March 30, 2010

Favorite books: One for the moms (and a giveaway)

You might remember that when my friend Annie guest posted about parenting boys, she mentioned the book Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys.

She gave me a copy as a gift after Ben was born and I tell you the truth - it has become my handbook for raising boys. It doesn't give all the answers and I still have a lot left to read (I've read & re-read the information for the stages that my boys are in), but I find myself sitting there with wide eyes, nodding my head and shouting things like, "YES!" and "EXACTLY!"

One of the most poignant parts is when the author talks about (and explains why) parents of boys so often say to themselves, "WHAT WAS HE THINKING?!" The book has made me feel less alone, and reassured me that Jack dumping full cups of water all over the bathroom floor because he wants puddles to jump in is perfectly normal behavior. Not necessarily acceptable, but normal.

I'm so thrilled with this book that I want to give a copy away to someone. So, that's what I'm going to do. If you have boys, know someone with boys, think that maybe you might have a boy someday, or think that you might know someone who might have a boy someday, you should enter. If you already have it, I'm happy to send it to someone else and include a gift note from you.

Here's how you can enter up to three times:
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Leave a comment on this post letting me know that you blogged about it.
3. Leave a comment on this post letting me know that you post a twitter or facebook status update with a link to this post.

**If you're reading this on facebook, only comments on the blog count . . . click here to go to the blog.**

I've only done one giveaway before and I had maybe 10 - 15 people enter, so I'd say your chances of winning are good. Don't miss out.

Edited to add: Whoops. Forgot a deadline. Let's say Friday, April 2 by 9 AM.

38 comments:

rachel said...

I would love to win the book for my cousin Victoria - she just had her first & it's a boy!

Jude's Mom said...

I have a son. He is 17 months old and I am sure the next baby is going to be a Boy as well. if this is true, I need this book! Even if I don't win, I NEED this book.

Brea said...

This sounds like a great book! I have no doubt it would come in handy as we raise our little Luke!

i.am.rachel.hull said...

I think this book would be an awesome gift for my Sister-in-Law who is ready to give birth to her second boy any day now!

Crystal said...

yes, please. currently my favorite book for reassurance is called "It's a Boy"...it has saved my sanity many times. :) I would love another form of comfort in knowing my boys are normal. :)

Sandra said...

i would love to win it. having my boy in may!

Emily said...

Oh! I want to win! I have a boy! And he's a WILD one too!

Allison said...

Sara, you did the birth announcement for my twin boys born in July, 2008. They're toddlers now, and what one doesn't think of, the other one does! I love my boys, but wow...I grew up in a house full of women, so I feel clueless sometimes.

Emily said...

I posted on facebook too...not sure why though, now more people will enter! :)

Elisa said...

I'd love to win. It isn't always easy to think like Zackary! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I'd love a copy of this! I have brothers, so I felt somewhat prepared for what life with a house full of boys would be like. However, there are many, many things that have me puzzled about these three little men I'm raising!

Sara said...

Oh Lord, this book sounds like it's right up my alley!! Even if I don't win, I may have to get a copy so I can stop wondering if my child is INSANE!

The Giffen Family said...

Would love this book!!

The Giffen Family said...

I just posted about this over on my blog! Hoping if I don't win that maybe one of my readers will and they will send it to me (not manipulative at all, right?)
http://giffenfamily.blogspot.com/2010/03/giveaway.html

ann said...

Sara -- I'm raising a boy, so this would be nice.

ann said...

I just facebooked it, too. It's my status

Anonymous said...

I'm currently reading "Raising Boys and Loving It" but could always use more helpful advice on raising this mysterious gender :)

Kelly said...

Sounds like this book is for me, now that I have FIVE of 'em! Probably should have read it (maybe I could have written it....???) a long time ago, but now that I have my "second batch" of boys, a refresher course is just what I need! Sarah, hook me up!

Suburban prep said...

One of my sisters has three young sons. They are 5 ,one who will be 4 tomorrow (3/31) and one who is 15 months old. They are all spirited little men. They keep her busy for sure. I think this book would be a grand book for her and her husband to read.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Anna said...

I'd love to enter! Your Bennett and my Tate Bennett are only weeks apart

Kelly said...

Sara---I have blogged about you, your designs and this book at www.foreverforalwaysnomatterwhat.blogspot.com


Will be in touch on our adoption announcements!

Jill said...

Boy oh boy! I could really use this book right now! I have a 10 year old ADHD son that has pushed every one of my buttons and also every one elses today. It's been one of THOSE days!
Even if I don't win it, I may have to go buy it. Thank you for doing this giveaway and for posting real life joys & frustrations.

Sandra said...

okay, so here are my 2nd and 3rd entries. I posted on facebook and here's my blogpost: www.growinggrastys.blogspot.com

sara luke said...

OK, this comment will serve as Sandy's third entry. :)

Jeni said...

My friend, also a mother of two boys, is reading this book right now and I plan on getting it anyways. Would be nice to win it!

Anonymous said...

Saw the post about this book and your contest on Kelly's blog
we have 4 boys and haven't read this book so would love to win it:)

Julie

Xander said...

Looks like a great response to this, Sara! (ps don't send me a copy ;)

Just wanted to say that me giving you the book "After Ben was born" was generous. :) Oh well, better late than only a good intention.

:)

Melissa Hoffman said...

ooo lots of comments! Well I don't know much about the book but I know I am having a boy and I KNOW I am going to need all the help I can get! I love giveaways!

AnnLee said...

we just had our third boy (3 under 4)!! (& you beautifully created our birth announcement). i'd love to read it!

Tim & Tracy Lee said...

My friend Shelby has a little boy the same age as my daughter and she's in the midst of preparing to adopt her second. This would be so fun to share with her....

Carrie said...

I'm expecting a boy this May, and need help since my first is a girl! I remember this book being mentioned when Ben was born, and I would LOVE to have my own copy. Thanks!

Rudd Family said...

I have two boys, 3 years and 22 months and would love to read this! I have started reading Dobson's Bringing Up Boys.

Erin said...

My sister and cousin are both new parents to boys (well, technically my cousin's comes in a few weeks) and already my sister says she can tell he's "definitely a boy." I'd love to give this book to one of them!

Nicky C. K. said...

i just had my first baby March 15th and oh boy, it's a boy! sounds like a great book that would come in handy!!

Amy said...

I need this book...2 year old twins! One is a boy and one is a girl...and they are so different! I would love to understand the "what were you thinking" moments!

Sarah said...

Entry #1) Okay, I totally want to WIN this book!!!

Sarah said...

#2: Okay, left a post about this on MY blog. Put me in 2x! :)

John Strodtbeck said...

My boys are almost 13 and almost 10. In so many ways I feel like I should have this figured out by now...but I don't! Does the book cover teenagers?