Blessingways: A Guide to Mother-Centered Baby Showers--Celebrating Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood [Paperback]

Shari Maser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004

This innovative guide to planning a personalized "mother shower" provides a blueprint for woman-to-woman support of expectant and new mothers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...filled with interesting, creative ideas on how to turn this special event into an even more special event! -- Alan Caruba, Bookviews.com, October 2004

A must-read, must-do for every pregnant family. -- Anna Kealoha, author of Songs of the Earth and Trust the Children

Blessingways is an...uplifting, meaningful guide to helping new mothers across a difficult yet fantastic journey. -- Small Press Bookwatch, October 2004

Blessingways shines forth a clear and loving light for all mothers-to-be who crave something deeper than a traditional baby shower. -- Jennifer Louden, author of The Pregnant Woman's Comfort Book

Pregnancy Parties: For a fresh, mother-focused take on baby showers, check out the creative party ideas in Blessingways. -- Working Mother, November 2005

This nurturing guide is like a warm, welcoming embrace. -- Andrea Alban Gosline, author of Celebrating Motherhood, the Mother's Nature Calm and Confidence cards, and Little Moments of Peace

From the Inside Flap

Blessingways are celebrations of pregnant and adoptive women and their transition into motherhood. These special mother-centered gatherings offer friends and family a fresh approach to honoring, supporting, nurturing, and encouraging mothers-to-be.

Blessingways: A Guide to Mother-Centered Baby Showers features: step-by-step guide to planning a personalized "mother shower"; imaginative invitation ideas; unique Blessingway celebrations; inspiring stories and comments from women who have participated in Blessingways; and creative suggestions for including men and children.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Moondance Pr (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975455176
• ISBN-13: 978-0975455173
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A woman-centered celebration October 30, 2004

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Blessingways: A Guide to Mother-Centered Baby Showers is a resource especially for planning and hosting Blessingway baby showers that foster a bond of community, support and connectedness for the mother-to-be. The distinguishing feature of a Blessingway baby shower is that it is a woman-centered celebration, that especially focuses upon the strength, beauty, and metamorphosis of the female powers of the expectant mother, rather than the more typical baby-centered parties used to accumulate goods for the newborn. Blessingways outlines how to plan and host a mother-centered bonding, rituals such as music, evocations, grooming actions including hairbrushing, headwreaths, and belly art, sharing circles, reaching out across long distance, and much more. Notes on Blessingway variations in response to adoption or grieving the loss of a baby are also included. Black-and-white illustrations and simple music for the songs that can be sung round out this uplifting, meaningful guide to helping new mothers across a difficult yet fantastic journey.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book For Those Who Appreciate the Beauty of Pregnancy October 6, 2004

By Christine Johnson D'amico

Format:Paperback

Here is a wonderful tool for planning a really personalized baby shower! This book is great for those wanting to plan a different kind of baby-shower for the pregnant woman in your life. It has so many wonderful ideas and suggestions to make any baby related event meaningful and fun for all involved. It is easy to follow, engaging and fun to look at, and filled with suggestions you can draw from. I have even modified ideas from this book to create an event around other life changes such as for a friend who was moving away and a graduation of a daughter. It really has a lot to offer.

The book also makes a great gift for a pregnant woman. Blessingways is packed with great ideas which a pregnant woman may want to take advantage of on her own. Pregnancy is such a short time and I tell the pregnant women I work with to be intentional about what they want from these 9 months. This book is a great place to go to get some ideas to be sure you make the most of your nine months pregnant with this child.

Finally the book is a good resource for professionals who work with pregnant and expecting couples, providing them with ideas on small touches they could add to their services which would enhance a couple's experience. I highly recommend it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Blessingways" builds sisterhood and honors motherhood September 16, 2004

By Sister Sister

Format:Paperback

Not only does Maser inspire us to create beautiful, personalized ceremony for our pregnant friends and family, she writes about the process with wisdom and simplicity. I bought "Blessingways" to give as a gift, but found myself reading it diligently. I am not pregnant, nor do I have close friends or family who are expecting; and yet I was engaged entirely by the history, stories and creative suggestions included in this wonderful book. Every woman should own a copy of "Blessingways", and every woman should consider offering the incredible gift of a blessingway to her loved ones.