Customer Reviews

The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality and What Really Matters

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There are a zillion parenting books out there, but this is one you should buy. It's a great mix of stories from real expectant and new parents - not just the cheery ones who claim everything is perfect! - and research on issues that arise when you're becoming a parent. It's fun to read about people's expectations going into parenthood, and then the reality of their "journeys to parenthood." A great read for expectant/new parents and the professionals (OB/GYN's, therapists, birthing coaches) who deal with them.

I read about the Journey to Parenthood on UrbanBaby and I love this book. It's like group therapy for expectant and new parents. People can commiserate and celebrate as they read anecdotes from the dozens of couples interviewed for the book. These couples share the good, the bad and the honest about the journey to parenthood. Balber and Barnes interviewed parents from various races, religions and socioeconomic statuses, including ad execs, bankers, CPA's, a massage therapist, an actor and small business owners. Includes the most up-to-date research available on kids and marriage, sex before and after pregnancy, body image issues during and after pregnancy, and postpartum depression. In short, this book talks about "what really matters" and helps you take a breather from all of the parenting hype.

Bugaboo stroller, $800. Designer diaper bag, $400. Cost of raising a kid before he gets to college, $250,000. Journey to Parenthood book, $40. Value of that book, priceless. OK, enough with the MasterCard commercial. But in all seriousness, if you're going to spend a lot of money on baby gear, why not invest in a book that can make the transition to parenthood easier and more enjoyable? This book is a great investment. It won't get your baby to sleep through the night, but it can help you to think about issues that can be stressful and upsetting during pregnancy and new parenthood - marital tension (bickering, sex) , body image issues, identity issues (seeing yourself as a parent, spouse, professional), changes in your family life and routine. And if you can wrap your head around this stuff, you can deal a little better with the sleepless nights.

Journey to Parenthood is a responsible work of unbiased, interpreted research that presents a comprehensible guide to the psychological aspects of pregnancy for all partners involved. So often these all too important aspects are merely glossed over in pregnancy books. If you're expecting or are thinking of having children, read this book because mental preparation is more important than prepartion of the nursery for both you and your child.

This book is chock-full of all the information expectant parents will want (and should know) before baby comes. This book reassures soon-to-be parents that everything they're experiencing and feeling is completely normal - despite whatever else you may hear or read. And this is very comforting, since childbirth and parenting are so different for everyone. I highly recommend this book for anyone planning to have kids!!

This book should be required reading for all expectant parents. It answered so many of my questions and addressed many issues that every parent faces.

I've read dozens of parenting books over the years, and this is one of the best. What I like about this book is it focuses on parents-- not just children. It gives an honest appraisal of how couples REALLY feel about becoming parents. It's the norm these days for expectant parents to spend the prenatal period focusing on decorating the nursery. But even more important should be the psychological preparation for such a huge change in their lives. Barnes and Balber have tremendous insight into what it really means to become a mother or father.

I loved this book! anyone having a baby, or had a baby, this book gives an insightful look into the reality of parenthood. I would definitely highly recommend this book.