Customer Reviews

First-Time Mom

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is the first book I've bought while pregnant except for What to Expect When You're Expecting. The approach the author uses here is simple and laid back. Instead of telling you what to do and saying anything different is wrong, he pretty much deals with common sense and the fact that you really can't screw up your child, so stop stressing out about it. He states that all babies, like all pregnancies, are different and unique. Loving your child and bonding is important, yet comes only after bonding with your spouse and keeping your faith strong. I like how he says that too much preparation and worry over what products to use, how to feed, keeping to a schedule, is all unnecessary stress and doing what you feel is right is what is important. It is a great read and easy to follow. I feel a lot better already about bringing my baby into this world knowing I don't have to follow any plan or measure up to any other parent.

As a first time mom and a lover of all Dr. Leman's books, I found this book extremely helpful in putting my own quirky habits into perspective. Dr. Leman covers a lot of topics that are very pertinent to your new change of life. I realized I am a "normal" first-time mom. I also found it very helpful to hear from an experienced dad's(Dr. Leman's) point of view of what a new dad goes through and suggestions to new dads on how to help out. It has helped me understand myself, my husband's point of view, as well as what my new son needs and wants from his new parents! BRAVO Dr. Leman!

I was amazed at Dr. Leman's practical advice and took every bit to heart. For those who take things out of context I supposed it would seem chauvinistic. However, for those of us who listend closely to the entire text it was very helpful and I recommend and buy it for all the expectant firt-time moms I know!

(...)

The author is an expert on birth order and how it influences personality. Birth order, as the author describes, does not just refer to chronological birth order as the previous reviewer thought. Rather, the author describes several circumstances that can lead a child to behave like a first born (e.g. being the first of the gender in the household--whether it be male OR female child; being born more than 5 years after the next youngest sibling; etc.).

In addition to wonderfully practical advice on what to expect the first 10 days of motherhood, the first year, the toddler years, and pre-school years, the author brings new perspective to these issues when he incorporates his insight on how birth order--your child's and your own--influences your personality and approach to life. The author even gives sound advice on how to raise a child whose personality might "clash" with your own style.

I read this book in my last trimester. It saved my sanity when my child was born. Another friend just read it after her son turned 1 years old and she says she wish she had read it before he was born.

First of all, there are two things to know about this book. It is written from a Christian perspective, and it is written by a man. If that doesn't bother you then you may want to pick it up. The main reason I liked the book was the laid-back attitude the author encouraged. I felt he took the middle-ground on a lot of issues. He does believe that it is better for one of the parents to stay home with the kids so if you have a very strong opinion in the other direction you may not appreciate this book. He does say it could be either parent; it doesn't necessarily have to be the mom. This is a little more open-minded than others have been on that same subject.

One of the things that helped me in reading this book was that I had heard the author speak on a video before. He has a very dry-witted sense of humor. He says that kids can be little hedonists sometimes but he says that in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. If you don't know this going into the book some of the things he says could be offensive if you took them literally.

I felt that the author's attitude helped in being able to take the advice that worked for you and leave the rest. I've never read a parenting book that I've agreed with entirely but I appreciate the way that this was presented and felt I left with some good advice about parenting.

As a pediatric healthcare provider, I felt pretty confident in my mothering abilities before our son was born 2 1/2 months ago. However, I soon learned that actually being a real Mom stirred up new feelings & worries for me, especially about the nurturing, emotional aspects of parenting.

Kevin Leman's common sense approach was very reassuring to me as I re-read this book during the early weeks of new parenthood. I especially appreciate his emphasis that parenting is about a relationship - and a long-term relationship at that. So, do your best but don't worry about not being the perfect mother right off the bat (or ever, actually). He says,

"Parenting is about decades, not days. You're going to face exhaustion and stress for the immediate future, so if you don't take care of yourself, you're going to burn out. Taking a semi-breather for ten days won't damage your child's intellectual development, social adjustment, or personal esteem. Forget about all the `shoulds' of parenting, and just take time to rest and bond."

[Referring to the initial days of life at home with a newborn], "These are just the first few steps of the long journey of parenthood. If your child lives with you for eighteen years, you're going to have over 6,500 days to raise your child. The first ten days are literally the first step. No wise runner starts sprinting at the start of a marathon, so pace yourself."

I *highly* recommend this book to all new or about-to-become-new moms and dads!

A must read for all moms! Great at different stages as my oldest is 2 years old and we also have an 8 week old. This is a great go-to book and I highly recommend!!

I would recommend reading this over just about any other pregnancy/first baby book. In fact this is the only one I read all the way through. Dr. Leman does a good job laying out what a typical first born tends to be like and how you can parent specifically to those unique characteristics.

I think my title for this review pretty much sums it up. I may not agree with every single thing in this book, but after reading lots and lots and lots of parenting and child care books out there, I've learned that there are some things we have to decide on our own as parents. I think that the books make great guides, and this guide is a good one in particular. I read the author's Birth Order Book right after this and would recommend that as well.

I read this book while expecting my 2nd baby and got so much out of it even then! Dr. Leman has a way with words that it feels like he is speaking the words to you directly! His advice is so practical, his humor is witty, and even if you read this after your first child I can assure you that you will learn something. I highly recommend reading this book to give you the encouragement you need while planning and preparing for your little "hedonistic" bundle of joy!