The Rookie Mom's Handbook

May 29, 2008 | By | |

I recently had the opportunity to review a new book by Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss titled The Rookie Mom’s Handbook, 350 Activities to do with (and without!) your baby.

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About Shera

Shera is the owner and creator of A Frog In My Soup and started the blog in Sept. 2006 as a way to journal about her 6 sons. As they have grown, so has Shera's passion for writing and blogging, especially about motherhood and the crazy realities we encounter everyday. Feel free to subscribe to A Frog In My Soup, follow her on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Comments

  1. 1
    Colleen says:
    May 29, 2008 at 11:57 am
    Some of the things I tell new moms are:
    1. to join a playgroup even before your child is “playing” because you need mommy friends.
    2. Use an electric heating pad to warm up cold cribs before trying to put the baby down. (just remember to take the pad out)
    3. don’t try to buy everything the baby needs before he or she is born. You’ll just make yourself nuts and there’s always something unplanned that you’ll need.
  2. 2
    Tara R says:
    May 29, 2008 at 6:24 pm
    um… the best thing I can tell a new mom is to accept help when it is offered.
  3. 3
    Mandy says:
    May 29, 2008 at 8:50 pm
    Hmmm…my best new mom advise is don\’t forget that your baby didn\’t read the baby books, laugh as much as possible and take lots of pictures. The days may seem slow, but the years just fly by!
  4. 4
    michelle rosborough says:
    May 30, 2008 at 6:04 am
    Get some sleep whenever you can
  5. 5
    stampedwithgrace says:
    May 31, 2008 at 3:40 pm
    remember when you have your 2nd baby to still take pictures/video of your 1st baby because they won’t continue to be that size either :)
  6. 6
    Faye says:
    June 1, 2008 at 12:38 pm
    Having a baby takes up so much time so don’t forget to have alone time with Hubby….your marriage is as important and being a Mom.
  7. 7
    Laura says:
    June 2, 2008 at 9:49 am
    Buy the Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears. Also, enjoy every moment.
  8. 8
    Gina Stratos says:
    June 3, 2008 at 4:27 pm
    Don’t forget about yourself.
  9. 9
    Tanya Moyer says:
    June 3, 2008 at 4:58 pm
    I always tell new moms to sleep when the baby sleeps! Chores can wait!!! :o ) Also, take a ton of pictures during that time. Babies change so much over the first year!
    ~Tanya
    the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
  10. 10
    Eve says:
    June 3, 2008 at 9:28 pm
    My top tip: Remember, it will get easier! Sleep deprivation, first colds, spit-up, colic, teething, tantrums… this too shall pass. A close second is to ask well-meaning visitors to help out with housework or watch the baby for 10-15 minutes so you can take a much-needed shower!
  11. 11
    Elizabeth says:
    June 4, 2008 at 6:32 pm
    My only advice is \"this too shall pass.\" No matter what\’s making you pull your hair out this week will be long gone next week and one day you\’ll look back fondly on night wakings and bumps from crawling and so on.
  12. 12
    Kimberly Guenther says:
    June 6, 2008 at 12:22 pm
    My daughter n law needs this book please lol
  13. 13
    Penelope Marth says:
    June 6, 2008 at 3:41 pm
    As not yet a mom, I\’m trying to learn as much as possible and hoping.
  14. 14
    Suzie G says:
    June 6, 2008 at 7:46 pm
    Don’t buy newborn clothes. Most outfits rub the cord stump the wrong way, and they only fit for a week anyway.
  15. 15
    Deanne S says:
    June 6, 2008 at 8:25 pm
    Even Supermom needs a break, don’t feel guilty when you need one, you’ll be a better mom AFTER you’ve had one!
  16. 16
    Belinda A. says:
    June 6, 2008 at 9:40 pm
    In the beginning, just take things one day at a time and don’t listen to anyone who tells you to let your baby ‘cry it out’, that’s terrible advice. Pick them up and cuddle them, you are the center of their universe – feel privileged!
  17. 17
    Susan C says:
    June 7, 2008 at 10:10 am
    My new mom tip is to insist dad help! They are usually nervous but it is best in the long run-plus you’ll get time to shower.
  18. 18
    RobynL says:
    June 7, 2008 at 4:04 pm
    Almost everything can wait until later or the next day; baby needs attention and you must find out what works for him/her to be satisfied and comfy.
    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
  19. 19
    amira says:
    June 7, 2008 at 6:26 pm
    I dont have a suggestion, but my mom says let baby cry a little. lets em know who’s boss!
  20. 20
    Sarah M says:
    June 7, 2008 at 7:10 pm
    I’m not a mom (yet!) – but I’ve heard over and over, “just pick the baby up” and “enjoy him/her now; they’ll not be like this again.”
  21. 21
    Dr. Garnecki says:
    June 7, 2008 at 7:37 pm
    talk to your baby like he’s a person. he’ll respond, eventually, and you’ll really help to build the bond.
  22. 22
    Carla Pullum says:
    June 9, 2008 at 10:09 pm
    Parenting classes helped me!
  23. 23
    PsychMamma says:
    June 10, 2008 at 2:33 pm
    1. Always carry wipes
    2. Housework can usually wait – love and enjoy that baby
    3. Let go a little bit and let Daddy parent his own way (aka: don’t be bossy). There really is no one, right way and maybe he’ll have a trick up his sleeve that you didn’t know
    4. Just Tell Me What to Say is a great book for as they grow
    5. Don’t compare yourself or your baby to others. You are unique and wonderful.
    6. Visine eye drops work wonders after sleepless nights.
  24. 24
    Channah says:
    June 11, 2008 at 9:15 am
    Read to your baby! They love it!
  25. 25
    Stephanie says:
    June 11, 2008 at 2:25 pm
    New mom suggestion? Trust yourself and don’t take other people’s advice too seriously. For example, everyone “warned” me about letting my baby fall asleep while breastfeeding, but it ended up being the best thing for our family…
  26. 26
    Anne Taylor says:
    June 11, 2008 at 6:38 pm
    I would tell a new mom, to sleep whenever the baby sleeps and not to worry at all about housework!
  27. 27
    Kathryn says:
    June 11, 2008 at 10:11 pm
    I say..
    Let Daddy watch the new baby at least 1 x per week.. so he and the baby can get aquainted and give Mommy a very needed break. Notice I did not say baby sit. When it is your own child dad it is not called baby sitting… It worked for me….
  28. 28
    Brooke says:
    June 13, 2008 at 6:54 am
    “Nap when your baby naps.” Just kidding. I think it has to be to introduce the bottle at 2 weeks – 1x a day – if you’re breastfeeding.
  29. 29
    Amber Porter says:
    June 13, 2008 at 9:15 am
    Go out to eat and a movie without the baby for some couple time.
  30. 30
    Kathy Conley says:
    June 13, 2008 at 10:58 am
    Though it seems like diapers and not sleeping will last forever – it doesn’t – enjoy your baby time while your came.
  31. 31
    Jennifer says:
    June 13, 2008 at 2:21 pm
    Don\’t be afraid to ask for help!
  32. 32
    sarah woods says:
    July 11, 2008 at 5:42 pm
    1 let those beautiful seniors love and hug your baby; 2. give yourself every mroning a minimal of 5-20 minutes for meditation and reflection; 3. take granmothers advice not everyone wins the wars; chose which ones carefully for the battles are not always won by the parent/adult. Thanks SW.1.