Happy Mum, Happy Baby: My Adventures in Motherhood

by Giovanna Fletcher

Sunday Times Number One Bestseller Happy Mum Happy Baby is now a Number One podcast.

A positive and uplifting book about what it is to be a mother and all things mum and baby by Celebrity Mum of the Year and phenomenally popular vlogger, author, TV presenter and actress Giovanna Fletcher.

Being a mum is an incredible journey, a remarkable experience that changes how we look, how we feel, who we are. As mothers we are strong, protective, proud. We feel a love like no other.

But being a parent can be hard too. It challenges us physically, mentally, emotionally. There are the days where just managing to fit a shower in amidst the endless feeding, entertaining young children and surviving on a lack of sleep feels like an achievement. With so many people ready to offer 'advice' on the best way to parent, it can feel like you are getting it all wrong.

Since Giovanna and her husband Tom Fletcher have had their sons Buzz and Buddy, they have been sharing glimpses of their family life. With an infectiously positive outlook and happy take on all things mum-related, Giovanna has developed a following of fellow parents and mums-to-be.

This is not a book about how to have the perfect family experience - Gi would be the first to admit she is winging it just as much as the rest of us - instead it is an honest, upbeat and incredibly personal account of her own experience of having a family. In Happy Mum, Happy Baby Giovanna shares her own journey through parenthood and in doing so, she looks at what it is to be a mother today, encourages you to be confident in yourself as a parent and celebrates how putting a focus on being a happy and confident mum can really make for a happy baby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Memoir, Audiobook, Ebooks, Biography, Autobiography

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2017

About the author

Giovanna grew up in Essex with her Italian dad Mario, mum Kim, big sister Giorgina and little brother Mario, and spent most of her childhood talking to herself (it seems no one wanted to listen) or reading books.

At thirteen she left Essex behind to attend the full-time Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met her husband Tom Fletcher. Following SYTS she completed an acting BA (hons) at Rose Bruford – since then she's been acting, chaperoning mini actors and dabbling in a spot of freelance journalism.

Giovanna is a firm believer in the power of magpies and positive energy. To see what makes Giovanna smile, view her blog at www.giovannasworld.com, or her Twitter page @mrsgifletcher

Billy and Me is Giovanna's debut novel.

Reviews

[April (Aprilius Maximus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]

★★★

Things I got out of this book that I'll definitely use in the future:
- teaching my baby to sign before she can talk
- to never let your baby sleep in the bed with you because it will bite you in the ass later
- don't rush potty training
- aaaaand that's about it

trigger warnings: miscarriage, descriptions of birth.

[Annie Donette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s weird... as soon as I fell pregnant, I became obsessed with hearing other people’s pregnancy stories. Before AND after labour, everyone else’s birth experiences were of utmost appeal. And now, on becoming a mum, I’m suddenly interested in all and sundry’s parenting views, tips and tales. So there you have it, Giovanna Fletcher has got herself a book and a target market to boot. That being said, I’m not a fan of hers or her husband’s. In fact I had no idea who she was until a friend of mine leant me Happy Mum, Happy Baby.

Her “adventures in motherhood” comprise a series of stand-alone articles on the usual subjects: labour, breastfeeding, sleep, weaning, potty training, behaviour management, etc. These are delivered in a casual, affable tone that puts you at ease. Giovanna (I typed ‘Fletcher’ but it seemed incongruent with the informality and openness that she writes with) comes across as kind-hearted, good-willed and down-to-earth. She is the first to admit her flaws and mistakes, and acknowledges that every parent is entitled to their own ethos, not necessarily in line with hers. Reading her very personal accounts is satisfyingly reassuring.

Her writing is rather frenetic, though. Not only does she frequently go off on tangents; the tone also flits from chatty to philosophical, flippant to serious, in a blink of an eye. Yet I suppose this is rather fitting for this particular book. It mimics the unpredictability of parenthood and is not unlike the random (lack of) flow of chats I’ve had with other new parents. Undeniably it does grow quite tiresome to read after a while.

For me, this should have been a 200- (rather than 350-) page book. I am interested in Giovanna as a mum, not a celebrity, and the chapters about being on tour with McBusted and name-dropping of celebrity friends were redundant. I also found the specificity of certain details somewhat peculiar. Why do we need to know what make of buggy she uses, which baby snack brands she prefers and who made her kid’s favourite toy? Is it cynical of me to assume product placement is at play here? We see this all the time on blogs, but I’ve yet to experience it in a book (until now).

