How many books did you read while you were pregnant? Or trying to become pregnant? Or as a parent (if you had time!)? I don’t know about you, but I read a lot. I also know of people who didn’t read any. For the exact reason that I read a lot.
That reason being that there is so much information out there! So much stuff that you don’t necessarily agree with. So much stuff based on fear. So much stuff that just doesn’t quite sit right with you.
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I took little bits and pieces from so many different books, websites and articles. I ended up having a birth that I am proud of and in love with. I ended up being the sort of parent that I used to look up to. Albeit with a huge number of faults! It’s a work in progress. So I continue to read and learn and experience.
And in all the time that I have been reading about pregnancy, parenting, mothering, birth, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, crying it out, baby led weaning, elimination communication and a huge range of natural parenting topics I only found ONE book that truly resonated with me. Only one book that I recommended to others. Only one book that I didn’t really have to pick bits and pieces from and disregard the rest. That’s sad, right? Especially considering there are thousands of parenting books published.
Strangely, that ONE book is not the one I’m about to tell you about. However, the book that I am about to tell you about makes TWO for me. I now have two books that I love, would recommend and can use in it’s entirety to help me along my parenting journey. I only wish that it had been written sooner!
Anyone who has watched Beaches, Blossom or Big Bang Theory knows who Mayim Bialik is. If you don’t recognise the name, you should at least recognise the face.
Mayim is an actress, neuroscientist, author, mother of 2 and a natural parenting advocate. She is truly inspiring. And she (actually her publicist) has sent me Beyond the Sling (her book) so that I can share it with you! That is what I’m most excited about.
For fear of ‘ruining the ending’ I won’t divulge too much book info but it covers EVERYTHING you want to know about ‘green parenting’ from birthing, co-sleeping, elimination communication, baby wearing, breastfeeding and secure attachment… to raising children, health choices, discipline and finding balance in your life (family, you, work, relationships).
And she writes so well. She is gentle with her words, non-judgemental, loving, thorough and she backs up what she has to say with experience, science or both.
It may seem odd but one of the main reasons I purchased the book myself is because I saw this written on her website.
It’s simple enough. Yet all I thought was “Right, here’s one that seems like she actually gets it”.
Maybe it’s because she too had many troubles breastfeeding that I liked her book. Maybe it’s because she inspired me to do EC with my next baby. Maybe it’s because she is real when she writes. She doesn’t make parenting out like its not. She’s actually honest.
Whether you are pregnant, are planning to be pregnant, are a parent or know someone who is… you want to read this book.
Giveaway time!
It’s easy. All you have to do is comment below with your all time favourite thing about parenting (or what you would look forward to most if you were a parent).
Oh, and there are a few rules…
1. Only for those who live in Australia – sorry but I’m not sending overseas just yet!
2. You can only enter with your comment once. Although you can have a second entry if you share this post on Facebook or Twitter… just add a second comment with your Facebook/Twitter link of where you have shared.
3. Competition closes at the end of Sunday 29th April – winner will be notified by email (so make sure you leave us our address – it won’t be published) and on this blog on Monday 30th April.
4. The winner will have 7 days to contact Alive and Blogging with their address to claim their prize – after that the competition will be re-drawn.
5. Winner will be drawn at random. Although I’ll still love and read all of your creative, fun or funny answers 
Makes it more fun for me!
You can use the share buttons below and you can follow Mayim on Twitter here and Facebook here.
Happy commenting!
My all time favourite thing about parenting is simple – love. I love my children, I love watching them grow and develop into mini adults, I love hearing their stories and theories on life, and I love watching them learn to love themselves and others. ?
Not ?, but <3 !!
Watching Daniel explore a new thing to do,trying and then succeeding. Seeing the happiness on his face is priceless.
My favourite thing about being a parent is watching my kids learn. My littlest man has recently mastered sitting
. He looks at me with his gorgeous eyes as if to say “hey mumma, look what I did”.
Seeing the world through a childs eyes and finding fun in the smallest things
My favourite thing is seeing how my little girl interacts with others, she is so warm and loving, and brings smiles to the faces of so many, even perfect strangers. I love that I can have pride that her beautiful little soul is something I can share with the rest of the world, and she is the one thing I feel I have contributed to the world that makes it a better place… I love that she brings so much happiness to me, and to others, she is such a blessing
I am loving watching my twin boys explore the world together, the bond between them and with my older daughter is a joy. Watching two babies grow and learn side by side is so different to a singleton but it is all magical (and hard work and tiring and confusing, but magical!) I love watching their little personalities develop.
There is 10 years between my two boys and watching my eldest play and cuddle with his brother, who adores him, is magic.
My favourite thing is “cuddles and conversation”! There’s nothing better than having a warm little body cuddle up to you and ask you a million questions about the universe! I’m glad I get cuddles and conversation from my kids… because my husband is neglecting me in that department!
I’m not yet a parent and am looking forward to everything when I become a parent! The love, the discovery, the learning, the trial and error, the joy and the tough times, the appreciation of the little things just to name a few! I feel like I will grow as a person whilst providing the best environment I can to nurture little people! Looking forward to it!
There are so so many amazing things about being a parent but my favourite has got to be when my gorgeous daughter Alexandra sleepily snuggles into my shoulder. At this moment I realise I am her ultimate place of security and comfort – such a big responsibility but such a privilege.
My favourite thing about parenting is that my children have helped me become a more patient, more selfless, more loving, and more happy human being.
Simply, feeling the love.
[...] you to everyone who entered the Beyond the Sling competition. It truly is an awesome book! This is how excited I am to share this [...]