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MommyBest: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek & Dylan's Mom (and Maybe Yours) Never Learned in School
WE TAKE GREAT CARE CHOOSING OUR CHILD'S FIRST BOOKS;
174 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
About the author
Donna Scrima-Black
2 books5 followersMommyBest: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek & Dylan's Mom (and maybe yours) Never Learned in School: Book 1..is a form of Mommy Cliffs Notes, if you will, from Author, Donna Scrima-Black. MommyBest is designed for busy moms, like Donna, who have little time to read, reflect and record the everyday happenings in their lives. Yet, it's these ordinary experiences that will transcend into extraordinary memories to joyously reflect upon.
Donna believes that mothers today continue to face the conundrum when answering the question: "What do I really want now that I'm a mom?" The choices of pursuing career ambitions and creating a happy family life abound. How do women choose the right options to create the balance they need?
As the CEO of her family, Donna shares magical lessons she learned during the first five years of motherhood, a time of sonic transformation for both baby and mom. Donna combines heartfelt mommy moments, sprinkled with some parenting pragmatics. Following each lesson is a Reader "Reflection" page so moms-and soon-to-be moms-can record their own experience. This unique format of Lesson + Memoir + Reflection = a winning recipe for every mom to showcase both her personal as well as her mommy best!
Before having children, Donna was a successful Advertising Executive. Seeking to make the world a better place and longing for fulfillment in her daily work, Donna went back to school to earn a Master's Degree in Education. She taught fourth-grade for several years before starting her own family. Her greatest and most challenging endeavor is raising her two boys, her two joys!
MommyBest..is for woman of all ages who will or have experienced these magical mommy moments and want to record and re-live them again...
Donna believes that mothers today continue to face the conundrum when answering the question: "What do I really want now that I'm a mom?" The choices of pursuing career ambitions and creating a happy family life abound. How do women choose the right options to create the balance they need?
As the CEO of her family, Donna shares magical lessons she learned during the first five years of motherhood, a time of sonic transformation for both baby and mom. Donna combines heartfelt mommy moments, sprinkled with some parenting pragmatics. Following each lesson is a Reader "Reflection" page so moms-and soon-to-be moms-can record their own experience. This unique format of Lesson + Memoir + Reflection = a winning recipe for every mom to showcase both her personal as well as her mommy best!
Before having children, Donna was a successful Advertising Executive. Seeking to make the world a better place and longing for fulfillment in her daily work, Donna went back to school to earn a Master's Degree in Education. She taught fourth-grade for several years before starting her own family. Her greatest and most challenging endeavor is raising her two boys, her two joys!
MommyBest..is for woman of all ages who will or have experienced these magical mommy moments and want to record and re-live them again...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 23, 2010
As the author of “Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male” I continue to use the lessons that the females of my life taught me. One of those lessons was—Girls remember and cherish the small things that they experience.
This thought is echoed throughout MommyBest: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek & Dylan’s Mom (and maybe yours) Never Learned in School. Not that motherhood should be considered a “small thing.” Donna Scrima-Black has written a self-help book for new moms which reaches out to females (and some males) that incorporates her memories, her feelings and her love of family into a very quick to read, feel good about yourself book.
Throughout the 13 lessons she mixes remembrances of her own that help the reader relate to said lesson. And after each lesson there is a reflection page so you can write down your own thoughts and memories. I really connected with Donna as she related a story in lesson 12 about the holidays and her grandmother.
I was very skeptical when I started to read this book written for females…but that thought was wiped out very quickly. The connection I felt with Donna was evident. It was like we were seated across from each other, sipping on a hot beverage and she was telling me the story of her “boys…my joys.”
Even though men may not admit that they have feelings and probably couldn’t write a book like this, I think they should read this one. It gives an insight into how a women feels before becoming a mom, what they have to “give up” becoming a mom and more importantly how they feel after becoming a mom. I also found that this could be a great way for an experienced mom or grandmother to re-live those days of yesteryear. By using the reflection pages, you have a family history of each birth, somewhat like a scrapbook. Any man would learn a great deal and should have a renewed sense of appreciation for their spouse after reading this. I am grateful for what my wife went through as we became parents and by reading this book I have a better understanding of why.
