I strongly believe that motherhood is THE toughest and most important job women can ever have.
Just this morning, I met another mother at story time at my local public library. She told me about her sister-in-law, how postpartum depression had basically ruined her marriage. The quick change from independent woman to a primary caregiver mostly responsible for the life of another being that is completely dependent upon her, the lack of sleep, the lack of social support, and so forth resulted in her getting a divorce in the first year of her marriage. Although now remarried, it took her three years and intensive therapy to get out of the funk of postpartum depression and regain stability in her life.
Her sister-in-law's experience made me remember another friend's experience, who also divorced within her first year. Although her infant was one month old and her mother-in-law had come to support during the postpartum period, the two women were butting heads over infant care and she didn't feel she could say anything because she was supposed to be grateful. Plus, she wasn't supposed to make her husband choose between his mother or his wife, right?
As I meet more mothers and hear more experiences of their experiences and those that they have shared with me about other mothers, I increasingly remember why I felt so passionate about editing the new moms book I did two years ago. I wanted to gather as many mothers together to share their wisdom and practical advice as I could so that the next new mom could benefit.
I intended the book to be a compass, a rite of passage for new moms. This passion stems from my own experience with Baby #1: a home birth transfer (41 hours of labor!), poor latch (baby not getting fed), sore/cracked nipples for weeks (didn't have faith I could even continue with nursing!), no family or nannies or mama friends around, constant second-guessing (first of my immediate friendship circle to be a mom), low energy (can't go out much and meet/network with other moms) plus there's a new life (the baby) and housework (what? get out of bed?!) and of course my changing relationship (if I still had one!) with my mate . . . well, you get the picture.
Nothing around me prepared me for motherhood in the first 3 months after delivery nor the first year postpartum. I mean, I see a lot of books on pregnancy for life before delivery and then I see lots of books on parenting for life after delivery. Anything addressing the postpartum period for moms mostly talks about postpartum depression or how to get back to your pre-baby shape or weight! The lack of books addressing the delicate, quick, and often overwhelming transition into motherhood became very apparent.
Thus, I made it my mission to create a holistic book that encompasses as much of postpartum life as I could for new moms. I hope that you feel just as passionate about such a book that exists as I do and choose to gift this book to a new mom or mom-to-be in your life to make it easier for the next new mom you see.
Below is the blurb for the book. The digital edition is on sale October 15th at the bargain price of $0.99. Please help spread the word by sharing or tweeting this blog post (see below).
Thank you in advance!
xoxo,
Gloria
New Moms, New Families: Priceless Gifts of Wisdom and Practical Advice from Mama Experts for the Fourth Trimester and First Year Postpartum |
HAND IN HAND, TOGETHER WE CAN
First-time moms strive to carry babies to term and experience easy labor. Few are prepared for the immediate challenges after delivery, the "fourth trimester." Thus, this unique and holistic collection of alternative tips and practical advice for Moms by Moms was born.
Deepen your breath with essential oils and clean air. Warm your tummy with nourishing foods. Feel your center and strengthen your core with intuition. Share and rediscover with your baby the joy of nature and language. Learn to ask questions, settle anxieties, and employ strategies when you suspect developmental delays. Equip yourself with a postpartum depression-busting wellness plan as well as a process to become sensational in the face of being a single mom. Plan ahead with finances and luck cycles. Most importantly, awaken refreshed from great “mountain” feng shui.
Let these amazing mama entrepreneurs and professionals from diverse fields of expertise hold your hand, save you time, change your life and give you more sleep!
FOR MOMS BY MOMS ABOUT MOMS
For the first time, new mothers can expect to find a book that is entirely devoted to smoothing out the rapid transition after delivery when creating a new family. This book, unlike many others, is focused on helping the new mom navigate all areas of care that a new arrival necessitates.
The chapters in this book emerge as five sections:
~ Mama Care, especially for the first six weeks after delivery (with yummy postpartum recipes from Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions)
~ Self Care, to give new moms permission to care for themselves (including essential oils and cultivating one's Mother Intuition)
~ Baby Care, to make motherhood easier for mama (e.g., cloth diapering made easy)
~ Home Care, for peaceful havens (indoors and out)
~ Family Care, for easing into parenthood with a significant other (including financial planning and adventures in multilingualism)
Multi-published, Amazon bestselling author Gloria Ng is an Oakland-based mother of three who writes on Owl Time. Her work has appeared in anthologies, including YELL-Oh Girls! Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity, and Growing Up Asian American. (HarperCollins, 2001) Seeing the lack of bilingual books to read to her children, she created the Mama Gloria Chinese-English Bilingual Books series. For forthcoming book updates, sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/fSDdD Gloria welcomes emails from readers, writers, and reviewers. Contact or Interact with Gloria Online: Facebook: facebook.com/FengShuiGal Facebook Author page: facebook.com/GloriaFanPage Twitter: @fengshuigal Blog/Website: GloriaNg.com |