I have been an avid reader since I was a child. I read constantly about many topics. When I became pregnant with my daughter in 2018, I immediately ordered every book I could find about pregnancy and babies (seriously, if you need to borrow one – I have a library!). Many were informative, others were fun, and a few did not resonate, but a couple have stayed on my mind over the years.
Here are the five books that changed my motherhood experience and had the biggest impact:
A colleague of mine recommended this book, and it was a game-changer during my pregnancy. It helped me quite a bit in my decision-making process during my pregnancies, and more importantly, reminded me to nurture myself during this special and important time.
Expecting Better by Emily Oster
I have long loved everything science and have developed a stronger interest in economics over the years. This book bridges both, while looking closely at pregnancy and motherhood. Written from the perspective of an economist who was obsessed with understanding the real data behind many experiences women have during pregnancy, birth, and beyond – this was a judgment-free tool to learn from and make my own informed decisions. I have to sneak in a recommendation for her second book, Crib Sheet, which goes further into the life of a young child and the associated decisions a parent may need to make.
How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn
I must start with a confession – I read this book before I was pregnant or even thinking about having kids. Again, I read everything I can get my hands on, and I like to be ahead of the game! It was a real, raw look at the early days of motherhood, intending to try to understand what the experience was like from a husband’s perspective. It offers a close look at marriage and how to support each other during those early days – which can be incredibly trying, even for the strongest marriages. This was a really good read.
The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody
This book is written for moms who are returning to work, in what the author coins as The Fifth Trimester (which comes after The Fourth Trimester – also an awesome book). The friend who recommended this to me encouraged me to read it about two weeks before returning to work, and no sooner. That was the just right timing, and I now encourage other moms to do the same. This book gave me the right amount of encouragement, practical tips, and hope that I could figure out how to return to work as a newly minted working mom.
Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
This book. This book! The Fair Play method has been a game-changer for so many marriages. The premise of the book, and the process behind it, is to make the invisible labor that so many moms carry, more visible. The goal is to move towards a more equitable marriage, by using a process that enables couples to clearly delineate responsibilities, hold each other accountable, and have more time and space for the things that matter. The accompanying card deck is also a helpful tool, which I highly recommend.
While I could list so many more books, these have been the biggest game-changers for me. What books have had the biggest impact on your motherhood experience? Share them with us in the comments or by tagging @CentralMassMom!
