It’s Mumday…The 5 Books that most helped me become a Mama

You are reading correctly… I didn’t spell it wrong…today is not Monday it’s Mumday. That is because around here on HealthKidsHappyMama.com, Mondays are when I talk about Mum Stuff.

Prior to having Children I was an avid reader…I loved me a good book that I just couldn’t put down. Somewhere along the way amidst the only being able to read 2 pages at a time and reading the same page over and over because it just wouldn’t go into my overstuffed brain, I lost my reading Mojo – but it is starting to come back a little now. I read a whole book over the weekend. That hasn’t happened for a Looong time. (it was The Mothers’ Group by Fiona Higgins)

When I first had children I read quite a few parenting books – as I imagine we all do. It was a way of finding out about other peoples ways of dealing with and managing their life now that they had kids. Some were great and some I wanted to send back to the author with a packet of matches (I’m looking at you Tizzie Hall).

Here are the 5 Books that I found the most useful in guiding me on my Parenting Journey

The Mask of Motherhood – Susan Maushart

This book landed in my hands at the library one day when I was browsing in the feminist theory section – and it landed at just the right time. I was angry about all of the things no one had told me about being a mum. I was validated by this book and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the world with my thoughts about how unfair it was that nobody can tell you these things until you have experienced it.

I don’t think that mothers-to-be should read this book – because you seriously can’t get it until you have had the baby and are into the first few months. But it is well worth a read if you are in the early days of parenting.

Simplicity Parenting – Kim John Payne

I read this book while I was pregnant with my second and it was so great to read about other people attempting to bring simplicity to their parenting and their children’s lives. It was great validation about the choices I had made to head towards a gently gently approach to parenting and I loved it.

Steady Days by Jaime C Martin

This book was another that winged its way into my life at just the right time. Just after I had returned to work with my first born I came across this book while trying to learn more about daily rhythm – and how other people do it. I was finding the balance between the days that I worked and the days I was at home really hard and this book taught me a lot. It has some great ideas in it – especially if you are a stay at home mum. Jaime also writes a blog.

The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule

Amanda Blake Soule is an inspirational Blogger and Mama to 5 little ones. She lives a simple life on a farm and practices self sufficiency. Her parenting style is gentle and calm and she is a great crafter. You can read her blog here.

The F Word by Jane Caro and Catherine Fox

Another gem I cam across in the feminist section of the library. This book is a great liturgy of the “Why we cannot have it all” argument – written by two very accomplished mums. It is well worth a read if you are at all interested in feminism.

I hope that you might be able to find something that i up your ally within this list. All of them had an impact on me for different reasons but all of them also had a role in informing my parenting choices and giving me the belief that what I was choosing to do was OK.

In reality – regardless of how you parent – your way is always going to be the right way – because it is the right way for you!

xxAndj