" parent.  And that's okay.  I am not harming my children.

I have often felt the mommy guilt that I don't do more on a daily basis.  Occasionally I doubt my ability to parent.  And then I turn around see my children exploring their worlds, happily playing.  I see my 11 year olds actively seeking out new information and new games.  I see my 6 month old finding his independence in play and mobility.  And I didn't have to scour Pinterest, run to the craft store, and spend hours making something they probably won't even remember.

For the record: I do have a kids' activities board on my PInterest account.  I do occasionally pull things off of it to try.  But I try to resist the feeling that I have to.  Those activities are fun extras not our day to day routine.

Laditan's last thoughts resonated deeply within me:

It is not our responsibility to manufacture contrived memories on a daily basis.

Planning elaborate events, daily crafts, and expensive vacations isn't harmful for children. But if the desire to do so comes from a place of pressure or even a belief that the aforementioned are a necessary part of one's youth, it's time to reevaluate.

Thank you for reaffirming my decision to step away from the perfect mommy race and be the parent I was meant to be.

Sh*tty Mom by Laurie Kilmartin, Karen Moline, Alicia Ybarbo, Mary Ann Zoellner

Title: Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us

Author: Laurie Kilmartin, Karen Moline, Alicia Ybarbo, Mary Ann Zoellner

Publisher: Abrams Image 2012

Genre: Nonfiction - Parenting, Humor

Pages: 176

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Library Book; 52 Books - W9

Sh*tty Mom is the ultimate parenting guide, written by four moms who have seen it all. As hilarious as it is universal, each chapter presents a common parenting scenario with advice on how to get through it in the easiest and most efficient way possible. With chapters such as How to Sleep Until 9 A.M. Every Weekend and When Seeing an Infant Triggers a Mental Illness That Makes You Want to Have Another Baby, as well as a Sh*tty Mom quiz, this is a must-have, laugh-out-loud funny book for the sh*tty parent in all of us.

Not the laugh-out-loud funny book I thought it would be.  At times, I think it tried too much to be funny and lost the realities of parenting.  Not quite what I was looking for.  Definitely don't pick it up if you can't see the absurd in parenting.