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! :)
I have a pregnant family member who would like this book!
That book sounds wonderful! I want to get pregnant next year so it would be a great ressource to me :)
That would be wonderful, I’m pregnant and could use some minimlistic baby advice :)
Would love to read this book. With my first child I already had this kind of idea for parenting and now that the second is coming soon it would be great to get some fresh ideas.
As the mother of a toddler who is totally uninterested in all the plastic junk that has been given to him, this book looks amazing!
Would love to win a copy of this book!
I love Rachel’s blog, so I guess I would adore her book. Fingers crossed! ;)
I would love to win this book:)
My first baby is due this Spring! :) Would love to receive this as a resource.
Would love to win this book!
I would love a copy!
Would love to win this book!
I follow minimalistmom’s blog too. I discovered her around the time I discovered your blog many years ago. You ladies are my favorite minimalist bloggers. I actually get excited when I see a new post. Thanks for keeping the blog alive. I have one toddler, but I could still benefit from the advice in this book!
What a lovely giveaway! I’d love to win a copy to share with my friend who is expecting her first child.
would have loved this bok when I was a new mom,,but my son and his girlfriend could really use it now!
I am currently planning a baby registry and am overwhelmed with all of the “required” baby gear – I would love to win this book!
Hoping that I am the lucky winner. Would love to read this book!
Thanks for sharing this book review! I would like to win a copy!
the book will make life easier and more enjoyable!
Hoping to win the giveaway!
— A new mom to a beautiful boy
Baby #4 on the way — would love this book!
would love this book! not a mom yet but trying to prepare in every way possible :)
Im a grandma in waiting. My daughter hopes to begin her family in the next year and wants so much to do it without the avalanche of stuff. I really would like to win this book to help her start out right.
I love both of your blogs. I have fewer things than my friends do, but I still aspire to more parenting minimalism.
After four kids and seven grandkids, I sure could have used a book like this! So great to have available!
Would really love to win a copy of this book!
Just had a baby and would like to read this book before I buy more stuff!
Sounds like a winner! I’ll take a book reccomendation from one of my favorite authors any day!
Fingers crossed. Great giveaway
Count me in! First time mamma here navigating all this crazy!
I would love this book! I’m due early November with my first and definitely want to have a minimalist baby.
I have been told I need a bigger home and a larger car to even think about starting a family. If Babies R Us is the standard of usual baby fare, no wonder the general public believe in telling me I need more space. I believe it can be done a better way. I am sure this book is a wonder source of information. Thank you!!
Yes, please!
I’m 26 and am in a wave of pregnant friends/first-time moms. I don’t know what they really need vs. what they have on their registry because it’s so cute, and I’d love to get a gander at the lists so I know what to gift. Then, I’d pass the book round-robin style to my friends, so they can get the info they’d need!
Hey! I am now in the twentythird week of pregnancy . On my thirtieth birthday (07.07.) I got your book and I am in the course of reading. I try to live in the spirit of minimalism , but do not know how to do it well . It’s great that you recommend a book about minimalism for moms , because I’m just in the subject layettes for our little girl , and that we took credit. So a lot of things and spending … Regards! I wish you the same good! I am from the Polish , so I do not think I can win the book , but will be happy if I could buy it :)
Well, I’ve just become a father past Friday and I hope to raise my son with as little junk as possible.
My husband and I are planning to start a family next year and would love to read this book, especially since we currently live in a studio less than 500 sq. ft. in West Los Angeles and want to keep things minimal even after having kids!
i would love this! i’ve been going minimalist for about 4 years now, and now that i’m contemplating a baby in 1 br apt with a dog and partner, this sounds like a great way to figure out if that’s possible, or at least make it manageable for a year.
I am pregnant with baby number 5 – surprise! Almost 12 years between my youngest and this baby, boy do we need SIMPLE!
When I was raising my children in the 70s and 80s, I had great role models in my mother and aunts, who had come of age during the Great Depression. They managed to bring children to adulthood without disposable diapers, changing tables, wardrobes full of new clothing, reams of paper towels, stacks of toys, etc. To this day, I am still grateful for their examples!
Thanks, I would love a copy.
I would love this book! My baby is 7 months and I think he converted me to minimalism! Lol. I still have a long way to go and I think this book would help a lot. Love your blog too!!
So sad! I am a Mexico Resident, but I will love to read it! I hope I can get a copy :D
I’d love to win this for my daughter, who has boys 8 months old and almost-4, and is pregnant with boy number 3. Simplifying could definitely be helpful!
Would love to check out this book as we anticipate our second child!
I’ve enjoyed following both of your blogs and reading your books. I look forward to this new book.
Pregnant with #3! I totally agree with not needing as much as some people think. Would love to read this and also love to have my mom read it because she still believes that more is better. Excited that there is a book on the topic!
I agree that Rachel has a wonderful perspective about minimalist parenting. I subscribe to her blog as well and really enjoy her writing style and honesty. You are both a happy spot in my email “in box”.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of her book.
I’m not a parent yet in my life but I want to be in the future. This would be a great book to see where I can start off on a good foot with motherhood. Looks to be a good read
Oooh this book looks so good – I would la la LOVE to win and read this :) thank you for offering a chance to win it!