On the whole, Happy Mum, Happy Baby is a warm and undemanding reading experience not unlike browsing articles on Mumsnet or Mush. I’d recommend it to expectant and new parents for its realistic portrayal of what is to come. However I won’t be rushing to follow Giovanna’s vlogs and certainly won’t be seeking out her novels for further reading.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I wasn't going to give this book a go. I absolutely adore Giovanna and I've said many times "This Fletcher family will end me" after seeing adorable photos and/or vlogs of her husband and her interacting with their boys. However, this book isn't targetted towards me.

I'm not a mother. I don't have any children.

It wasn't until I saw an Instagram post by Gi where she mentioned having PCOS that I became interested. Having been diagnosed with PCOS just last year, I was curious to see how this would play into this book. While it is only mentioned briefly in the beginning, hearing Gi talk about how struggles made me feel more comfortable with the diagnosis. While I haven't been upset over being diagnosed, it's still a syndrome that is a complete pain in the ass from time to time.

It was also great to hear Gi's stories about motherhood. It was interesting to see the other side, the things we don't necessarily always get to know about from her blogs and vlogs. I imagine this book could be very helpful to those who have or are planning to have children.

I highly recommend listening to the audio version of this book as well. Hearing Gi tell the story just feels special, even if sometimes she does talk a bit too fast. The best part about the audiobook? Hearing her two end chapters: the letter to Tom and the letter to her boys. While I imagine these letters are beautiful when written, there is something so amazing hearing her speak these words.

[Megan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giovanna and Tom Fletcher share their lives online, including their parenting life with Buzz and Buddy. In this incredibly honest account of motherhood Giovanna charts her journey from the very beginning to the present day. In doing so the realities of parenting are described in a very emotive, realistic way, capturing the good and the bad, the extraordinary to the everyday.
I read this purely from being a fan of Giovanna's, having read her fiction and following her online I wanted to read more about her motherhood experience. I loved this book and could not put it down, I was so engrossed in her story. Giovanna does not shy away from the brutal honesty of motherhood and talks about subjects she has never mentioned before as well as other subjects that Giovanna has previously shared a lot about online.
'Happy Mum, Happy Baby' is incredible for Giovanna's honesty and it was refreshing to see Giovanna admit to struggles like so many other people out there. Of course there are plenty of happy moments as well and this made me laugh out loud many a time as well as bringing tears to me eyes. Although completely different to her fiction books I feel this is the best book Giovanna has written.
For me the most wonderful thing about 'Happy Mum, Happy Baby' is reading about the positive spin Giovanna puts onto the most negative of subjects, to read about her optimism and hope is truly inspiring. This is clearly a fantastic book for mothers or prospective mothers but this is a brilliant, emotive read for anyone and I highly recommend this. Thank you Giovanna for writing a moving, honest account of motherhood.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I love Giovanna and follow her over on FB, I also have all her other fiction books which I haven’t got around to reading YET! I found myself in a bit of a reading slump (not being able to read anything). So I picked this up and just devoured it within a day!! It is brilliant. I personally do not read a lot of non-fiction but this was a must have especially as being a mother myself! Throughout I could relate to EVERYTHING, having been there and done that myself. It made me laugh, it made my cry it is such a beautiful book. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone and no matter how much I doubted myself and my parenting skills Giovanna made me feel much better about myself and highlighted that it is normal (THANK YOU!). A well deserved five stars and I will highly recommend this book to you all, especially all those mothers (and fathers) out there. Brilliant. I even sent a little message to Giovanna after to thank her as I am sure many of her other readers would have done. Enjoy!

[robynluckystars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a couple of years old now, it’s made me realise how much Giovanna helped pave the way for honest online mums, as nowadays every online mum I follow talks in the same honest way! This book has made me realise that we aren’t as stressed about parenting as some parents are, and we don’t feel judged/care about any judgement. We had 2 and a half weeks of non lockdown parenting, so the concept of taking your baby to Australia or your friends helping settle your baby is mind blowing to me! But being in lockdown has clearly forced us to trust our instincts and parent in our own way with minimal external influence/help, which I realise now is a good thing! We’re figuring everything out as we go and loving (almost) every minute. Who even am I?! 😂

[Amy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a warm, friendly, honest account of early motherhood. It's such an easy read and makes a refreshing change from the many text books I've got (which are useful but formal and heavy). There are a few good tips in the book but it's not really that style - it's more a diary of someone who seems genuinely lovely.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been listening to the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcasts and love them so I was looking forward to reading this but unfortunately found myself slightly disappointed.