This would make a great gift for any woman who is contemplating pregnancy or as a shower gift after she is pregnant, or how about a fantastic Mother’s Day gift for moms or grand moms alike.
I also recommend that both the husband and wife should read this together and discuss the upcoming changes that will occur in their life or to revive the feelings they had during that time.
And remember as Donna says, (not that she is the first) “Life goes by fast…learn to enjoy it.”
This thought is echoed throughout MommyBest: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek & Dylan’s Mom (and maybe yours) Never Learned in School. Not that motherhood should be considered a “small thing.” Donna Scrima-Black has written a self-help book for new moms which reaches out to females (and some males) that incorporates her memories, her feelings and her love of family into a very quick to read, feel good about yourself book.
Throughout the 13 lessons she mixes remembrances of her own that help the reader relate to said lesson. And after each lesson there is a reflection page so you can write down your own thoughts and memories. I really connected with Donna as she related a story in lesson 12 about the holidays and her grandmother.
I was very skeptical when I started to read this book written for females…but that thought was wiped out very quickly. The connection I felt with Donna was evident. It was like we were seated across from each other, sipping on a hot beverage and she was telling me the story of her “boys…my joys.”
Even though men may not admit that they have feelings and probably couldn’t write a book like this, I think they should read this one. It gives an insight into how a women feels before becoming a mom, what they have to “give up” becoming a mom and more importantly how they feel after becoming a mom. I also found that this could be a great way for an experienced mom or grandmother to re-live those days of yesteryear. By using the reflection pages, you have a family history of each birth, somewhat like a scrapbook. Any man would learn a great deal and should have a renewed sense of appreciation for their spouse after reading this. I am grateful for what my wife went through as we became parents and by reading this book I have a better understanding of why.
This would make a great gift for any woman who is contemplating pregnancy or as a shower gift after she is pregnant, or how about a fantastic Mother’s Day gift for moms or grand moms alike.
I also recommend that both the husband and wife should read this together and discuss the upcoming changes that will occur in their life or to revive the feelings they had during that time.
And remember as Donna says, (not that she is the first) “Life goes by fast…learn to enjoy it.”
November 21, 2010
Mommy Best: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek & Dylan’s Mom (and maybe yours) Never Learned in School!
Author: Donna Scrima-Black
What is the prescription you have to fill to get a good mother? Where do you go to get the perfect mom who answers all of your questions, listens to your complaints, acts as a referee when you and your siblings are arguing or cooks five different meals at dinner time to accommodate everyone’s dietary preferences? How do you define a person who is selfless, caring, understanding, tries to have all the right answers and never passes judgment on her children even when they are wrong, which is not easy? Just look across your dinner table and you will find the answer to the first question: There is no prescription to fill because it is automatically done and presented with unlimited refills, tons of great advice, no co-pay and extra love included. I wonder if you knew that. Well, mothers are our greatest resource and gift. Children are their most precious blessings. As author Donna Scrima- Black enlightens mothers, children and let’s not leave out fathers in her book Mommy’s Best: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek and Dylan Taught Me, you too will understand the true definition of what it means to take on the most important job, without pay, sometimes even without appreciation, that of MOTHER!
This book does not have a plot nor does it have characters that engage in actions that we can follow from page one until reaching and reading the last page. This book is more of a journal with 13 lessons that the author would like to share with the reader plus an added page to create your own journal or even book of your own with reflections and lessons that you might have learned from reading and want to share with others. Instead of a regular review I will write share my reflections, thoughts and feelings as I read this interesting book.
Growing up I shared a room with my sister who was my best friend. As the author shares how special and close she is with her twin sister, Deborah and her mother Lynn who phones her at least twice day, I smiled remembering how much I miss my sister and how she would call me every morning before the sun came up just because she was going to work and I was working from home. My mom, has Alzheimer’s but before being diagnosed she too would phone at least five times a day to make sure that I completed everything on my to do list and hers too. How I miss that. The author shares so many wonderful memories, thoughts and experiences that I will reflect on some and the rest you will have to read for yourself.
