Writing Motherhood

I was contacted a while back and asked if I would be interested in reviewing the book Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues. The woman who contacted me was a student of one of Lisa’s classes and the information she shared with me was intriguing so I agreed.

Delays in shipping happened and I had actually forgotten about the book completely. Then on my boys’ last day of school this year it arrived. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book, so when I opened it and found that the very first step in Becoming a Writing Mother tells us to “Throw Away the Rules”, I simply couldn’t put it down. You know, all the rules we were taught for all those years in school. The very rules that so many would-be-great writers stop before they have even begun. The rules that cramp them and throw them in a box … yes, those rules … just throw them out and write.

That got the whole book off to a good start for me! I’m a bit of a stickler for grammar because I grew up simply loving English and read books like crazy so it comes naturally to me. But since I edit a great variety of articles for various websites and columns, I know how daunting it can be to feel like you measure up or are “good enough”. Let me just say right here and now that in my opinion some of the best writers are the ones who have given up on putting pen to paper simply because of spelling and grammar hangups.

Moving on though LOL! This book takes you step by step and chapter by chapter through writing lessons, thoughts, tips and strategies. The idea basically is to write every single day, not online, using pen and paper. I couldn’t agree more.

Surprised? Although I share a lot of thoughts and tips and life happenings at A Frog In My Soup, it is not exactly an open book. I can’t share everything there, I can’t record everything that way, I would bore all of you absolutely to death! So, I agree, one page per day in your Mother Notebook is a great thing.

If you love to write … even if you’ve incurred hangups over the years … get this book! I truly recommend that you read it and be ENCOURAGED in your writing or even just to get started. I related to so many of the things Lisa shared in Part One of the book I was surprised to find myself getting emotional so many times. If you decide to get it let me know what you think .

Parenting Zoo

Ever feel like you live in a zoo?  Wish your kids came with a manual?  Need a Tool Box for parenting?  Well, you’re in luck!  I just stumbled on a fun new site for parents called the Parenting Zoo!

I am what many call a seasoned or veteran mom – in other words I’ve been doing this whole mothering thing for a while now and with as many boys as I have, people assume I have it all figured out.  I will tell you here and now that is not the case!  In fact I strongly believe, and mention often, that the more children you have, the more you realize how little you know and how wonderful it is to find great resources.

I was thrilled with the activities and ideas offered at The Parenting Zoo! I am always needing great activities, coloring pages, and even resources for me, so I love what they have to offer – a Parenting Toolbox.  This site is particularly for parents of Preschoolers and Toddlers.  When you sign up for the Parenting Zoo Toolbox you get tons of educational resources and activities to do with your child to teach them their abc’s, and an entire parenting library including resources on parenting, potty training, helping your children sleep, meal planning and much much more.

Here’s the fantastic part … The Parenting Zoo Toolbox only costs $10 for all of that and you get plenty of extras!  As you can tell, I’m very excited about this resource because I know you will be too!  Feeling desperate for good activities to do with your children and overwhelmed when they are bored is NOT where I like to see any mom get to!  So I encourage you to hop on over and give it a try – I know you’ll be glad you did!