I rarely do book reviews and giveaways on my blog, but once in awhile, something so special comes along that I have to tell you about it.
Today, that something is a new book by my good friend and blogger, Rachel Jonat of theminimalistmom.com.
Rachel is my parenting heroine. Sometimes when I’m struggling to keep up with my blog and book-writing while caring for one child, I remind myself that Rachel is doing it (superbly well) with three. She’s truly an inspiration.
And how does she do it? By living simply and setting priorities, two things that figure prominently in her new book, The Minimalist Mom: How to Simply Parent Your Baby.
Let me just tell you: I love, love, love this book. She offers advice on everything from how to prepare for baby’s arrival, to how to efficiently manage your time once the little one is here. She provides valuable checklists on what you’ll actually need for the first six months (hint: it’s not as much as you think), and creative ways to avoid the avalanche of baby-related stuff. Rachel is raising three boys in a two-bedroom condo; she has a wealth of experience in minimalist parenting and her advice is spot-on.
It’s only in hindsight that we realize how many of those registry “must-haves” were really unnecessary. How wonderful if someone had told us beforehand “you probably don’t need this” or “wait to buy it until you do.” Rachel’s book provides so many valuable tips on parenting well with less stuff, even I wish I’d had it five years ago; it might have saved me from buying that baby swing that my daughter disliked with a passion. This book is truly a gift for all parents-to-be (and should be required reading for grandparents, too!).
In Rachel’s words:
“This is a book about making the tough job of parenting easier by simplifying. Less stuff, more help. This is a book about being intentional about all that baby gear and not getting swept up in the tide of buying more new stuff at every turn. This is a book about figuring out what you really need instead of automatically buying what you can easily do without.
When you guard your space, money, and time when you have children, you’ll simplify a lot of the challenges that new parents face. And when you make things simple, you make life a bit easier, a bit slower, and a lot more enjoyable.”
So true! In my opinion, minimalism makes for an infinitely more serene and manageable parenting experience, particularly in that first year. And Rachel outlines everything you need to know in such pleasant, readable fashion; it’s like getting advice from your best minimalist mom-friend over coffee.
So if you’re expecting, know someone who is, or just want to prepare for the future, here’s your chance to win Rachel’s book! Two copies are up for grabs, in your choice of paperback or Kindle. The giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a Comment below (just one comment/entry per person, please!). If you’d like to leave a Comment, but don’t want to enter the giveaway, just note that in your post.
I’ll keep the giveaway open until the end of Friday, July 29. I’ll use the number generator at Random.org to choose the winners, and make the announcement next week. Please be sure to use a legitimate email address, so that I can contact you to obtain your mailing information.
Best of luck to all who enter!
UPDATE: The two winners of the giveaway, chosen via the number generator at Random.org, are Ritu Khare (commented July 26, 2016 at 8:29 am) and Kai (commented July 27, 2016 at 9:51 am).
Thank you to everyone who participated. I had no idea we had so many new parents and parents-to-be in our community here, and wish you much happiness (and some sleep) with your little bundles of joy! :)
Hi Francine,
As a midwife / mum / follower of both your blog and Rachel’s I would love love love a copy of this book. I’m always looking for ways to help parents avoid the false promises of of the baby paraphernalia. No blanket / electric rocking device is as soothing as a parent’s reassuring arms. How to be reassuring and confident you can sooth your baby, that is the real question.
Unfortunately I live in Europe… Maybe the Kindle version would work ?
Looks like an interesting book. Love that there’s an option to choose paperback or digital.
This is exactly what I’m looking for in a pre-baby book! The idea of life becoming so much more full of *stuff* when a new tiny person arrives is so daunting.
This book looks awesome. I’m a labour and delivery nurse and am always loving talking to my patients about their baby prep. From the people that come to the hospital with two large suitcases of baby stuff just for their hospital stay, to the folks that plan on wearing their baby for the first 3 months. I have to smile at the differences between my minimalist friends and my stuff friends, but even my minimalist friends have struggled with figuring out what’s necessary and what’s not. Especially if it’s their first and they really don’t know what they’ll need. This book is going to be a great baby shower gift I imagine.