Reading this interesting journal and reflections about beginning her career, meeting the right man and describing her preparation for her first job, I remembered the first day of teaching, the first words that I said to my sixth graders and the outfit my mother picked out for me to wear on day one. As the author remembers the shopping trips to the many department stores with her mom and her sister, I had to smile when her mother would buy each one five new outfits with the best shoes to wear the first week of school. My mom bought us the same dress in different colors with one pair of shoes that would match each outfit. (Just one pairs not five). As money was tight and things were difficult my sister and I appreciated whatever we received as the author shares her precious memories with the reader you can feel the love and emotional joys each time she speaks of her mother and their special bond. However, I will impart my reflections about parenthood, but not from that viewpoint, as I am the best aunt I have been told and will add my reflections of aunt hood and relate them to my sister’s experience as a young mother.
Your first child has to be the greatest gift you ever received. More precious than the rarest diamond with no flaws, your son or daughter does not come with a price tag but with a lifetime guarantee to bring you joy, tears, frustrations, anger, hope, and much more. Imagine taking a piece of clay and creating a perfect likeness of what you hope your child without any flaws, imperfections or faults. You will miss out on all the fun and joy of teaching that child the many lessons needed to attain some sort of perfection and become the person you hope they will be. Derek was first and came into this world not knowing that his first few days would be difficult due to medical error. Sharing her fears, anger and elation when things turned out the right way, the author learned the true meaning of being a mother and much more. How do you go from career woman to mother and director, CFO and CEO of your family? It takes patience and tons of hard work. As I watched my sister become a parent at 18 years of age I had to admire her and the way she adjusted from working at the television station to becoming a full time mom. Creating a safe and positive environment for my niece, was her top priority and making ends meet with little finances coming in was another. Staying home for the first two years of her life, she was going to go back to work but instead had a second child who would require more of her time and attention. Second children are different and should not be compared to the first. Each child has his/her own persona and personality. As I read Number Two Should Fit Like A Shoe, I could hear the voice of the author telling about her experiences and self questioning herself and wondering if she could love another child as much as her first. Would she be able to manage her time, would Derek accept a new addition to the family? Would her energy level withstand all these new changes?
The best part about this book is that each lesson comes with a page for the reader to write his/her own thoughts in case any fathers or would be fathers read this book to understand what happens when you become a parent from the perspective of a new mother. But, these lessons do not come with a test at the end nor questions, or essays to hand in. These come with real life experiences that you can use and employ to help you become your own individual “ Mommy Best.”
Lessons in life that cannot come out of a book but from hands on experiences with different outcomes and results, the author tells how she helped create play dates for her sons. Making sure that they were able to spend quality time with both family and friends is just a small part of the equation of becoming a good parent. Remember: children do not come with a manual nor is there one specific one that every new mother needs to follow. Lesson 6 tells how she met her best friend Margie and their wild and crazy times together. Of course my favorite part was their Thursday Night Shopping Sprees which my sister and I would do every Thursday when she visited my mom. Getting stuck in elevators, playing practical jokes, laughing and just acting silly is why you need a real best friend. Someone who accepts you for begin YOU!
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not comment on Lesson 7. My sister was a neat freak and I well, let’s just say wherever it landed I made sure she picked it up. She was a picky eater and they prayed I was too. But, that never stopped me from eating junk food and being overweight. My mom would encourage her to try new things and I would try anything just to please her. The center activities, the charts to organize their days and the sports events that both parents encouraged and participated in, are just some of the reflections shared by this author and of course her two sons who I am so sure are proud of their mom for telling not just her story but their story too.