The book covers a wide range of topics without going into much detail on any of them. Some parts seemed rushed whilst others seemed to have too much irrelevant information included. The celeb name dropping was unnecessary and the product placement really irritated me.

Overall the writing style could definitely be improved, but this book is an easy read which can be picked up and put down, and Giovanna provides an open and honest account of motherhood which was interesting to read.

[MuddledMummyMoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this at a time in my life where I am past by the baby stage thanks to a very recent miscarriage and with a 10,8 and 5 year old, was both a great thing and a bad thing-hence the 4*. My feelings towards the book changed throughout, which is why its always important-whether Fiction or non-fiction to finish a book before judging it. The opening chapter that details an early miscarriage really offered me comfort and reassurance that it is Ok to be sad, however early in pregnancy you miscarriage (there's a whole blog waiting for me to write here, but I wont bog down this review with "my feelings"). Giovanna is open, warm and endearing, she writes from the heart and this works so well with this book being about the "adventures" of Motherhood, rather than a self-help book, which, although I know was not the purpose of the book, it does help and will help women in a lot of ways. Where the "writing from the heart" hinders the text, is the sometimes confusing lack of chronology, but this in no means makes it hard to read or lessons the books appeal.
It is a true journal of Giovanna's personal journey in to a scary, isolating and yet extremely rewarding world of parenthood, told in a way that the everyday Mum can relate to, even if she cant get on a plane and tour with her hubby! It opens the discussion of how tough being a new parent can be - not just emotionally but physically. The changing body, the leaky boobs, the stiches (No one ever discusses how bloody awful and painful your boobs and "foof", as she calls it, are in those first few weeks). It discusses toilet training, sleep training, just how hard it can be to get outside and these are all things that women assume other women are just able to do, when the reality is we are all dealing with the "mummy Sweats" and the overwhelming fear of judgement from others.
Whilst not everyone will feel the way Giovanna feels about parenting, she has such an admirable way of understanding that the tantrums and difficult bits are part of the learning process, everyone is welcomed in the book. Giovanna does not say her way is the right way or that you should feel this or feel that, rather its how she felt but she is not judging or assuming others should feel that way-and that's refreshing. I certainly couldn't relate to the "strange sadness" Giovanna feels when Buzz, after months of hard bedtimes, just goes to sleep without fuss- I was rejoicing and not "missing" my children when an evening of peace is upon me, but this is where the beauty of the book lies-in the fact it is not judging, it doesn't preach, it simply shares HER experiences.
Its refreshing.
The book offers you a cry, a laugh, a heart-warming hug and some different ideas of how to see things and for me the end of the book had the greatest words of wisdom. Whether a working Mum or a stay at home Mum, Giovanna's message is clear- you are creating something wonderful and sustainable when having children and they will be what stays with you (not in your home-hopefully LOL) what will surround you when your retired and no longer in the "thick" of your career or making home. I also love that the internet, which is often bashed as a place for bullying, trolling and negativity in this new age of social media dominance, as a great place, a place for love and support and above all community, so you do not have to feel isolated or alone.
I would recommend this book to anyone with, or thinking of having babies. I would, and this may seem strange, recommend it to anyone who is having problems with their own self-worth or feeling low, as its about empowering women to support and listen rather than judge and comment.

[Bookswithacuppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been out for a while now but I really wanted to give it a read. Ever since becoming a mum myself, I’m very much interested in everyone else’s stories and experience on being a mum! It was also rated very highly so I was intrigued.

Giovanna’s book is written in a very casual tone, which I liked - I felt like she could be sitting there on the couch with me, having a cuppa and blethering about how it feels to be a mum. She comes across as genuine, warm and honest. It is personal and real - she was very clear where she felt she had made mistakes along the way (which was reassuring for me as a mum) but that it’s also ok to make mistakes! We are all mums, trying our best to achieve the same goal - happy children who feel loved.

I was less interested in some parts than others (being on tour with McBusted, for instance) but this all makes Giovanna who she is, and I can see why it was included in her book. I know others have mentioned strategic product placement but I appreciated knowing the products she has used and snacks that her kids enjoy - when you find things that work, no matter how small, it definitely adds to being a “happy mum”!