This is the book I need right now! I have a 10 month old and things just piles up in her room. I would love to get rid of some stuff that she /we don’t need! I hope this book can help me find the minimalist life I had when I was single.
Simply fabulous!! I’d love to win. Thanks, Francine!
I’d love to have a copy of this book.
Having two daughters who’ve yet to have babies they need to read this and this grandma to Be needs to read it too!
I am expecting my first baby for September and I would love to read this book!
My daughter is expecting in mid October she is currently homeless this sounds like it could be a helpful book for both her and me I try to live a simple life now in that I changed carers from a retail manager to a preschool teacher after finally graduating college at the age of 58 my income is very small I’m trying to learn to make do with much less I love my kids at school anyway I read and use many of your suggestions
My daughter just had a baby boy and as a single parent is coming to live in our Minimalist house for two months. I would love to present her with this book so she starts her journey in the minimalist way.
The book sounds fantastic, would love a chance at having my own copy!
I have a toddler and a baby and wish this book had been written several years ago so I could have avoided all that unnecessary accumulation! Oh well, as they say, better late… ?
This book sounds amazing. My Sil is expecting twins this would be an awesome read for her.
Becoming a mother was the main reason I became a minimalist. I felt so overwhelmed with too much stuff, all of the sudden, that was very easy to see that I also brought a lot with me anyway. Even though I don’t plan on more children, I would love to read this book! Thank you for this opportunity.
Sounds interesting! Working on minimalism but afraid I might fail once the Little one has arrived….
Wonderful! It sounds like she had quite an impact on you. I’d love to read this book.
I would love to have the book as I’m 5 months pregnant. Would love to read it for e valuable advises.
I would love to win this book and for my daughter to read. Thank you for the giveaway ?????
Due in a month, would love this book!
Sounds like a great, useful book!
I have a dear minimalist friend about to become a first-time mother. I’d LOVE to read this book and share it with her!
We are expecting our first child in November and would love to read this book. We are trying to be mindful of what to buy and a baby really needs vs. what everyone is telling us. It’s funny how everyone has something to say when you’re expecting a baby.
YES! This is the exactly the type of book I wished would exist. As someone who is beginning family planning but also wanting to maintain the minimalist lifestyle, this book would be a treasure to read! What a great giveaway— thank you for offering it!
This book will be great for us as we are expecting our first child and have no idea what to buy/not buy and how to organize ourselves! We downsized considerably this last few years and would like to keep it that way as much as possible!
Simple parenting sounds great – I would love to have a copy of the book and hopefully be able to implement the suggestions soon!
I hope I hope I hope!
I am just beginning this journey of minimalism and it is quite a community. As I find ways to be a mom of three it is refreshing to read the journey others have been on, and any help in the baby department would be wonderful.
I’m expecting in January so this woukd be perfect!
Francine, I’m hoping to be a minimalist grandma! My son and daughter-in-law will be expecting their baby in December. I would love to give this book to them! Thanks!
My sister is expecting her first child and has just begun to enter the world of minimalism with my encouragement to do so. I would like to gift her with this book so that she has a guide to help her on her journey
I will certainly be checking this out of the library, thank you for reviewing it!
My two absolute favourite minimalist bloggers!
I would love to win it!
Definitely adding this one to my to-read list!
I am new to living minimally. Thiis would be a great resource to not only encoutage me in my journey but to also encourage my new momma friends, as well.
I would love to read this book!
I would enjoy reading and sharing it.
I have been encouraged by Rachel’s blog for several years. Our lifestyles are very similar, and it’s been sweet to feel not so alone in this journey of living with less to make room for more of what matters!
Oh I would love to have this book! No children yet, but they are in our plans. I love her blog – I’m sure I’d love the book too!
Since I am 36 weeks pregnant with my first child, God willing, this book would be awesome. So far my husband and I have bought absolutely nothing, and our friends are amazed by that.
I would love to read this book (and pass it along to friends when I’m finished!). Thanks!
I’m planning to start a family soon! Would love some minimalist mom tips..
Yay!! So excited to read this!
This looks like a phenomenal read! I have been on a mission the last year and a half to living a more simple life in order to be present and less stressed with my kids and loved ones. Thank you for sharing!