New mothers who feel frustrated, under loved, tired, dragging your feet and need to get out more, read this insightful book and write your reflections, thoughts and feelings and share them with your kids, husband and family. Do not neglect yourself and who you are. Understand that motherhood or Aunt Hood comes with a whole new set of rules, requirements and strategies and planning. Making mistakes is allowed. Tests are not given. Hugs and kisses and praise are the best rewards to give yourself, your kids and don’t forget Dad. Grandmothers are saints and know just when to come to the rescue and watch the kids for you to have a night out as my cousin is doing for her son and daughter –in- law tonight.
As an Aunt my sister gave me the privilege of cancelling dates to watch her kids, diapering my nephew when no one else could get him to cooperate, hunt frogs and salamanders and chase him into the woods, and teach them that school is important, setting goals reaching them and setting new ones, and of course knowing that I was there for them when they need me. My sister passed away this July and I hope that they remember I will always be there for them and my great nieces to laugh, hug, play ball, hunt frogs and be Aunt Best.
Thanks Donna for sharing your thoughts, feelings and reflections with me and I hope many other readers.
What is the prescription for being a good mom: You need to create your own formula with the proper balance, ingredients that fit who you are, your family and life style. No two prescriptions will ever be alike. Thanks Derek and Dylan for sharing your mother with us. Thanks Kevin too!
Fran Lewis: these are my thoughts, reflections and remembrances after reading this great book.
Author: Donna Scrima-Black
What is the prescription you have to fill to get a good mother? Where do you go to get the perfect mom who answers all of your questions, listens to your complaints, acts as a referee when you and your siblings are arguing or cooks five different meals at dinner time to accommodate everyone’s dietary preferences? How do you define a person who is selfless, caring, understanding, tries to have all the right answers and never passes judgment on her children even when they are wrong, which is not easy? Just look across your dinner table and you will find the answer to the first question: There is no prescription to fill because it is automatically done and presented with unlimited refills, tons of great advice, no co-pay and extra love included. I wonder if you knew that. Well, mothers are our greatest resource and gift. Children are their most precious blessings. As author Donna Scrima- Black enlightens mothers, children and let’s not leave out fathers in her book Mommy’s Best: 13 Inspirational Lessons Derek and Dylan Taught Me, you too will understand the true definition of what it means to take on the most important job, without pay, sometimes even without appreciation, that of MOTHER!
This book does not have a plot nor does it have characters that engage in actions that we can follow from page one until reaching and reading the last page. This book is more of a journal with 13 lessons that the author would like to share with the reader plus an added page to create your own journal or even book of your own with reflections and lessons that you might have learned from reading and want to share with others. Instead of a regular review I will write share my reflections, thoughts and feelings as I read this interesting book.
Growing up I shared a room with my sister who was my best friend. As the author shares how special and close she is with her twin sister, Deborah and her mother Lynn who phones her at least twice day, I smiled remembering how much I miss my sister and how she would call me every morning before the sun came up just because she was going to work and I was working from home. My mom, has Alzheimer’s but before being diagnosed she too would phone at least five times a day to make sure that I completed everything on my to do list and hers too. How I miss that. The author shares so many wonderful memories, thoughts and experiences that I will reflect on some and the rest you will have to read for yourself.
Reading this interesting journal and reflections about beginning her career, meeting the right man and describing her preparation for her first job, I remembered the first day of teaching, the first words that I said to my sixth graders and the outfit my mother picked out for me to wear on day one. As the author remembers the shopping trips to the many department stores with her mom and her sister, I had to smile when her mother would buy each one five new outfits with the best shoes to wear the first week of school. My mom bought us the same dress in different colors with one pair of shoes that would match each outfit. (Just one pairs not five). As money was tight and things were difficult my sister and I appreciated whatever we received as the author shares her precious memories with the reader you can feel the love and emotional joys each time she speaks of her mother and their special bond. However, I will impart my reflections about parenthood, but not from that viewpoint, as I am the best aunt I have been told and will add my reflections of aunt hood and relate them to my sister’s experience as a young mother.
