The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood: A Smart and Honest Guide to Sleep, Tantrums, and Weaning for Modern Moms

by Jane Buckingham, Jen Furmaniak

From the author of the bestselling The Modern Girl's Guide to Life comes a must-have book for the young mom, including best-kept secrets, practical advice, and multiple solutions for problems from birth to age four Just when you thought you could cook (hey, one meal counts), clean (if the queen was coming), and seduce a man (well, long enough to get married), life throws you a curveball that makes all of your previous ineptitudes in life pale in comparison. With the appearance of one little extra line on a pregnancy test, you're thrown into a world of covering up leaks on shirts and taking a pacifier away from a two-year-old who has the grip of a pit bull. In this funny, smart, and honest book, Jane Buckingham cuts through the clutter to give you simple information and practical advice for navigating the different stages of motherhood. From how to get your child to sleep and how to wean, to how to get him off the pacifier and how to stop his tantrums, this book will help moms feel in the know and in control! Some of Buckingham's favorite The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood helps modern moms do it all with love, style, and flair!

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jane Buckingham is an American author and marketing expert. She is the founder and President of Trendera, a boutique marketing firm specializing in trend forecasting, brand strategy and generational research.

Reviews

[Katerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасная книга. Но только если ее использовать именно как пособие "для современной мамочки" и перед этим прочитать парочку серьезных книг, где рассматриваются те же самые вопросы, что и затронуты в этой книге, но только с более серьезной стороны.
Здесь же вы найдете советы о том, чтобы не забыть свою косметичку, когда будете собираться в роддом... или как выкроить время, чтобы мыться каждый день в течение первых недель жизни вашего малыша... и так далее.
Многие советы современны и весьма интересны. И что самое главное, ребенок тут не ставится на пьедестал, как во многих книгах этого плана... Здесь ребенок - это ваше сокровище, но все-таки не пуп земли, вокруг которого должно все крутиться. Книга учит нас, новоявленных мамочек, не забывать о том, что с появлением ребенка наша жизнь не оканчивается и что мы не должны превращаться в убогое чудище, от которого воняет использованными памперсами и которое умеет разговаривать только идиотским голосом, подражающим лепотанию малыша. Надо оставаться Женщиной с большой буквы и гордо носить новое звание "Мама", а не идти по легкому пути перевоплощения в "мамашу".

Посмотрим, как это у меня получится).

[Sarah Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I could have made it through the first 12 months post partum without this essential guide to all things MOMMY! I highly recommend this book to any new mommy-to-be who is a "modern girl" and needs a quick and to the point snick of advice on every element of motherhood. From the first days home, to gear reviews and suggestions on how to handle teething...this is a handy guide! Must Read!

[Tracy Clementi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a number of motherhood/pregnancy books, and this is by far my favorite. She doesn't position herself as an expert, just someone who's been there and is willing to let you learn from her mistakes. I appreciated the honest reviews of certain products and her no-nonsense, non-judgmental approach.

[Tera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only parenting book I could find that contains some of the squicky details of childbirth and the immediate aftermath. It also has helpful info for dealing with extended family during that time.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is a must read for all new mothers. It is CHOCK full of helpful hints, info, ideas, recommendations for what to do in situations that a new mother has NO idea about. It was a witty & fun look at motherhood. I appreciate Buckingham's sense of humor!

[Ms · Rating 1 out of 5]

2019 College admissions fraud scandal alleged participant listed as Jane Buckingham: https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/13/us/wha...

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the practical, quick-and-dirty approach this author took on the subject of motherhood as a first timer. It was easy to use as a reference. I thought it was a good mix of instruction and humor. I would recommend this book to new moms who would like a quick reference guide for common issues.

[Lauren Catron · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book isn’t very “modern.” Granted it was written in 2006, I was thoroughly disappointed with her “tips.” I stopped reading once I saw she said to stop “cold turkey” when it comes to breastfeeding. Umm, it doesn’t work like that. Not worth the money if you’re looking to buy.

