Chicago Moms Blog

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok: A SV Moms Group Book Club

Transplanted from Hong Kong to New York City as a (very poor) young girl with her mother, Ah-Kim or Kimberley, struggled to make things better for her family, to learn English, to walk the line between traditional Chinese duties and the Americanized teenager she grew into. Join us today as we discuss the book Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors ave to say today, all inspired by the book Girl in Translation:

• Marinka from Motherhood in NYC tells her immigration story in America, Baby
• Pamela from 2 Much Testosterone felt empowered
• Emily from Mama Sick has hope for her son
• Sharon from Channeling Ricky recognizes her own childhood embarrassment
• Vanessa from Chefdruck Musings goes for a taste of America
• April from It's All About Balance is a girl in gratitude
• Emily Paster from West of the Loop examines secrets below the surface
• Melanie from tales from the crib just wanted to fit in
• Elena from Cara Mamma reflects on dreaming big
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs has aunts just like Aunt Paula
• Alma from Marketing Mommy had culture shock
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine was moved by the reality of immigrants who come to the U.S. for a "better" life
• Rox from Rox and Roll has thoughts about honor
• Julie from Just Precious opens her eyes in her own neighborhood
• Jen B from Anybody Want A Peanut? tries to translate autism

Silicon Valley Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please leave a comment here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali
• The Body Scoop for Girls by Dr. Jennifer Ashton
• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, Editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine
• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali: A SV Moms Group Book Club

Married as a child into an abusive relationship in Yemen, this little girl had the strength to escape and demand a divorce. Interviewed by the New York Times over Skype, Nujood Ali, who does not speak English and worked with a French co-author to write her memoir, I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced, tells her powerful story of becoming a child bride. It is a story that is, unfortunately, not just hers. Join us today as we discuss the book I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali, with Delphine Minoui.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors have to say today, all inspired by the book I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced:

• Tiffany from Lattes and Life wishes we all had a little of Nujood in us
• Grace from Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester was motivated to look up more into the practice of child brides in Yemen
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs hopes other women can pull together the strength to reclaim their life and happiness
• Kara-Noel from Eli's Lids: The Blog points out that Yemen is not the only place where 9-year-olds are on display
• Sarah from The Travel Mommy considers when honor is at stake
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom says that getting married at nine is like getting married at four
  
• Garima from Mommy In Making determines that something can be done about it...it starts with education
  
• Sharon from Channeling Ricky examines everyday bravery
• Jen from Anybody Want A Peanut? asks what is hope?
• Bay from Queen Mother Blog thinks this book should be fast-tracked to high school reading lists
• Cheryl from SpecialSauce in the House views home as a springboard
• Jennifer Z. from Dirty Little Secret says that many divorced people deserve a party grander than their weddings
• Kristine from Mommy Needs therapy or a Bottle of Wine is given a book, a co-worker and some perspective
• Melissa from Peanut Butter in my Hair shares lessons from Nujood
• Helen P from I Want a Book Deal hopes it’s not for nought
• Melanie from tales from the crib talk to her kids about "when I grow up..."
• Michelle from Honest & Truly! examines childhood scars
• Julie from Just Precious thinks about honor and family
• Jill from Musings from Me on Kids, Preteens, and Teens reads the line "one less mouth to feed"
• Lisa from blog on the wall is in awe of this little girl
• Torie from Manhattan:  For Better or Worse is thinking independently
• Michelle from Wife and Mommy asks how old were you?
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom "confesses" that she was married and divorced
• Janelle from Mama Daisy is looking through a mommy lens
• Zoeyjane from Raising Zoeyjane has a disclosure: how much is too much?
• Linsey from Me Too You examines her other mother fantasies

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please leave a comment here join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• The Body Scoop for Girls by Dr. Jennifer Ashton
• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, Editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine
• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

The Body Scoop for Girls by Dr. Jennifer Ashton: A SV Moms Group Book Club

What questions do teen girls have that they are embarrassed to ask? Who will they be asking? And what answers will they receive? Knowledge is power - why not give our daughters some of that? Join us today as we discuss the book The Body Scoop for Girls by Jennifer Ashton, M.D., Ob-Gyn with Christine Larson.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors have to say today, all inspired by the book The Body Scoop for Girls:

• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology says that teen girls today have more pressure, yet also more resources
• April from It's All About Balance sees that these girls, they are a'changing
• Lisa from Grandma's Briefs has no talk here
• Michele Spring Fajeau from ReadOutLoud advises to "just say know"
• FireMom from Stop, Drop & Blog reviews The Body Scoop for Girls
• Nancy from From Hip to Housewife asks when is puberty ed a bit too ed-ucational?
• Eileen from The Breezeway gets emotional about the future
• Amy from Occupation: Mommy is giving her girls the scoop
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus talks hormones with the girl
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom explain that girls have xxx and boys have yyy
• Roxane from Rox and Roll has a confession to make
• Rachel E. Ayers from A Little Each Day is doing a little advance planning, since her daughter is only 15...weeks old
• Melissa from Life with Sophia states that it's not a vagina, people
• Dannie from DannieSpeaks thinks it's ok to have a guide
• Vanessa from Chefdruck Musings talks about the birds and the bees at home
  

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, Editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine
• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

A SV Moms Group Book Club: Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, editor of REAL SIMPLE

While many of us moms don't want to engage in the debate about whether to be a working mom or a stay-at-home mom...or somewhere in between, it is a topic we often talk about. Do you miss out on things in your children's lives if you decide to be a working mom? Are working moms more crazy and stressed? Oh, it depends on your perspective, of course. Join us today as we discuss the book Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom by Kristin van Ogtrop, editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine.

In addition to the posts below, SV Moms Group bloggers have had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with Kristin van Ogtrop during her book tour. Some of us caught up with her in Chicago, when we were there for our Chicago Moms Blog brand/blogger event and when Kristin was there for REAL SIMPLE's 10th anniversary party. Then a few of the Silicon Valley Moms Blog bloggers were invited to join Kristin van Ogtrop for lunch in Palo Alto, California last week. A leisurely lunch in the California sunshine was certainly not any of our usual happenings and we thoroughly enjoyed it...although we then all had to rush off to the next appointment, to school pickup, to conference calls, to blog about socks with large holes in them strewn all over our houses. To top it off, Kristin joined the entire network of SV Moms Group bloggers on a conference call to talk about her book, whether 21st century mothers live in a state of ambivalence and/or guilt, how to be happy with your choice, the fact that many of us are lucky to HAVE choices...oh, the conversation could have gone on and on. But, of course, it was time to hang up and get back to the chaos.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors have to say today, all inspired by the book Just Let Me Lie Down:

• Anna Grace from Chicago Moms Blog leads us off, defining balance: that ubiquitous and frustratingly vague state of equilibrium, when all the parts of your life are working in perfect harmony
• Emily from West of the Loop asks: Is ambivalence the default state of mind for a twenty-first century mother?
• Melissa from Life with Sophia examines the definition of "benign neglect"
• Lisa from Grandma's Briefs enunciates the love
• Jennifer from Ramblings of a Semi-Conscious Mastermind Mommy asks to work or not to work?
• Zoeyjane from Mommy is Moody waxes poetic on little boxes made of ticky tacky
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus has green, green grass
• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology educates us about popular sayings moms use and what they mean
• Melanie from tales from the crib reminds us that if mama aint happy, aint nobody happy
• Rebecca from Life With Boys has a favorite line from this book: "Pie Chart of You"
• Joan from Just The Right Things read a whole book!
• Garima from Mommy In Making is thinking of simple things
• Evonne from Arlington Mama determines that magical thinking is not just for preschoolers
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine asks whether the mother of a special needs child should have a career
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs calls their bluff, among other things
• Eunice from Random Walk Down Mommy Street lists the top ten reasons she is a bad mom
• Sue from Laundry for Six thinks this is the best title ever
• Grace Duffy from Formerly Gracie confesses that it's not that she doesn't love her kids, but...
• Meghan Harvey from Meg's Idle Chatter discusses love and laughter
• Stacy from Laptop TV Mom has "corporate seepage" in her house
• Linsey from Me Too You has a guilt factor

Chicago Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please leave a comment below to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
  
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
  
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

Balance: That ubiquitous and frustratingly vague state of equilibrium, when all the parts of your life are working in perfect harmony.

Balance. Ha! Does anyone really have this? This seemingly unreachable yet desperately sought after state of being that everyone else seems to have and the rest of us seem hopelessly unable to achieve. I don't think so. Not for more than five minutes, anyway. Because as soon as you declare to yourself, "Wonderful, my life is finally balanced!" the school calls to tell you that one of your children has been wiping boogers on their classmates or  your best friend calls and wants to know why you never have time for her anymore or you boss calls you into her office to let you know that you need to realize  that  all those early nights you've taken to attend your daughter's Little League games are affecting your work. Balance is a myth. Balance is a cruel peak on a high, remote mountain that beckons you to climb toward it, then mysteriously fades into the clouds, just as you think you've reached the summit.

Take my life, for example. Do I have balance? What would that look like, anyway? I am writing this lead-in, at 10:30 p.m. central time, where I currently find myself, while at my brother's house in Minnesota for my sister's wedding. Yesterday I was in Milwaukee, WI, where I live and run Anna Grace Photography when I am not traveling, hastily unpacking my suitcase, washing my clothes and repacking for a five day trip. The day before that I was in Northern California, working with clients, photographing their families for my studio in Los Gatos, and catching a plane back to my "peaceful" life. Last night, while driving the 500 miles from Milwaukee to my hometown, I tried to work on my laptop, to finish up some work I promised a client. All the while I was fielding requests from my four-year-old, listening to the chatter of my teenager and trying to decipher the drama coming from the two school-agers sharing the back seat. Today, I knew I needed to write this article. But I also knew that I needed to go shopping for some wedding clothes, since the 24-hour tour at home left the packing to my husband, who forgot to bring appropriate clothing. I needed to shop for a baby gift for the shower that was squeezed into this family affair and my father wanted me to look over his photographic lighting set up for a work project. Once I'd run from one thing to the next and finally settled myself in my brother's living room to visit with my siblings, I realized that I needed to get myself down to my laptop to write this. Does that sound balanced?

I wish I could say that 

National Geographic's Green Guide for Families: A SV Moms Group Book Club

Earth Day IS every day, especially when you have a family - as families, our impact can be felt more, we tend to consumer more, and there is the very real fact that we are raising the next generation that will have to live in this world. The practical questions: What kind of diapers to use? What kind of products to clean and feed your kids and home? How can your family can "Go Green" together? Join us today as we discuss the book National Geographic Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella. 

Special thanks to Nancy Friedman from New York City Moms Blog, who sourced this book club for us!

• Michele from ReadOutLoud thinks every day should be Earth Day
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom is greening her family's lifestyle
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus says it's not easy being green
• Leticia from Tech Savvy Mama lists ways to be more green with your technology this year
• Sophia Leto from Moody Mommy thinks about how to live a healthy life
• Julie from Just Precious's visits to the farmer's market helps her children to make healthy green choices
• April from It's All About Balance is eating green and healthy
• Maxine from The french Mommy born in California is raising an enviro-radical...or just little Margo
• Linsey from Me Too You has a green birthday party coming right up
  
• Caitlin from A Hen and Two (Now Three) Chicks is loving this reference guide
• Eunice from Random Walk Down Mommy Street has ants that go marching one-by-one
• Kristie from Real Mommy Reviews is taking an active role in being kind to our earth
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs wishes it was easier being green
• Paige from Canning with Kids likes "green on a shoestring" tips
• Stacy from Laptop Television Mom was reminded that being green is more than common sense
• Stacy from Fabulous Miss S. watched Food, Inc. and read this book all in the same weekend, so is feeling like living a bit healthier
• Roxane from Rox and Roll refuses to leave her kids with an Earth dirtier than the ones her parents left her
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom thinks about her grandmothers and shades of green
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom is going on a greener vacation
  

Silicon Valley Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to leave a comment below to join in the discussion.

