Title: Stop and Smell Your Children: Laugh and Enjoy the Little Years
Author: Leah Spina
Overview:
If you are in the early years of motherhood with little ones at home, this book is for you. Author Leah Spina takes readers on a humorous tour through the normal stages and learning experiences of parenting, including pregnancy, birth, sleepless nights, potty training, etc. The book feels like a conversation with a friend who shares her best and funniest motherhood tales–at times I found myself laughing out loud. And woven through it all, she invites you to reflect and examine how you can “stop and smell” your children more.
Best Part:
There were so many times while reading this book that I thought, “Exactly!” It was refreshing to hear stories from someone in the exact stage of motherhood I am. She doesn’t sugar coat anything—often revealing her biggest challenges. It felt good to know that I’m not the only one who has struggled with these things.
One of the most poignant parts of the book is her description of going through a miscarriage. The result of her pain and loss was an increased desire to treasure every moment with her children. It was a turning point in her life that changed her forever and a very moving part of the book.
How this book influenced me as a mother:
This book gave me great ideas about how I can I incorporate love rituals into my daily routine. I loved her ideas to kiss your children every time you buckle them in their car seats, to have reading time right after breakfast, and to make diaper changes an opportunity for connection and bonding. It’s easy to say you should “stop and smell your children,” but I liked that Spina actually gave concrete ideas about how to accomplish this as well. This book inspired me to really treasure these “diaper blizzard” years, as she calls them.
Power of Moms is an Amazon Affiliate. We only promote books we love, and any purchases through our link will help support Power of Moms. Thanks!