I found it a realistic and down to earth portrayal of early motherhood and I would happily read further books on motherhood by Giovanna.

[Ffion · Rating 2 out of 5]

I follow Gi on instagram and love her personality and how she shares her family life, so was really looking forward to reading this.

It's an easy read, but there's not a lot of substance.

The book is mainly autobiographical stories that aren't particularly relatable to the average mum or mum-to-be, although the first few chapters on her journey through POCS and miscarriage are incredibly moving and brave. Throughout the rest of the book there's a lot of name dropping, plugs of her and Tom's work projects, product placement, stories of touring with McFly, and other similar scenarios that make it quite hard to relate to her experience of motherhood.

If you're looking for an autobiography, I'm sure you'll love. If you're looking for a book on parenting / motherhood, less so!

[Hannah Kitching · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this. I will admit, before starting I was a bit dubious about "mum" books and how preachy they can be. However, I did not need to worry because this is such a wonderful, honest, funny, thought-provoking book which has definitely given me food for thought for raising my baby through those first few years. The way this book is written is like having a friend just sit and recount their experiences honestly over a glass of wine, which, when I'm only 3 months away from having a baby (ahhhhhh), is exactly what I needed. I've even earmarked chapters for my partner to read in preparation for birth and breastfeeding. Giovanna really does have a wonderful way with words. Even her worst experiences are written in an honest but uplifting way.

I'm definitely ready to delve back into the world of fiction again now, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I debated between 4 and 5 stars and in the end decided that the only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is because some of it feels too far in the future for me right now - and that's not a reason to downgrade the rating!

[Keriann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, Giovanna is so honest and her friendly tone makes you feel like you're chatting to a friend, she's non judgemental and talks about what works best for her family and understands it may not work for yours. I found the sections on breastfeeding so comforting just hearing that someone like Giovanna struggled with it too as did her son made me feel like less of a failure as a mum. She also gave me a lot of food for thought in this book and I really think that it's a book that will help my mind set. When I'm having a bad day this is a book I can turn to for comfort and know I'm not alone.

Thank you Giovanna for helping this first time mum feel like I am doing it right 😊

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a Mum, but I didn't see why that should stop me reading this book. I love Giovanna for her honesty, keeping things real & the relationship she has with Tom is goals!

The love & adoration she has for all of her boys is second to none, making this book more special, not just being about birth, but the whole journey as a family unit, reaching milestones & how proud she is of them. Full of honesty, humour, family photos & more of a biography than just a read primarily aimed at pregnant women.

It's a bit late in the day now, but I chose this book to read in honour of Mother's Day, as I think Giovanna is one of those mothers that everyone aspires to be.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

[Katey Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fletcher's take on the early stages of motherhood is funny, honest and talks a lot of sense. Although her family are in the public eye, Gi is keen to show that she has experienced the same issues faced by many mums the world over - sleepless nights, breastfeeding struggles, the fear of judgement from society when your child decides to have a meltdown in public. There are also very sweet memories which give an insight into life in the Fletcher household, supported by photographs of Gi with Tom, Buzz and Buddy. I would be interested to read a follow-up in a few years time as the challenges they face naturally change. An enjoyable read.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book following Giovanna’s experience as a Mum. Great to read after following on the gram and knowing that she has had her own struggles too. Normalising the fact things are tough. Lovely words to her husband, feel the same way about mine!! She’s very relatable and glad she doesn’t tell you how to parent! Being kind to ourselves is key and we are piloting this journey together.

[Isla Wigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really resonated with Giavanna in this book, particularly the first few chapters where she discusses her miscarriage, and then her pregnancy and birth and her struggles with breastfeeding. It was refreshing to read that she faces some of the same parenting struggles as I and many other mothers do, given that celebrities on social media often don’t share the messy/difficult side of parenting.

[Anna Casian-Musteață · Rating 5 out of 5]

Să fii mamă e o fericire! O demonstrează și autoarea acestei cărți, mamă a doi copii, care, asemeni tuturor mamelor, trece prin greutăți și prin bucurii. Despre toate acestea a scris în noua sa carte.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can relate to Gi on many thing in the book being a parent of boys too. But it does kind of feel like "happy mum, happy baby...when you have lots of money to throw at them"
We all can't have private hospital births and hire help when it's needed at the drop of a hat unfortunately.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The right book at the right time! I cant concentrate on anything too serious at the mo, and this book was such a flippantly light read!