Author Catherine Zandonella also answered a couple of questions for SV Moms Group bloggers. If you have a question, please leave it in the comments below. 

Question: It’s easy to recycle (or even forgo) the plastic bags from the market.  How do you handle the endless sandwich, snack, veggie and bread bags?  Can these be recycled even if used and peppered with crumbs or peanut butter?  (I’ve already reduced the plastic bag use by choosing reusable containers for earth911.com or www.plasticbagrecycling.org. (California state law requires that stores collect plastic carryout bags for lunches, but we still use too many baggies.)

Answer: Many types of plastic bags can be recycled. These include newspaper bags, produce bags, bread bags, and "zip lock" bags (remove zipper first) can be recycled. You can find locations that will accept plastic bags at recycling, but you'll have to check with the retailer to see if they also accept other types of bags.) www.plasticbagrecycling.org site has a list of the types of plastic bags and plastic wrappers that can be recycled. In addition to the plastic bags listed above, you can also recycle plastic dry cleaning bags and plastic wrap on furniture and other purchased goods such as paper towels, napkins, and diapers. See the web site for a full list.

Plastics that CANNOT be recycled, according to www.plasticbagrecycling.org, are:

• food or cling wrap
• prepackaged food bags including frozen food bags (e.g., prewashed salad bags)
• film that has been painted or has excessive glue
• other bags or films
• bio-based or compostable plastic bags

Make sure all bags are clean and dry before you recycle them!

Question: Our family swing set sits atop a blanket of recycled tire rubber.  Until reading the Green Guide, we thought it was the best choice (environmentally & economically).  Should we immediately swap out the rubber mulch for a natural wood product?  If so, how should we dispose it?  Can the rubber mulch be placed in the recycling container?

Answer: Tire disposal is regulated on a state by state basis, and you will have to contact your state's department of environmental protection or waste management board to find out what to do with the rubber mulch. In California, you might start with CalRecycle: www.calrecycle.ca.gov.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel - A SV Moms Group Book Club

One of the things us parents must do on a daily basis - whether you find it a joy or an annoyance - is to feed our kids. For babies just starting out in the food world beyond milk, it is just the beginning. As our kids get older, there can be the classic toddler picky eater syndrome and the excitement when we discover something they like. Join us today as we discuss the books Top 100 Baby Purees and Top 100 Finger Foods by Annabel Karmel. 

Special thanks to Elizabeth from Los Angeles Moms Blog, who sourced this book club for us, following her lunch date last summer with Annabel Karmel.

• Eunice from Random Walk Down Mommy Street says it's all in a day's work
• Sophia Leto from Moody Mommy reviews Annabel Karmel's books from an organic and vegetarian perspective
  
• Tiffany from Lattes And Life thinks she'll just never be that mom
• Robin from The Not-Ever-Still Life is complicating the diet
• Melanie from Tales From the Crib is baby's top chef? probably not...
• Thien-Kim from Cup of Creativi-Tea finds kid-friendly recipes from Anabel
• Linsey from Me Too You is The Cooking Mom...but only at preschool
• Jennifer M. from Ramblings of a Semi-Conscious Mastermind Mommy has a son that is picky-picky
• Elizabeth from Traded My BMW for a Minivan made Annable Karmel's Welsh "Rabbits" 
• Helen P from Milf Alert opened these books with hesitation
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom finds new traditions, new dishes, new experiences
• Julie from Just Precious determines that yes, she can make baby food
• Amy from Occupation: Mommy asks what to feed baby
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom muses about the best laid plans
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus is sick to death of chicken nuggets and mini carrots!
• Alma from Marketing Mommy does twice the work for half the appreciation
• Grace from Formerly Gracie asks are you going to eat that?
• Stacy from Fabulous Miss S. will be kept busy for weeks with these books
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom is cooking her with kiddo
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs is a self-confessed baby food making lover and her kid eats anything finger food or not
• Maxine from The french Mommy born in California is cooking with her daughter and sometimes her friends too
• Paige from Canning with Kids has kids who were perfect victims testers
• Kristie from Real Mommy Reviews finds real yummy, real easy healthy recipes for baby and kids

Los Angeles Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to leave a comment below to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman - A SV Moms Group Book Club

Does your child have an imaginary friend? What would you do if you thought - or knew - your child's imaginary friend had a bit too strong of a hold on her? Jet off to Belize in search of Mayan healers to banish the friend? What a story this is. And a real life one too. Join us today as we discuss The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman.

