A long, long time ago, around the turn of the century, my now-husband proposed. It was wonderful, we were excited about getting married, yada yada yada. Then we realized we didn’t know how to plan a wedding.
So what did I do? Since I am a giant dork, I trotted off to the bookstore. It was there that I picked up the first in a series of books that would help me in my quest to pretend to be an adult. The magic book? “Bridal Bargains†by Denise and Alan Fields. Not only did this handy book help me save money, as the title indicates, but it told me what was important when choosing venues and vendors and all sorts of fabulous things.
Fast forward a few years to when I saw two lines on the ol’ pregnancy test. I, of course, didn’t know the first thing about parenting, so what did I do? Headed to the bookstore, of course. I told you I was a dork. Imagine my glee when I discovered that the Fields had written another book, this one titled “Baby Bargains.†Their product reviews and advice on what is needed (car seat) and what is not (wipe warmer) were invaluable to me. The best part? The night I sat with “Baby Bargains†on my lap and Amazon user reviews on my computer screen for three hours crying because I could not figure out which of the 924 strollers to purchase, I finally emailed the Fields through their website, desperate for help. Sure enough, they quickly emailed me back and said “Buy this one.†Ok, that’s paraphrasing, but you get the idea. Since then I’ve emailed them more than once and they’ve always sent a very prompt and helpful response.
Then along comes Kate… born without an instruction manual tied to her arm. Good thing Denise Fields paired up with pediatrician Dr. Ari Brown to write “Baby 411.†Everything you need to know about babies in paragraphs short enough for new mothers who, if they are like I was, have the attention span of a gnat. When to call the doctor, how to swaddle your baby tighter than a burrito, getting the baby to sleep – this book has it all. Jenny and I both give “Baby 411” as a gift at every baby shower we attend. I often inscribe it with “This book is the only reason Kate lived to be a year old. Enjoy.â€
An avid fan of these books (in case you couldn’t tell), I waited with bated breath for “Toddler Bargains†and “Toddler 411†to come out. They didn’t disappoint. I still refer to both of these frequently. Kate got sick once when we were on vacation, so I immediately called Jenny and had her read me what “Toddler 411†had to say about fevers. Now I don’t leave home without it.
If you don’t have the complete set, click here to buy one of each. Seriously. Do no pass go, do not collect $200. Buy them now.
I just hope that they are busy working on “School Kid 411†and “Teenager 411†as we speak.
I wish I would have had the books you recommend when my children were small. There was no internet to search and no mothers or grandmothers around to come along side to do the “show and tell” thing, and Dr. Spock was a nut! I relied on the experiences of my friends, most of whom where like myself…but it did help. Hurray for “Momminitup” for filling in a gap so needed for young mothers in our independent. isolate, and transient culture. I think what you are doing is great!
Awesome site guys!
Let me just add the name of the book that has kept Charles Robert alive to the ripe old age of 10 (yes, I know I am old!) – Raising Your Spirited Child: a guide for parents whose child is MORE intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent and energetic by Mary Kurcinka
If you have ever spent 20 minutes (or more!) trying to get socks on your child, have a child that has a negative first reaction to everything, a child that had to leave the movie theater by crawling across the floor because Star Wars III was way too loud or a child that can go from ecstatic to enraged in 10 seconds or less – then this is the book for you!
Let me know if Teenager 411 comes out because I don’t have too long to wait. Sarah and I realized last week that we only have one more year before the Middle School Years and the youth group at church for Charles Robert and two years for Murrin! AAAHHHHH!