I was fortunate to be given an Arc copy of this wonderful book to read and review:
I loved this book so much. It brought back so many memories of when I became a mother 26 years ago. The way Alexandra writes is passionate and straight from the heart. She is transparent about her feelings and leaves nothing to the imagination. Alexandra has poured her heart and soul into this book to reassure other mothers that there is no right or wrong way, it is just your way! I felt like I was reading my own story; the insecurities; the mother guilt; the longing for a baby; the overwhelming joy when I found out my baby was a girl; the advice, good and bad, from the “experts”; the anxiousness about giving birth; the working mum and the list goes on.
I spent a year trying to get pregnant, which felt like a long difficult year, when friends and family were announcing pregnancies, so I can resonate, to some degree, with Alexandra’s story. The joy I felt when I finally became pregnant during a time that I would never have guessed this would happen. My daughter was born at the end of June too, like Alexandra’s and reading about Alexandra’s daughter’s characteristics brought back fond memories of my daughter’s similar Cancerian traits. I too was asked time and time again when I would be having more children!
I would recommend reading this story about real life motherhood rather than swamping yourself with self help books on motherhood, before you get pregnant and re-read at every stage in the pregnancy and after the birth. The best reading is from the heart of those that have experienced the ups and downs of pregnancy and motherhood.
The thoughts and worries Alexandra talked about are the very thoughts and worries many mothers may have, but don’t like to admit. It is so refreshing to read that you are not alone in these thoughts and feelings. This stage in ones’ life can feel like a competition with other mothers, but it really isn’t and every mother knows deep down what is best for their own child. We spend too much time beating ourselves up over what we think we should be doing. I wish I had spent less time worrying about whether I was a perfect mother and all round human being and more time soaking up the enjoyment of every second of my daughter’s life.
Time goes so quickly, my daughter celebrates her 26th birthday at the end of June. I honestly don’t know where the time has gone. Looking at her now, I know we did a good job raising her. She is independent, creative, hardworking, beautiful inside and out, caring and knows exactly where she is headed. Reading this amazing book will give you faith in your ability as a mother and remind you not to sweat the small stuff. Life is too short. Highly recommend this book, which will give you hope and encouragement that you are on the right path! Well done Alexandra!
Grab your copy from Amazon!