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Mom Is Always Right Many (most?) of the world’s moms have undoubtedly been convinced at one time or another that they are, in fact, never right, their smarts left them in the delivery room and that they have surely botched this most important of jobs. But being a mom is a lifetime process and the wisdom comes from the journey itself. Patricia Harris has compiled, in this delightful missive, a collection of memorable quotes about the women who have held our hands along the obstacle course of life, which is both humorous and profound and ultimately inspiring. Softcover, 304 pages, The Lyons Press, $9.95. Pop Culture Gone are the days when being a good dad meant playing catch on the weekends. Modern dads are increasingly expected to be involved in every facet of pregnancy, birth and child-rearing - help! Christopher Healy steps in to provide practical guidance in this uncharted territory with warmth and lively irreverence that cuts through all the “shoulds” and “musts.” His cheerful roadmap, covering the basics and beyond (is it appropriate to play “Grand Theft Auto” in front of an infant?), offers new dads genuinely good advice and a good laugh to boot. Softcover, 264 pages, Penguin Press, $14. The Elephant in the Playroom This book is a testament to the tremendous love of parent for child and the sheer will and endurance it sometimes takes to be true to that love. The stories collected by author Brodey are grouped by theme (medications, schools, etc.) but all tell a remarkable and authentic account of how these families have weathered the challenges that come with raising a special needs child. The insights and inspiration crossover to the more standard challenges of parenting, but will likely resonate most deeply with parents who have walked in these shoes. Softcover, 235 pages, A Plume Book, $14.
Eyes on the Prize Working moms in the Minneapolis area and across the country have until April 30th to apply for a Project Working Mom (www.projectworkingmom.com) full-ride scholarship. The scholarships are part of a campaign launched by eLearners.com to grant working moms at least $2 million in full-ride scholarships to online degree programs. The first round of scholarships will be granted around Mother’s Day with additional scholarships awarded around the back-to-school season. “Project Working Mom: Putting Learning to Work” scholarships are for any single or married working moms who are interested in enrolling in an accredited online degree program. Registration can be completed online and includes the submission of a 1500 word or less essay on why getting your degree is important to you. The website also offers an array of self-assessment quizzes, job postings and an active online community that allows prospective students to talk with other moms. You Can Really Clean Up Put away the mop bucket, set aside the scrub brushes and store the old dust rags. Weiman Products is offering consumers the chance to win a one-year break from their house cleaning routine. The annual “Maid for a Year” contest will award five U.S. residents free house cleaning services from Merry Maids every other week for a year. Just submit a 250-word or less essay describing what the feeling of clean means to you and why you need and deserve maid service. Entries may be submitted online at www.weiman.com or mailed to Weiman "Win a Maid" Contest, 755 Tri-State Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031, between May 1 and July 31, 2008. The Business of Being Born Choosing where and how to give birth can be an intimate and profound process that evolves and takes shape over the nine months of gestation. But for many mothers-to-be, especially first timers, the question has already been answered - in a hospital, with a doctor in attendance. Curiously, while many presume that doctors and hospitals are the only safe equation, statistics suggest otherwise. In the DVD, The Business of Being Born, actress Ricki Lake explores and challenges some of the assumptions that many people in our country have when it comes to birthing options. Using her own experience among others, Lake examines the historical, political and financial underpinnings of a maternal care system that seems to increasingly promote the idea that giving birth is a medical event rather than a natural life process. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, this documentary offers an excellent, thought-provoking look at how you can shape this most important of events. Available on DVD, May 6. www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com.
www.care.com www.elderwisdomcircle.org
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