The Christian Mama’s Guide to Baby’s First Year by Erin MacPherson is an accessible, digestible helper for
moms.
With humor, style, and Christian
poise, MacPherson engages moms (and moms-to-be) in a personal dialogue about
what the first year of child-rearing entails. MacPherson knows the emotional
struggles new moms have, and she tackles them carefully. Her positive outlook
on even the ugliest messes of motherhood helps moms to feel hopeful and
relaxed. Through her descriptions of the first few weeks post-delivery, to the
breast-feeding debate, to knowing the Baby Gear “Essentials,” MacPherson
becomes her readers’ friends and cheerleaders.
MacPherson carries on the soft
humor, compassion, and reality checks that were enjoyed in The Christian Mama’s Guide to Baby’s First Year. The second book is
more compact than the first, and MacPherson’s tone gives the reader a seamless
glide through the pages. It’s definitely not a rigid resource book; thus the
style does seem to be verbose at times, but if the book is approached as an
afternoon adventure then the style is right on. MacPherson does not rush
through her tips – she takes time to share her experiences and to write in a
pleasing narrative voice which makes this book so much more than a “guide.” It
is a place where moms can turn for grounded advice from a sister-in-Christ.
The book is well organized, and
because of how the Contents are outlined, it is easy to access just one or two
chapters for a second, third, or fourth reading. MacPherson’s Checklists, Top
Ten Lists, and “Time-Out for Mom” sections are helpful. Her groupings (in which
readers can certainly place themselves) of “Types of People You May Encounter
at the Park” was especially entertaining: “The Wheatgrass-Fed Organimommy,” “The
Frat Guy,” The Type A Supermommy,” “The Public-Displays-of-Adoration Couple,”
and more, are laughable and true enough – but her descriptions are even better.
Through her humor, MacPherson gently pushes her readers to take a good look at
their priorities and personas as moms.
MacPherson always brings her points
back to a spiritual ground, and as in her previous book she devotes a couple of
chapters to dads.
I recommend this book to other
readers.
The
publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through
BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.