Hope has also graciously done a Q&A with the SV Moms Group bloggers. Read the Q&A here.

• Lori from New Jersey Moms Blog leads us off as she is parenting by feel
• Florinda from The 3 R's Blog: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness has a perception of danger and possibility
• Marianne from Writer-Mommy thinks its hard to be three
• Cristie's from The Traveling Circus eyes were opened by this faith journey
• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology examines believing in the unknown
• Darryle from I never signed up for this... starts to talk about her own journey with a healer for cancer
• Michelle from Wife and Mommy asks what wouldn't I do?
• Lisa from blog on the wall is keeping faith
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine wishes for magic
• Lisa from Hannemaniacs says bring on the bush doctor
• Cindy Fey from We All Fall Down knows she need to let her daughter be who she is without projecting her fears on her
• Michele Spring Fajeau Read Out Loud discusses faith, hope and healing
• Jessica from It's my life... thinks about the lengths mothers will go to help their children
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom related to feeling like a single mom sometimes
• Amy's from Occupation Mommy daughter's imaginary friend is named Sally
• Meghan from Meg's Idle Chatter has a mother's instinct
• Jessica from This Mom Rocks It talks about the art of parenting
• Linsey from Me Too You asks if twins need an imaginary friend?
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom is a workweek widow

New Jersey Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase: A SV Moms Group Book Club:

With Valentine's weekend just behind it, we're having a little love talk...well, sex talk, really. Do moms still have good sex lives? Can they? Join us today as we discuss The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex: A No-Surrender Advice Book by Kristen Chase.

• Thien-Kim from DC Metro Moms leads us off, saying sexy is an attitude, but sexy panties help. Thien-Kim also gives us some tips on her personal blog Laugh in Bed about parent-friendly sex toys
• Kimberly from Tippy Toes and Tantrums states that her boundaries are easily tested
  
• Vanessa from Chefdruck Musings waxes oh valentine
• Melanie from tales from the crib's countdown continues
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom asks what is fun in the bedroom? sex or text?
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus is talking about sex so run for your life!
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine
   advises keeping your naughty mom groove on
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs asks if her blog is blushing
• Monica from Lady M talks about friends with books
• Mamaneena from hooney! critic is doin' butt
• Rox from Rox and Roll is speechless
• Amy from Occupation Mommy has another occupation: wife
• Meghan from Meghan's Mindless Muttering talks about dry spells
• Alma from Marketing Mommy finds What Every New Mom Wants.

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

Join us for a SV Moms Group Book Club: The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase

Let's talk about sex, baby! For Valentine's Day, we thought it would be nice to have a bonus book club. Join us next Wednesday, February 17, as we discuss The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex: A No-Surrender Advice Book by Kristen Chase.

About the Book:

Whether your post-baby sex life suffered only minor speed bumps or you had to relearn how to drive, having kids does really change everything. It's not that your libido got stranded at the hospital but rather it just went on mini-hiatus – you know, after the kids are asleep, the laundry is folded, and you've lost the post-partum belly rolls. Or at least bought stock in Spanx.

The last thing you probably need are helpful hints from an expert who just wants to send you on date nights or make you name your husband's private parts.

The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex will help you get back what’s rightfully yours. No harsh judgments, boring commentary, or embarrassing exercises. Just a frank, funny discussion about sex after kids for new moms and seasoned veterans. From the nitty gritty on pregnancy and post-partum sex to spicing things up when the flame starts to burn out, even a chapter that's just for the dads, the Mominatrix takes on everything you need to know or want to ask.

So get ready to toss out those mommy jeans and dust off those handcuffs.

Join us! Purchase your copy of The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase here.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.