It Gets Easier! . . . And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers: A Fun, Practical Guide to Becoming a Mom [Paperback]

Claudine Wolk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2009

There is no question that being a mother is challenging, but this fun, frank, and prescriptive guide tries to do the impossible and make new motherhood easier. Featuring interviews with hundreds of moms and candid stories from author Claudine Wolk's own experiences as a mother, It Gets Easier!...and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers mixes humor, honesty, and insider strategies that will give new moms a "leg-up." This upbeat and entertaining book drives home the point that new moms are not alone and that there are things they can do to make motherhood a little more controllable and lot more enjoyable. It addresses such issues as: • "The Talk" you need to have with your husband before you give birth • what you really need to know about labor and delivery • the importance of a baby schedule (no matter what anyone else says) • the 6 Baby Commandments that can foster good eating and sleeping habits • 5 new mom mantras that will help keep you sane • body image after giving birth • how to keep housework to a minimum Complete with resources for further exploration and a helpful glossary, this funny, irreverent book will help ease every new mother's frustration.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…each chapter is packed with invaluable, uncensored advice on absolutely everything..a must for baby shower and new mom gifts.” -- Bookpage

“…written for all mothers. Whether pregnant...or a seasoned mom interested in hearing motherhood talked about REALISTICALLY, this book is great!” -- An Island Life

"Let me tell you, this book is a such a fun read! It is full of hilarious information, that can only be the truth.” -- My Organized Chaos

“Any mom--new or experienced--will enjoy Wolk's take on everything from managing sleep issues to making work ‘work’…laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking.” -- Cincinnati Parent

“…offers down-to-earth guidance on everything new mothers need to know…a ton of tips…to help ease the transition into parenthood.” -- Atlanta Parent

“…written by the mother of three, this book is full of humor and practical tips for surviving motherhood.” -- Foreword magazine

“With humor and compassion, Wolk is straightforward about how baby alters, but doesn’t have to completely transform, your life.” -- She Knows Pregnancy and Baby

“With its sass, blunt honesty and wit, “It Gets Easier!” reads more like a girlfriend’s insider secrets to adapting to life after becoming a new mom.” -- The Intelligencer

“It Gets Easier…and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers, is a breath of fresh air compared to many of the standard new mom/parenting books on the market.” --parentplace.com

Book Description

There is no question that being a mother is challenging, but this fun, frank, and prescriptive guide tries to do the impossible and make new motherhood easier. Featuring interviews with hundreds of moms and candid stories from author Claudine Wolk’s own experiences as a mother, It Gets Easier!...and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers mixes humor, honesty, and insider strategies that will give new moms a “leg-up.” This upbeat and entertaining book drives home the point that new moms are not alone and that there are things they can do to make motherhood a little more controllable and lot more enjoyable. It addresses such issues as:

• “The Talk” you need to have with your husband before you give birth

• what you really need to know about labor and delivery

• the importance of a baby schedule (no matter what anyone else says)

• the 6 Baby Commandments that can foster good eating and sleeping habits

• 5 new mom mantras that will help keep you sane

• body image after giving birth

• how to keep housework to a minimum

Complete with resources for further exploration and a helpful glossary, this funny, irreverent book will help ease every new mother’s frustration.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (June 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814415024
• ISBN-13: 978-0814415023
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,565 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Here's a bit about me, forgive the babble but thanks for the platform. In 2008, I self-published my first book, It Gets Easier! And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers. Being a new mom completely freaked me out, it was so much harder than I thought it would be. I worked hard to get honest, open advice from other moms as a new mom, especially about baby feeding schedules and baby sleeping schedules!

The information I got was so helpful, I felt I needed to share it, particularly the help on some of the other new mom issues: breastfeeding, body image, relationship issues, stay at home mom issues, working mom issues, finding fulfillment in life, etc. After my third child entered preschool, I started writing. With my Dad as editor, I published the book in 2008. The book sold so well it was picked up by an agent and then sold to AMACOM books - they released an expanded edition of the book in 2009. The book sells well on Amazon and has also been sold to publishers in Poland and Portugal.

I began blogging (Help4NewMoms)and speaking in 2008 to promote the book but also to simply reach new moms. The most fulfilling (and fun) part of this experience for me has been to meet with new moms. There is nothing more wonderful than to meet with new moms in person. I basically do a quick talk on helping moms find time for themselves, make them do a little dance, and visit for a while. It NEVER ceases to amaze me how many women essentially give up their own lives to care for children 24/7 with nary a desire of their own - it's fascinating - a miracle, really. For me to provide a bit of help to them is overwhelmingly fulfilling. As one mom told me, "Thanks for taking the time with us, for we are worth the effort!"

