The Voice of Mom

When you think mom guide, chances are images of What to Expect and Dr. Spock or someone similar pop into your head. But The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to Do with (and Without!) Your Baby is different. It’s filled with 250 things that you can do with or without your child. In other words, it’s a guide for living after your life completely changes with the birth of your child.

The GOOD: There are a lot of really good reminders in this book, along with brief explanations of why you should be doing the specific activity. For instance #4: Free Your Hands explains why hands-free carriers are a great idea and offers tips for using them. Another good one is #55: Write Your Birth Story is a fantastic reminder that someday the details won’t be so fresh in your mind, so you should get them down on paper now … someday your child will thank you.

The BAD: While these are great reminders that you can continue living life after baby, some of the items in the beginning of the book are really simple and elementary. This book could use a few more revolutionary items to make it stand out more so that you want to keep reading. Later in the book though, there are a lot more aha! items.

MONEY MATTERS: The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to Do with (and Without!) Your Baby retails for $14.95 and is available at bookstores and online at sites like Amazon.

The MOM VERDICT

Sarah says: When I was a first-time, new mom, I did my best to quickly acclimate back into my lifestyle. I wish I had a book like this to inspire me to live my normal life everyday. Having a baby changes everything and it can feel like your world is upside down and you will never hold hands (#78) or drink beer (#28) again. But you will and you can. True to the title, this would make a great shower gift for a first-timer.

Cate says: Sometimes we need a reminder of the obvious, and this book is a great exercise in that.  If you’re a new, first-time mom, you’ll find many fun little tips and ideas you can do right away – I love that most of them cost nothing or little.  If you’re a veteran mom, this serves as a nice refresher, and reminder about life pre-kid.  The size of the book is perfect to throw in your tote for a little light reading on the go.  I love that the book includes many ideas of things that you can do without kids – #185 Host a TV Night brought up great memories of my Melrose Place parties back in the day.