Author Stephanie Gallagher Highlights Findings of Motherhood
She had me with the press release teaser, entitled "Goodbye Stepford Mom. Hello Realistic Barbie?" Author Stephanie Gallagher's new book, The Gallagher Guide to the Baby Years: The Real Moms’ Survey of Top-Rated Products and Advice(Simon and Schuster, www.gallagherguide.com),touts refreshingly honest facts about motherhood, and so I'm sharing the top 5 mom trends for 2005 passed on by the author in the form of a press release:
Meet the thoroughly modern, 21st century mom: She’s smart enough to demand the very best in mom-friendly baby gear, yet honest enough to admit that motherhood isn’t all peaches and baby lotion. Those are just some of the conclusions Stephanie Gallagher reached after spending six months surveying 200 moms from around the world for her new book.
Delving into every aspect of their lives, Gallagher questioned new mothers on everything from how they cope with morning sickness to what to do about meddling mothers-in-law. Below is a snapshot of the key trends affecting new mothers in the 21st century.
1. Truth in Mothering
Thanks to TV shows like Desperate Housewives and Wife Swap, for the first time on prime time television, Americans are witnessing the not-so-blissful side of being a mom. And they’re cheering. "Women have long known that mothering isn't all cottony-soft skin-nuzzling and coos," Gallagher says. "Now the truth is finally out in the open." 2005 will bring those revelations to a new level, Gallagher predicts. “Serious issues like postpartum depression and the alienation of the new mom will be discussed more openly, even in childbirth classes and prenatal check-ups. Support groups for new moms will begin to pop up, especially in urban areas where distance often keeps new moms away from the support system they so desperately need,” Gallagher says.
2. I am Woman, Hear Me Demand More
Teddy bears that make womb sounds? Snuglis with cell phone holders? Pre-wrapped blankets that made swaddling a breeze? Welcome to the world of multi-functional baby products and services, where moms rule, and manufacturers are scrambling to meet their every need. Indeed, the market is more demanding than ever, and only the coolest, most customized and creative products will survive, according to Gallagher. For service businesses, it means great opportunity to reach a market that is open to anything and everything they can offer to make women’s lives easier.
“This is what accounts for the popularity of a service like Upromise, which gives members rebates for their kids’’ college funds when they shop at well-known retailers,” Gallagher says. “Moms like the fact that they can be saving money for college while making every day purchases.”
See next page for the the rest of the Top 5 trends.
Meet the thoroughly modern, 21st century mom: She’s smart enough to demand the very best in mom-friendly baby gear, yet honest enough to admit that motherhood isn’t all peaches and baby lotion. Those are just some of the conclusions Stephanie Gallagher reached after spending six months surveying 200 moms from around the world for her new book.
Delving into every aspect of their lives, Gallagher questioned new mothers on everything from how they cope with morning sickness to what to do about meddling mothers-in-law. Below is a snapshot of the key trends affecting new mothers in the 21st century.
1. Truth in Mothering
Thanks to TV shows like Desperate Housewives and Wife Swap, for the first time on prime time television, Americans are witnessing the not-so-blissful side of being a mom. And they’re cheering. "Women have long known that mothering isn't all cottony-soft skin-nuzzling and coos," Gallagher says. "Now the truth is finally out in the open." 2005 will bring those revelations to a new level, Gallagher predicts. “Serious issues like postpartum depression and the alienation of the new mom will be discussed more openly, even in childbirth classes and prenatal check-ups. Support groups for new moms will begin to pop up, especially in urban areas where distance often keeps new moms away from the support system they so desperately need,” Gallagher says.
2. I am Woman, Hear Me Demand More
Teddy bears that make womb sounds? Snuglis with cell phone holders? Pre-wrapped blankets that made swaddling a breeze? Welcome to the world of multi-functional baby products and services, where moms rule, and manufacturers are scrambling to meet their every need. Indeed, the market is more demanding than ever, and only the coolest, most customized and creative products will survive, according to Gallagher. For service businesses, it means great opportunity to reach a market that is open to anything and everything they can offer to make women’s lives easier.
“This is what accounts for the popularity of a service like Upromise, which gives members rebates for their kids’’ college funds when they shop at well-known retailers,” Gallagher says. “Moms like the fact that they can be saving money for college while making every day purchases.”
See next page for the the rest of the Top 5 trends.
