For All Maternity: What They Didn't Tell Me About Marriage, Motherhood, and Having A Baby

by Emily Pardy

When should I start a family? Why do I want to become a mother? How will my life change after having a baby? It’s easy for questions like these to plague the mind of an already multi-tasking woman who just wants to shop for cute onesies.

In For All Maternity, Emily Pardy encourages newlyweds and would-be parents to ask the hard questions while humorously sharing her own tumultuous journey into motherhood. From sitting awkwardly in marriage counseling to learning how to breast-pump in the middle of the workday, her bumpy road to motherhood encounters lessons about body image, boundaries, and belief in a God who is more trustworthy than any baby book around. Includes practical and witty advice on subjects

· Are we ready to start a family? First steps for a baby
· The value of creating a Value System for our household
· To tell or not to tell
· Boy, oh boy, is that body a’changin’!
· Choosing a birth plan
· Expecting the unexpected
· The Unicorn Effect—the celebrity status of a pregnant woman
· Determining which postpartum feelings are normal
· To work or not to work
· How friendships change and mom-friends become a lifeline
· Never neglect your spiritual growth
· Making friends with your new a Jesus view
· The Selfish Scale
· How real is social media?
· Parenting, love, and logic
· Remembering What’ Dating Again!

This funny pregnancy book will have you laughing and crying as Pardy makes crystal clear from her own experience that when you have a baby you give birth to a new marriage, a new home design, a new schedule—and last but not least—new friendships.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2015

About the author

Emily Pardy is a 30-something writer living in Nashville, Tennessee. As a wife, mother of two, and full-time grad student pursuing her Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy, she completely understands the definition of busy. When she's not writing, she's probably over-thinking her next book or reheating her coffee for the millionth time.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing out loud! But it's also full of great advice. I really loved it. I plan to give it as a bridal shower gift even more than a baby shower gift, as it deals with early marriage and the decision whether or not to have children too.

I kept thinking of Erma Bombeck. Loved it!

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to the joys and struggles of first time parents. I now have a deeper understanding of all the ups and downs my friends with children have gone through. For All Maternity isn't just for newlyweds and expectant parents (though it does make an awesome gift!) It's also a book any single person can read to help them walk in the shoes of their friends and family. You'll come away with renewed awe for the moms in your life!

[T. Darlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for newlyweds and mom and dad to be!