[Sarah Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Gi. Laugh out loud funny in parts, but also a great and realistic portrayal of motherhood in the early days

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a tip book or a how to book and I think that's why I enjoyed so much. It's a memoir of motherhood and family. The highs, the lows, the gross bits and the funny bits. For some people parts of the book may be a little 'too much information' but for me I applaude Giovanna on talking about things that people shy away from. There are so many things I didn't know about what would happen to my body after childbirth and Giovanna tells us how it is without shame. Because really, why should we be ashamed of our post-birth bodies and the weirdness of them, we've just gone through the most traumatic and wonderful event in our lives. We should be allowed to know about and talk about the icky things that follow.

I tore through this book, staying up way past my bedtime, sacrificing much needed sleep to read it. I laughed, I cried, I cringed in sympathy and nodded so much that I started to resemble the Churchill nodding dog! And the photos, oh I loved them.

This book is so important, in my opinion, it's honest, open, doesn't shy away from anything and it's full of heart. Giovanna really does make you feel that you're doing OK. Hell, makes you feel like your doing better than OK. And in those first few months, when your emotions are everywhere, when you're sleep deprived, in pain, terrified of doing things wrong - you need to hear that you're doing a great job. This book is a big, warm, pick-you-up hug - thank you Gi for making us all feel good and that we're not alone!

[Inês · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It's no good second-guessing strangers, or worrying what they think."

First of all: I don't have any children and I'm not a mother. I do have a younger brother so some of these chapters were quite enlightning.
I follow the Fletcher family for a few years now and they are so amazing! Giovanna is adorable and such a fabulous author. I've all her books and when she announced this one I was a little bit worried because it was not a subject that really interest me.. But I thought it wouldn't hurt to know a few things for the future and for my friend's babies.
About the subject itself I can't talk much because I don't know. And when you don't know enough of some theme, you just read and shut up! Regarding the writing I thought it was really easy and fast paced, and seriously funny. It's a book that can make you smile and laugh out loud, or either cry as if a stranger just snatched your lollipop.
If you're a future mom or already one go get this book and you'll learn something, relate to something, or just have a calm and stress free time.

[Gemma Birkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely bloody loved this book!!!! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. I love everything about Giovanna Fletcher and was very excited when I heard about this book.

Everything about this book is real and raw! I cried and laughed with her and the openness Fletcher shares with her readers is very inspirational. As a Mum to be it made me feel like I can do this and even when I do make mistakes, my baby will love me and I will get things right the next time. It's a massive learning curve and Fletcher shares her mistakes and successes with everyone and has definitely given me the confidence in believing that I can do this too.

I am now even more excited for my upcoming for journey into motherhood.

[Charlotte Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't originally going to read this, as I thought it would be more catered towards mums, but I saw so many amazing reviews that I decided I had to pick it up.

I have been watching Gi's Youtube channel since 2014, and reading this book was a lot like watching one of her videos. I loved the casual writing style; I flew through it and found it so easy to get through. I also loved that it was written more as an autobiography of Gi's motherhood experiences rather than an advice or informational book, as I got more out of it that way.

I have loved watching Gi's children grow up in her videos over the last 2 1/2 years, and watching Gi grow as a mother at the same time. This book was an amazing collection of moments from Fletcher family life, and while I already knew some of the stories, I really enjoyed experiencing them, and others, in a new format. I would definitely recommend this to any fans of Gi's Youtube channel.

[Pinchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Čustvena, odkrita, zabavna in resnična knjiga o njeniz izkušnjah materinstva. Čeprav sama nimam otrok, me je pritegnila. Definitivno jo bom ponovno prebrala. Polna fotografij. Žal mi je, da je knjige konec!

http://bukla-na-buklo.blogspot.si/201...

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed listening to Giovanna recount her adventures in motherhood and stories about her boys. Not that I’m planning on being a mother any time soon, but it was very insightful and touching nonetheless.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Gi's books for a while and after finding her on Instagram I quickly became a fan of just Gi. So, when I heard about this book being released I was over the moon and crazy excited to read it - oh and also pregnant, what timing!
I preordered the signed edition (because I am that person!) and it arrived with the morning post and I had it finished it by that evening.

