Expectant Parents + a giveaway
Today I have invited a very special guest to share with you! I know Kelly from various homeschool groups and activities growing up. At some point our families went different directions, but after “becoming adults” Kelly and I kept bumping into each other. I’m super excited she and her husband are welcoming their first daughter this month!
As a soon-to-be mom (any day now!), I have of course amassed quite a collection of pregnancy and newborn care books on my nightstand. There is a wealth of knowledge out there, and since neither my husband nor I have a ton of experience with kids, I’ve been trying to overcompensate with research: Pinterest, mommy Facebook groups, books, websites, blogs . . . there is so much information out there. The deluge of parenting advice can be intimidating, to say the least.
The chapter titled “Fitting In and Finding Community” was eye-opening for me. My husband and I just moved back to the area after spending two years in Dallas for seminary, and we’re trying to settle back into life here; however, I realized after reading this chapter that I’ve been so focused on preparing for our little daughter that I’ve forgotten to really work on building a community of good friends and support for “life after baby.” Gosselin had the same realization after the birth of her first son, Josiah, and writes about it openly in this chapter.
Although I was excited about the transition, I wasn’t prepared for the isolation I would face going from a full-time job to staying at home with my baby. I didn’t understand how difficult it would be to maintain friendships with people whose social circles I no longer frequented. And when Josiah arrived, I soon learned that I could only survive for so long on Facebook “likes” before I felt like I was stranded on a desert island with only a volleyball . . . excuse me, an infant . . . for company.
She goes on to discuss how she transitioned into a new world of friendships, and incorporates lots of other mommy stories about playdates, workout buddies, Bible studies, and several other opportunities to make new friends with other moms.
This is what I really like about Gosselin — she doesn’t leave you worried about all the things that could go wrong; instead, she shows you that working through the ups and downs of parenting is part of the journey. She reminds me that I will probably shed a lot of tears, but that I’ll also be filled with a joy I’ve never known before.
Someone has said of parenting, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Never is that truer than during the early years of your child’s life. So go ahead — prepare for some sleepless nights and demanding days. But that’s not all. Get ready for something else — some of the best years of your life.
I cannot wait to be a mother. I know it will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. And I will definitely be coming back to this book as I navigate the first few months alongside my new little daughter.
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While many books for new parents focus on prenatal development and the health of a mom-to-be, Suzanne Hadley Gosselin‘s Expectant Parents‘ core purpose is to help new parents understand key issues related to the arrival of a new child in the home, offering practical assistance as they prepare themselves for long-term family success.
Learn ways to strengthen your marriage relationship, set plans and expectations for parenthood, increase communication, and prepare for the new stage of your family life. Pick up a copy for yourself or for expectant friends and enter for a chance to win an iPad Mini!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- Expectant Parents from Suzanne Hadley Gosselin and Focus on the Family
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd on Suzanne’s website here.
