The 7 Stages of Motherhood

Buy on Amazon.com The 7 Stages of Motherhood book grew out of my work at Parents Magazine and at Good Morning America, my relationships with leaders in the child development field, and, most importantly, my own experiences as a mom. My conviction that there was a need for a book about the ways we change as our children grow was deepened by the hundreds of mothers I met during the course of my work. Everywhere I traveled, every time I read through the mail or answered questions online, I was struck by the often-desperate longing women had for validation of their choices, reassurance for their fears, insight into the challenges they faced every single day. Few were prepared for the seismic change motherhood brought. What I felt they needed was a book that encouraged them to nurture their development, to take the time to reflect on and really appreciate all that they did as mothers, and to recognize that they were hardly alone in their feelings.

Motherhood is the ultimate never-ending story; we may become less central in our children’s lives, but we never separate completely and neither do they. Our passage from one stage to another rarely happens in a consistently forward-moving direction. There’s plenty of circling, slipping, doubling back during this amazing journey. But there’s no going back entirely and, as the book makes clear, that’s actually very good news.

The Secret of Play

Buy on Amazon.com The Secret of Play is a parenting book I wrote in conjunction with FAO Schwarz that celebrates the good stuff — the fun, spontaneity, creativity, and inspiration children bring to our lives everyday. It’s about helping them to be happier, healthier, more caring, and more creative by understanding what they do best: play.

Through play children explore the world around them, develop an understanding of who they are, make exciting discoveries, boost their brainpower, strengthen relationships, and experience the healing power of a shared laugh.

Drawing on the latest research on brain development and social-emotional growth, as well as on a wealth of knowledge from FAO Schwarz’s 145 years in the toy business, this book lays out a blueprint for play from the first months of life through the tween years. Providing information about the value of play at each age and stage, the book includes ideas, toys, and games that are developmentally appropriate.