The Bottom Line
This guide had me nodding my head with agreement and also learning some interesting facts and tidbits along the way concerning parenting, becoming a new mommy, and mothers learning facing the facts that you just can't do it all, so relax! The guide offers easy reading, practical and witty advice, and has been described as a "Mom's Group in a book"--a description I wholeheartedly agree with.
Pros
- Very easy reading
- Loaded with advice from moms and parents-to-be
- Chapters are well organized
- Light-hearted approach to some sensitive kid/mommy topics
- Quotes from moms sharing their experiences is enlightening
Cons
- The only downside is I would have liked the book to extend past the toddler years
Description
- Includes the 10 most important features to look for in a stroller
- Discusses eight sure-fire strategies for getting baby to sleep through the night
- Lists seven secrets for getting dad to help out more
- Provides three top toys for baby
- Lists eight clever ways to manage the deluge of kids' artwork
- Notes six simple ways to save money on nursery essentials
- Contains a five-step plan for finding great child care
- Details seven ways to ease the transition to child care for parents and baby
- Includes three golden rules for a new-mommy wardrobe
- States nine top tips for saving money on child care and babysitting
Guide Review - The Gallagher Guide to the Baby Years
"The Gallagher Guide to the Baby Years: The Real Moms' Survey of Top-Rated Products and Advice" is filled with 467 ways to help parents with tried-and-true advice and tips about raising kids. The book takes a somewhat unique approach by combining product reviews, time-savers and shortcuts, advice of do's and don't's by other moms, and reality checks about what a new mom should expect packaged in a single easy-to-read guide. I particularly enjoyed the chapter entitled, "The Top Ten Ways You Know You've Become A Mom" because it so-accurately talked about things like entertaining, working out, relaxing, snacks, and love "before" being a mom and then "after" entering the mommy-realm. I recommend the guide for moms-to-be, first time moms as well as experienced moms alike. Even though I have three children of my own, I learned some helpful tips but also rejoiced in the affirmation that some of my emotions and lack of having a spotless house any longer is...normal!
