- April 21, 2009
- 11 Comments
- General, Giveaways & Reviews
Stop Second Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years by Jen Singer
So. Mommas… mommas of toddlers, to be specific… Do you do that? Do you second-guess yourself as you plod, run, weave and crawl your way through parenting a toddler? I know I did… each time. Sure, by child #3 I had loosened-up a tad or maybe I just gave-in, but the jury is still out 
And for this, I say “Gloray!” for women like Jen Singer of MommaSaid. She has lived through the toddler years (2 boys!) and came out on the other side unscathed with a book filled with ideas that are not just ideas, but field-tested strategies. She probably even still has bruises on her maternal knees to prove it. Or not. But that sounded so impressive, didn’t it?
Jen Singer is a witty writer who peppers helpful tips and advice with humor and even tugs at those heart strings from time to time. I read her first book, You’re a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren’t So Bad Either) and couldn’t stop sharing her insights with friends and random mothers who had the misfortune luck of crossing my “I want to talk to adults, can I talk at you will you please talk to me?” path.
I know… You are probably saying to yourself, “Sure, Jenny… blah, blah, blah… Say what you will… I don’t know this “Jen Singer”. Who is she? Why should I trust HER?”
You bring up a good point. Who is this woman and why should we listen to her? Well, for one… she has great teeth! For two… she looks fabulous in blue:
“But Jenny… has she raised children???”, you ask…
The answer is a resounding YES. Her boys are healthy and well-adjusted at ages 10 and 12. I figured the best place to go to get to know “this JEN” better would be to take a few questions to the two fellas that were part of that “toddler field-testing”. I asked Jen to ask her boys a few questions about her… here is what Nicholas (12) and Christopher (10) had to say:
What is something I always say to you?
Nick: ”Hang up your coat!”
Chris: “Diiiiiiinnnnnerrr!”
How do I make you laugh?
Nick: You say funny things.
Chris: By making up funny things.
What do you think I was like as a child?
Nick: Probably like you are now, only a few feet shorter.
Chris: Talkative.
What do I do when you are not around?
Nick and Chris: How should I know? I’m not there.
What am I really good at?
Nick and Chris: Writing
What am I NOT good at?
Chris: Leg wrestling. (My mother beat me and she’s 71).
If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
Nick: Jen Singer, only looking like a cartoon.
Chris: Bugs Bunny.
How do you know I love you?
Chris: You say so.
See, friends… She’s just a regular gal who, apparently REALLY stinks at leg wresting. Just like you and me. Wait… leg wrestling, Jen? You. Crazay. I can see it in your smile Your lovely straight teeth don’t fool me. I digress…
I am so excited about Jen Singer’s newest addition, Stop Second Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years. The toddler stage is so fun and exciting, but full of surprises. In this book you will find chapters that deal with issues such as potty training and sleep issues… but in wonderful Jen Singer fashion she lures you in with great titles like: If You’ll Just Go To Sleep I’ll Take You to Disney World In the Morning (sleep issues) and Who Is This Kid and Why Is He Calling Me Mommy? (discipline and dealing with the unpredictable nature of toddlers)…
WAIT! Don’t go! There’s more! *screeeeech* Would you like to win a copy of this great book? Please leave a comment and I will choose a winner on Friday. What? You don’t HAVE a toddler? Well, either you know someone who does, or your lil’ feller there in that Johnny jump-up will be one in two shakes of a dogs tail… Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this book for your own library or help a poor mother of a toddler out… and help her build her own library and encourage her: Stop Second-Guessing Yourself!
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Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…
11 Responses to “Stop Second Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years by Jen Singer”
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OOOOH, I’d love to get this book. Of course I don’t have a toddler any more, but I know lots of Moms with them.
PS- I really admire Jen’s straight teeth!
Sounds like an awesome book! I am delurking (I looove your blog) for a chance to win it. I could use some tips from experienced mommies. My 20-month old daughter is kicking my butt; I have big dark circles under my eyes to prove it!
Send it my way Jenny!!!! I’ll probably need it sooner than I think….
Honestly, I’m so happy for the nice comments about my teeth, and here’s why: After I finished a presentation on writing as a career to my son’s 1st grade class, I opened the floor up for questions.
One boy raised his hands and asked, “How come your front teeth are longer than your other teeth?”
And then I spent a week checking people’s teeth. Luckily, about half had longer front teeth than the rest of their top teeth.
I’m so glad I made an impact on that boy’s life with my wisdom…teeth.
Thanks for letting me drop by, Jenny!
Oooh. As a momma of a newly toddled toddler (he just turned one on the 13th!) I definitely need some insight!
There are days where my almost-4 year old drives me to drink. Seriously, it is so frustrating sometimes, and it’s so nice to know that others feel the same way. Also, it’s great that there are people out there giving us ideas/wisdom. I would have loved to had this book when she was 2.
Daniell-lee — Don’t worry, the preschool book comes out in September!
Great post…if I win I’ll pass the book along to my friend who is definitely challenged with her adorable 2 year old son.
I would love a copy! Cute post…love the interview.
[...] On Tuesday – my friend Jen Singer popped in to introduce herself and her newest book — Stop Second Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years… and, Jen, the wonderful human being that she is, generously offered a copy of this book as a giveaway here! Today I announce the WINNAH. [...]