beyond baby :: book review

One of the most common baby gifts I give isn’t even for the baby; it’s for the mama! And it’s a copy of The Happiest Mom by author Meagan Francis. As a mom of 4, I often get asked about little tips and tricks I use to help life run a little more smoothly and The Happiest Mom book talked about so many of those same things. Also? For what it’s worth, The Happiest Mom the only parenting book I’ve read from cover to cover and keep coming back to over and over again.

Even though I love that book, I’ve found myself referencing it less and less as my children get older. So when Meagan first started talking about the idea of planning something for moms who were moving out of “the trenches” of early motherhood, I was really intrigued. And I was not disappointed with her newest book, Beyond Baby. She’s taken all the info you need to help jump start you out of “let’s just survive” mode. And if you’ve already started figuring that out on your own? There’s still plenty of good information to help guide you through this pretty huge step that many people forget about – like the day you realized that you were a diaper-free home (especially after nearly 10 years of diapers). That’s HUGE! But not something that really gets celebrated. Or what about, as Meagan mentions, when you realize that all these baby toys in your living room? Nobody plays with them. I’ll admit that I did a happy dance when I was finally convinced that we were done with diapers, but when I gave away all of my slings? Oof. It really is quite bittersweet, this stage. I love sleeping through the night, but I do miss the quiet of a late night feeding. I love being able to drop my kids off with little more than a wave, but I miss being the only one they wanted, the center of their universe. I love going to the bathroom alone, but…yeah…nope. That part is pretty much just sweet.If you’re here, too, (or maybe just getting close!) then Beyond Baby is for you! It’s broken down in to 40 weeks (sound familiar?) of projects (with real, practical “how-to”s) that you can use to help yourself refocus, get past the baby brain, and rediscover who you are when someone’s not grabbing on to your leg  as you walk across the room or spitting on your shoulder. Don’t throw up your guard just because I used the word projects. It’s painless, I promise! The first time I read the book, I did a fast read of the whole thing. I’ve since started going back and working on one week at a time and it’s even more manageable than I thought it would be! She starts by helping you just be you, take time to remember what you enjoy. And then not only remember those things that make you happy, but then make those things happen! After you’ve gotten yourself in the “Beyond Baby” mindset, Meagan helps you tackle your house. This is the one I was most worried about when I first saw the table of contents. My house isn’t exactly an oasis of calm and goodness. It’s more like a whirlwind of chaos and confusion, but Meagan offers simple, practical steps to help you get your house in order. Then it’s on to your physical self. Get that mole checked, sister! And get a new bra! Oh! And go.to.bed. (Oops! I obviously haven’t mastered that one yet). The next eight weeks are more about reconnecting with others. “Mom friends” are great, don’t get me wrong! But remember that one friend from your pre-kid days that you haven’t talked to in ages? Call her up! And then finally, she helps you look forward by helping you define what it is that you actually want…and then how to go about finding it.

I love that this book is so user-friendly, just like The Happiest Mom. And even though people don’t usually have “beyond baby showers” (though maybe we should!), this will still be a book that I buy for friends. With Meagan’s practical suggestions, she makes it easy to take things step-by-step to really define what you want your life to be like now that it’s not so baby-centric.

Oh! And guess what? If you buy the book, you can get the Beyond Baby Workbook for free! I love a good workbook, don’t you?

beyond baby book {plus bonus workbook}:: $7.99 on Amazon

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p.s. quick confession: i may or may not still have my ergo “just in case”. anybody have a baby they’d be willing to let me wear?