I don't want to give anything away but this book made me laugh, smile, cry, laugh some more. There were so many parts of Gi's story that hit home with me. I felt like I knew her after reading the book and I felt validated in my own thoughts, fears and crazy emotions as a Mum-to-be but also as a Mum to an angel baby (- at the time of reading; at the time of writing this review, to two angel babies).
Having a child is a scary thing that we want to do because it's the most natural thing in the world but once it's happening we realise just what we've let ourselves in for! Or rather, we realise we have no idea what we've let ourselves in for! You do find yourself searching Amazon for the closest thing you can get to a DIY manual on all things baby related. This is definitely the one to get. It's not a manual at all. It's one person's story. But it is honest and it inspires you to find what is right for you. Plus, it's so nice to hear from someone famous and wonderful that everyone feels this way!

Technically speaking, Happy Mum, Happy Baby is beautifully written, easy to read and well organised so, as I did, you really can just lose hours reading it without stopping. I really respect Giovanna for her honestly and how much she has put of herself in this book, she says herself it wasn't easy to write at times but I'm super glad she did!

All this said - don't think that this book is just for Mum's, it really isn't. It's for girls because we're all emotional and slightly erratic, it's for boys because it's funny and honest and you guys are always asking for ways to understand us females better!, it's for teenagers because it's a glimpse of what being a "grown up" really is, it's for the older generation to laugh at us because they have hindsight and know where we're going wrong! It's just brilliant. Have a peak!

This book coupled with Gi's instagram page also inspired me to have a go at this Mummy blogger malarkey, so if you fancy it, I'd love it if you stopped by and you can read a little more of my thoughts and opinions on stuff! Instagram: @Mumblebees and blog: mumblebees.com (blog is new and still a work in process when it comes to content but there is stuff up to nose at!) Thank you!

[Bookworm Blogger · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://bookwormbloggerweb.wordpress....

My friend actually gave this book to me as a birthday present when she found out we were expecting our second. I have to say that I am not usually one for reading parenting books but after reading 'Why Mummy Drinks' and being pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it I thought I would give this one a go.

Giovanna has a realistic and honest approach to telling stories about her parenting lifestyle and I felt that by the end of the book there was one message that was crystal clear.

There is no one or right way to parent. 

Just like us adults every child is different and responds to things in different ways. What works for one may not work for another and it was very interesting reading some of the differences between her two children. Giovanna does not force her views on you, she is literally retelling her own personal experience in the hope that it will help some of the mums out there. 

I often found myself smiling at some of the stories, partly because I have been there when my son tips a delicious meal, thats taken a while to make, all over the floor. I was also interested to read the potty training chapter (this is still to come for my son) and it has reaffirmed my decision to stay calm and not rush my son. Sometimes I found myself disagreeing with some of the approaches knowing that wouldn't work for my child. When all i said a done though I'd like to think that if I was having a conversation with Giovanna about our different parenting styles it would be more of a conversation rather than a competition to be the best mum possible. Although I have never met her in person  the personality that's portrayed is someone who is approachable and fun. 

Once I'd put the book down it made me realise that being confident in your parenting style is the key to being a successful parent. There are so many people out there who will tell you that what you are doing is wrong but I feel more confident now to stand my ground and believe in the decisions that I am making. I need to care less about what people think because lets be honest they probably haven't even noticed me and even if they have does their opinion matter? Thank you Giovanna for giving me the mental boost that I needed and sharing your lovely family with us all.

[Sam Herbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might seem a bit strange for me to read this book; the people who know me well know that I am not a "baby person" or particularly maternal, nor do I actually want to have children of my own. But I love everything the Fletchers do so, in that sense, it's not strange that I've read this at all. In this incredibly honest account of motherhood, Giovanna documents her journey from before, during and after. I absolutely adore Giovanna and this book has a certain type of magic sprinkled on it, especially when talking about Tom and her sons, Buzz and Buddy. She talks through all the struggles she's faced during pregnancy, and then with newborns and then with toddlers. My heart breaks when she talks about the comments and trolling she's suffered on the internet and the self-doubt she struggles with on an almost daily basis. But her love for her family and the achievements and milestones they've reached together are really heartwarming. It's beautifully written, self-deprecating and funny. The last two chapters, which are letters to Tom, and to Buzz and Buddy, are absolutely adorable. It's not a book full of tips or really any advice, it's just Gi's account of motherhood with the main theme focusing on the individual baby and parents and doing what suits them best. If I had children, I'm sure I would find it invaluable but, for me, it was invaluable discovering more about Giovanna, Tom and their family.