Your first child has to be the greatest gift you ever received. More precious than the rarest diamond with no flaws, your son or daughter does not come with a price tag but with a lifetime guarantee to bring you joy, tears, frustrations, anger, hope, and much more. Imagine taking a piece of clay and creating a perfect likeness of what you hope your child without any flaws, imperfections or faults. You will miss out on all the fun and joy of teaching that child the many lessons needed to attain some sort of perfection and become the person you hope they will be. Derek was first and came into this world not knowing that his first few days would be difficult due to medical error. Sharing her fears, anger and elation when things turned out the right way, the author learned the true meaning of being a mother and much more. How do you go from career woman to mother and director, CFO and CEO of your family? It takes patience and tons of hard work. As I watched my sister become a parent at 18 years of age I had to admire her and the way she adjusted from working at the television station to becoming a full time mom. Creating a safe and positive environment for my niece, was her top priority and making ends meet with little finances coming in was another. Staying home for the first two years of her life, she was going to go back to work but instead had a second child who would require more of her time and attention. Second children are different and should not be compared to the first. Each child has his/her own persona and personality. As I read Number Two Should Fit Like A Shoe, I could hear the voice of the author telling about her experiences and self questioning herself and wondering if she could love another child as much as her first. Would she be able to manage her time, would Derek accept a new addition to the family? Would her energy level withstand all these new changes?
The best part about this book is that each lesson comes with a page for the reader to write his/her own thoughts in case any fathers or would be fathers read this book to understand what happens when you become a parent from the perspective of a new mother. But, these lessons do not come with a test at the end nor questions, or essays to hand in. These come with real life experiences that you can use and employ to help you become your own individual “ Mommy Best.”
Lessons in life that cannot come out of a book but from hands on experiences with different outcomes and results, the author tells how she helped create play dates for her sons. Making sure that they were able to spend quality time with both family and friends is just a small part of the equation of becoming a good parent. Remember: children do not come with a manual nor is there one specific one that every new mother needs to follow. Lesson 6 tells how she met her best friend Margie and their wild and crazy times together. Of course my favorite part was their Thursday Night Shopping Sprees which my sister and I would do every Thursday when she visited my mom. Getting stuck in elevators, playing practical jokes, laughing and just acting silly is why you need a real best friend. Someone who accepts you for begin YOU!
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not comment on Lesson 7. My sister was a neat freak and I well, let’s just say wherever it landed I made sure she picked it up. She was a picky eater and they prayed I was too. But, that never stopped me from eating junk food and being overweight. My mom would encourage her to try new things and I would try anything just to please her. The center activities, the charts to organize their days and the sports events that both parents encouraged and participated in, are just some of the reflections shared by this author and of course her two sons who I am so sure are proud of their mom for telling not just her story but their story too.
New mothers who feel frustrated, under loved, tired, dragging your feet and need to get out more, read this insightful book and write your reflections, thoughts and feelings and share them with your kids, husband and family. Do not neglect yourself and who you are. Understand that motherhood or Aunt Hood comes with a whole new set of rules, requirements and strategies and planning. Making mistakes is allowed. Tests are not given. Hugs and kisses and praise are the best rewards to give yourself, your kids and don’t forget Dad. Grandmothers are saints and know just when to come to the rescue and watch the kids for you to have a night out as my cousin is doing for her son and daughter –in- law tonight.
As an Aunt my sister gave me the privilege of cancelling dates to watch her kids, diapering my nephew when no one else could get him to cooperate, hunt frogs and salamanders and chase him into the woods, and teach them that school is important, setting goals reaching them and setting new ones, and of course knowing that I was there for them when they need me. My sister passed away this July and I hope that they remember I will always be there for them and my great nieces to laugh, hug, play ball, hunt frogs and be Aunt Best.
Thanks Donna for sharing your thoughts, feelings and reflections with me and I hope many other readers.
What is the prescription for being a good mom: You need to create your own formula with the proper balance, ingredients that fit who you are, your family and life style. No two prescriptions will ever be alike. Thanks Derek and Dylan for sharing your mother with us. Thanks Kevin too!
Fran Lewis: these are my thoughts, reflections and remembrances after reading this great book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews