Author Description

This is not your typical child-rearing book. We have used a "no-holds-barred" approach to cover real-life mom concerns.From moms who have "been there and done that," sharing the collective wisdom and experiences of 185 (plus) years of mothering, with a touch of wackiness essential for every mother. For moms (and dads) who are wondering if they'll survive their three-year-olds, ever go to the bathroom alone again, or figure out why a preschooler had a sock in his lunchbox instead of a napkin.This book is the compilation of emails from 12 moms sharing more than just practical advice; the messages contain humor, the foibles of being a mom, and the confidence that you can trust your instincts more often than you think.When Gail Goldman gave birth to her first baby, Lizzie, the new mom turned to her aunts and cousins for advice and answers. Nine moms, with different experiences, ideas, and ways of mothering, became a "virtual village of wise women" to support Gail through emails as she navigated the tricky, and sometimes scary, first year of her baby's life. As we exchanged ideas and questions, we soon found that we were doing more than help Gail; we were supporting each other as mothers and women.Over the course of the next four years, the "village" grew, adding three more pregnant daughters, and five new babies, as well as Gail's second daughter, Lexi. Today, the village includes five sisters, who survived raising seventeen children, and seven younger women (their daughters, step-daughter and daughter-in-law) currently engaged in the 24/7 parenting of seventeen kids. Together, we have covered the gamut of opinions, philosophies and experiences with childbearing and rearing. No subject has been "off limits" (although we might not identify certain spouses) and no mothering concerns are too trivial or too difficult for our discussions. We also don't always agree with each other, especially on the subject of home birth, but we do respect each other and value each other as