Beth Kruger

I am reading a great book called The Year After Childbirth: Enjoying Your Body, Your Relationships, and Yourself in Your Baby’s First Year, by Sheila Kitzinger. I recently ordered several of her books online through Amazon, and this one, as many of the others, is published awhile ago, in 1994. The fact that it was published 15 years ago–(or 30 years ago, as some of the others were)–make it no less relevant today.

I was struck immediately at the tone presented in the book. Unapologetic, no excuses, and no holds barred reality. If you are not interested in being truthful with yourself then don’t bother to read this book.

I am not saying that she presents the universal truths about new motherhood in this book, but she does shed light on several feelings that many new mothers might experience. This makes it so valuable as a first read for new mothers in my opinion.

I think, and she even mentions in the first chapter, that advice is so often presented to the New Mother. This is often presented by people that are unsure of how else to acknowledge the enormity of the change that has happened to this woman in their lives.  She says the best thing to do when presented with so much advice is to pick two people, whom you trust, to seek advice from, no more.  And then to just smile and say “thank you” to the rest.  Very wise words I think.

So, I would suggest taking a look at this book, and finding something within that resonates with you.  Many of her words can be comforting to all kinds of mothers with different parenting styles.