The Little A to Z: A Companion for First-Time Mothers and Their Partners

(Paperback)

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Description

Early days of motherhood can be overwhelming. The initial weeks are fraught with a lack of confidence in parenting abilities, heightened by the absence of sleep. Once the multitude of visits die down, new mothers and their partners can slip into isolation, facing very real day-to-day problems of child rearing on their own. Parenting chat sites and blogs are becoming a popular source of information and community for some new parents. Yet, the plethora of information can inadvertently contribute to increases in stress. How, in this modern age, can new mothers and their partners nurture their own parenting confidence The Little A-Z is here to help. This curated, wholistic treasure trove of parenting advice is organized alphabetically with a tab system so that information is literally at your fingertips. It assumes that medical issues confronting you and your baby are not to be treated in isolation to personal questions of well-being, relationships, and going back to work. You will find tips, tricks, and advice on issues ranging from diaper rash to travel to negotiating reentry with your boss. Compiled from the author's own experience as a working mother, and complemented by input from friends across the globe, this book is a must-have for any new mother asking herself how to navigate childrearing, a career, and loving relationships in this busy, modern and highly digitized age of parenting.

Reviews

"Rachel's The Little A to Z is the perfect combination of advice and pep talk for new moms. I especially appreciate the fact that she's reached beyond traditional medical topics to address health and well-being in a holistic way--for mother, child and partner alike. If only this type of book had been around when I had my son!"
--Jamie McClean Image Consultant, Stylist, Author and Blogger

"As a doula, I thought I knew a lot about those first years after birth. But Rachel's The Little A to Z offers gems even for 'experts' like me. It's the kind of resource I wish I'd had access to when I had my son."
--Bridget Boland, Author of The Doula

"Faced with an endless sea of websites and books on how to be a good mother, I stopped reading all together. I was overwhelmed by the multitude of opinions that were stated as facts. I gave The Little A to Z a chance because I trusted the author, and I can't thank her enough for pulling together this easy to read resource for new mothers. It has just the right mix of anecdotes, useful lessons, and recommendations on reliable resources. The anecdotes are funny and easy to relate to. Some recommendations, like the nipple cream and remembering self-care (hello massages!), made my first months as a mom manageable. I would recommend to all new moms."
--Diana Arango Senior Gender-Based Violence Specialist at the World Bank

Author Bio

Following over a decade of working and living in sub-Saharan Africa, Rachel Perks moved to Washington DC in 2012. Shortly thereafter, she met her husband at a horse race in Virginia, at which point the biggest adventure of her life began: motherhood. Though her professional career has brought her to war zones and developing countries across the globe, motherhood has proven to be by far the riskiest yet most rewarding assignment shes ever accepted. The Little AZ is her response to the frequent feelings of overwhelm, isolation, and confusion she experienced as a foreigner navigating the early days of parenting in the nations capitol.