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, warm, and funny -- but not in a sickening way October 9, 2009

By J. Norkin

Format:Paperback

This book is one of the best I've seen on this subject. Part personal chronicle, part self-help, part baby book - it hits every mark. I wish books like this existed when my kids were born. One terrific thing about this book is how Wolk shares details of her own child-bearing and child-rearing experiences throughout, making it very clear that she's not some expert on high. She's in the trenches, engaged in the daily balancing act that being a woman and a mother entails. So she can relate -- and relate she does!

The first part of the book accurately covers the early days of motherhood, from labor to the first weeks at home. I can imagine many new mothers reading the book post-birth will wish they had the book before going into labor, because Wolk's tips on dealing with labor and delivery issues (pain management, breast feeding, nurses) are great.

The book then delves into the early days when mother and child are home, out of the cocoon of the hospital. Wolk's suggestions for getting baby on schedule and getting Mom back on her feet are excellent, but unlike some books of this type, she always digs deeper. She touches on the emotions (exhaustion, isolation and confusion) that women may experience and offers ideas for taking care of oneself physically and mentally. And it's not all sweetness and light. There are discussions on coping with challenging feelings, like being bored at home or wanting back pre-baby freedom and hating housework. I thought her discussions about how a baby can affect marital relationships were particularly insightful. And as she always does, she combines theory with practice. Her suggestions for co-parenting and marital issues (teamwork, scheduling, romance) are useful, witty, and wise.

In the latter parts of the book, when Wolk steps back to deal with the big picture, she really bats the ball out of the park. This section of the book offers the most accessible discussion of the psychological dimensions of motherhood that I have ever read. Wolk very astutely describes the conflicts many women experience when they become mothers. She handles sensitive topics, such as the shifting sense of identity and uncomfortable resentments over money, sex, and housework, with frankness and compassion. I loved it.

This is a great book for anyone interested in child-care, self-help, parenting, and women's issues.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The God's honest truth!! November 10, 2009

By Jeanne

Format:Paperback

Claudine Wolk's book reads so true to my motherhood experiences that I almost feel as if the writer is speaking directly to me about my life. I love that she ditches the current trend of vague guidelines, niceties and wishy-washy new age advice, (ie, feed on demand... never let a baby cry) and gets down and dirty offering the reader concrete solutions to the many challenges moms face.

This book takes away all the romance that we so often attribute to the concept of motherhood and replaces it with practical knowledge, so that we can truly be better moms and happier women. And that, my friends, is the real secret and beauty of motherhood -- striking a balance, and maintaining personal happiness so that when our little tikes reach milestones, we are rested enough and happy enough to appreciate and treasure them! And it is true that happy moms have happier children. So forget trying to maintain the perfect motherly facade... it's time to shatter that, get real and be truthful with ourselves and our peers. Parenting (and especially mothering) is hard work and this book shows us that it's time we started to help each other out so we can make it through successfully.

And hey ladies... when you are done reading this book, it might be a good idea to pass it along to your hubbies. If they really want to know how you feel, this book would certainly give them a clue.

PS: I am buying this book for every new mom I know. I started with my cousin and she loves the book as much as I do!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone expecting a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! September 1, 2009

By Claudine Drescher

Format:Paperback

if you are having a baby this book is a MUST READ BEFRORE

Honestly, I originally bought the book because I liked the title and I liked the author's name! ha,ha. I have a six year old daughter. I was looking for a book that would serve as a reminder as to what was ahead. I only wish I had bought it when I had my first daughter. Unfortunatley I was completely unprepared. With my first pregnancy I read books on labor, delievery and didn't know what to do or what life would be like with a new baby. This book really gave you the honest picture of what it is like to have a new born. What your life will feel like and how it changes in great detail. But best of all, it doesn't leave you hanging. Claudine gives you very practical suggestions of how to cope with your new baby and new life. Other books get very bogged down in details that are not practical and absolutely not helpful.
This book is HELPFUL! VERY HELPFUL! IT DOES NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!
I am so glad I read it, and now my husband is reading it.
I highly recommend this book for anyone having their first or second or third child.
I love that she offers a baby schedule, that she even gives you tips on how to keep your house clean and manage your life.
Claudine is realistic with our current lives. She even discusses such topics as working mom vs. stay at home mom.
Best of all you truly feel like you are talking with a friend and she is telling you the truth about what is to come after you give birth. The secrets, the answers and the experience.
I feel a lot more prepared and confident since reading this book.
Thanks Claudine!

My baby is now 7 months.
I am so grateful that I read Claudine's book. It truly helped me prepare for the new baby. I had forgot a lot. I am having a great experience with the new baby and a lot has to do with the helpful and useful information Claudine provides in her book. I actually have one of her charts on my bathroom mirror regarding feeding. Worth every penny and every minute. a true blessing.