[Kadi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mina, kes ma lastest tuhkagi ei tea, sain sellest raamatust palju uut ja kasulikku informatsiooni. Teisalt on see suunatud eelkõige ameeriklastele (saada lapsehoidja toidupoodi jms) ning teatud lõike lugedes tahtis minu sisemine feminist karjuda (umbes nii, et kui sa muud ei jaksa, siis kasuta vähemalt huuleläiget. Noh, et mehel sind kergem vaadata oleks).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guide typifies my feelings on most pregnancy/baby guides: too much "Do this" "Don't you dare do that" and not enough discussion of why or admittance that there are a lot of "right" ways to do this parenting thing. On the whole her advice is good, but too many times I found myself rolling my eyes at some of her guidelines. In one she says you should introduce your kids to eating out from infancy so they'll quickly learn how to behave and then on the next page she says you shouldn't take your kids out to eat until they're three because they're just too hard to control before then. I think the real challenge in writing these guides is limiting the casual assertions you make that are fine when you're talking to your friends, but are far from universal and sound silly when you're talking to wider audience and putting them in writing.

I picked this up because I've been obsessing about all things related to starting solid food and I figure while I'm at it, I might as well see if there's any other big things for older babies I'm forgetting. Unfortunately so much of the baby advice industry is focused on each expert giving you their hard and fast rules that totally contradict another expert's hard and fast rules, so you just end up doing what your gut told you in the first place, and feeling like an idiot for thinking you needed to see what the experts said in the first place.

One thing that might appeal to others about this book, though, is that it's a guide for before your child arrives to three years, unlike a lot of books that stop after the first year. She really does cover a wide range of topics, so there should be something on just about anything that comes up during your child's first few years. Just realize this, like any parenting guide, is not the end-all be-all and so feel free to use your own best judgment.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good reference book for motherhood. It's entertaining to read, too, so it's not like you're wading through a bunch of boring stuff trying to get info. While most things were helpful, I would say she's a "higher maintainance" mom that I am. I'm thinking of things like when she listed the bare minimum you'd need for a baby, or things like that. But, as long as you don't take her word as gospel, that's easily overlooked.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a really great reference book for any new mommy. As it is, it's a pretty good refresher book for me. It covers pretty much everything for ages birth to three years. There is a good deal of wit and humor in the writing, and there are suggestions from the author for additional research.

[Alicia Whitehead]

When that day finally comes...I will have to have this book! I have read the Modern Girls Guide to Life...and it covers EVERYTHING...so I am sure that this book will cover EVERYTHING about having my first child...when that day finally comes...

[Liz Zmoos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about becoming a mom. It has shopping guides and the authors personal stories! It has totally helped me shop and made me feel like less of a freak and laugh at the weird things that happen to you as you are pregnant.

[Nat Hansuvadha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a comical resource that serves as a supplemental text for expectant mothers who are white and metropolitan. I appreciated the candor of the author and the suggestions for baby products, but the book is very slanted towards urban families with money.

[Feliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked her take on this - she even said "you aren't a bad mom if your baby falls out of bed," which the peditrician later said happens to most parents! It is a great read - especially for first time moms who have no idea what to expect!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Best Parenting Books - the Bump.com) (Non-Fiction Motherhood-Guidebook) If you liked "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy", then you will like this book. It's a similar, informal tone but this book covers pregnancy, labor, and motherhood and Buckingham's writing is also research-based.

[Selia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасна книга. Много добре обяснен всеки етап от раждането до детето в детската градина. Съветите и са напълно съвременни и напълно отговарящи на това което се препоръчва от педиатрите. Сигурна съм че още много пъти ще я препрочитам търсейки отговори докато израства и моето дете.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as The Modern Girl's Guide to Life, but it was still enjoyable and had some nice tips. I got it from the library and might check it out again as my baby gets older, especially to read up about baby food and games for older babies.

[Gwendoline Van · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part informative, part fluff, The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood was a fast generalist read about pregnancy, birthing, baby life, and toddlerhood.

Not something I'd purchase for the shelves or feel the need to constantly reference, but a "why not?" thumb-through type of manual.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book...tons of information on taking care of infants and raising babies. lots of practical facts here and quite a comphrensive approach to modern motherhood through the toddler years.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny guidebook for moms.I find Jane Buckingham a crack up!

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has become my "bible" for motherhood. Filled with so much truth and neat tips, I think it's a MUST for moms and moms-to-be!

[Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informative...breaks down EVERYTHING. can get a little long (when you're sick of talking about being pregnant!) but it's great for answering any questions. start early in your pregnancy.

[Ellen Ridyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! It's so honest & helpful & has really great REAL advice.
I like the humor and story-teling in it. Makes me feel like I can totally do this! :)

[Leah Jones-barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book. Easy to read. Good ideas. Would loosely follow for when I have a kid. Good to know brand names listed. Would reccomend

[TRH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book for soon to be new mothers. Wonderful detail and really gets down to what you absolutely need to bring baby home, as well as what you can expect before and after delivery.