Canada Moms Blog

I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali: A SV Moms Group Book Club

Married as a child into an abusive relationship in Yemen, this little girl had the strength to escape and demand a divorce. Interviewed by the New York Times over Skype, Nujood Ali, who does not speak English and worked with a French co-author to write her memoir, I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced, tells her powerful story of becoming a child bride. It is a story that is, unfortunately, not just hers. Join us today as we discuss the book I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali, with Delphine Minoui.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors have to say today, all inspired by the book I am Nujood, Aged 10 and Divorced:

• Tiffany from Lattes and Life wishes we all had a little of Nujood in us
• Grace from Tale of the Multi-Tasking, Craft-and-Design-Loving, Mother-of-Two, Singaporean-Living-in-US, Corporate-Working Mom Named Grace Hester was motivated to look up more into the practice of child brides in Yemen
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs hopes other women can pull together the strength to reclaim their life and happiness
• Kara-Noel from Eli's Lids: The Blog points out that Yemen is not the only place where 9-year-olds are on display
• Sarah from The Travel Mommy considers when honor is at stake
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom says that getting married at nine is like getting married at four
  
• Garima from Mommy In Making determines that something can be done about it...it starts with education
  
• Sharon from Channeling Ricky examines everyday bravery
• Jen from Anybody Want A Peanut? asks what is hope?
• Bay from Queen Mother Blog thinks this book should be fast-tracked to high school reading lists
• Cheryl from SpecialSauce in the House views home as a springboard
• Jennifer Z. from Dirty Little Secret says that many divorced people deserve a party grander than their weddings
• Kristine from Mommy Needs therapy or a Bottle of Wine is given a book, a co-worker and some perspective
• Melissa from Peanut Butter in my Hair shares lessons from Nujood
• Helen P from I Want a Book Deal hopes it’s not for nought
• Melanie from tales from the crib talk to her kids about "when I grow up..."
• Michelle from Honest & Truly! examines childhood scars
• Julie from Just Precious thinks about honor and family
• Jill from Musings from Me on Kids, Preteens, and Teens reads the line "one less mouth to feed"
• Lisa from blog on the wall is in awe of this little girl
• Torie from Manhattan:  For Better or Worse is thinking independently
• Michelle from Wife and Mommy asks how old were you?
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom "confesses" that she was married and divorced
• Janelle from Mama Daisy is looking through a mommy lens
• Zoeyjane from Raising Zoeyjane has a disclosure: how much is too much?
• Linsey from Me Too You examines her other mother fantasies

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please leave a comment here join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• The Body Scoop for Girls by Dr. Jennifer Ashton
• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, Editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine
• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

The Body Scoop for Girls by Dr. Jennifer Ashton: A SV Moms Group Book Club

What questions do teen girls have that they are embarrassed to ask? Who will they be asking? And what answers will they receive? Knowledge is power - why not give our daughters some of that? Join us today as we discuss the book The Body Scoop for Girls by Jennifer Ashton, M.D., Ob-Gyn with Christine Larson.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors have to say today, all inspired by the book The Body Scoop for Girls:

• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology says that teen girls today have more pressure, yet also more resources
• April from It's All About Balance sees that these girls, they are a'changing
• Lisa from Grandma's Briefs has no talk here
• Michele Spring Fajeau from ReadOutLoud advises to "just say know"
• FireMom from Stop, Drop & Blog reviews The Body Scoop for Girls
• Nancy from From Hip to Housewife asks when is puberty ed a bit too ed-ucational?
• Eileen from The Breezeway gets emotional about the future
• Amy from Occupation: Mommy is giving her girls the scoop
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus talks hormones with the girl
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom explain that girls have xxx and boys have yyy
• Roxane from Rox and Roll has a confession to make
• Rachel E. Ayers from A Little Each Day is doing a little advance planning, since her daughter is only 15...weeks old
• Melissa from Life with Sophia states that it's not a vagina, people
• Dannie from DannieSpeaks thinks it's ok to have a guide
• Vanessa from Chefdruck Musings talks about the birds and the bees at home
  

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, Editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine
• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

A SV Moms Group Book Club: Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, editor of REAL SIMPLE

While many of us moms don't want to engage in the debate about whether to be a working mom or a stay-at-home mom...or somewhere in between, it is a topic we often talk about. Do you miss out on things in your children's lives if you decide to be a working mom? Are working moms more crazy and stressed? Oh, it depends on your perspective, of course. Join us today as we discuss the book Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom by Kristin van Ogtrop, editor of REAL SIMPLE magazine.

In addition to the posts below, SV Moms Group bloggers have had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with Kristin van Ogtrop during her book tour. Some of us caught up with her in Chicago, when we were there for our Chicago Moms Blog brand/blogger event and when Kristin was there for REAL SIMPLE's 10th anniversary party. Then a few of the Silicon Valley Moms Blog bloggers were invited to join Kristin van Ogtrop for lunch in Palo Alto, California last week. A leisurely lunch in the California sunshine was certainly not any of our usual happenings and we thoroughly enjoyed it...although we then all had to rush off to the next appointment, to school pickup, to conference calls, to blog about socks with large holes in them strewn all over our houses. To top it off, Kristin joined the entire network of SV Moms Group bloggers on a conference call to talk about her book, whether 21st century mothers live in a state of ambivalence and/or guilt, how to be happy with your choice, the fact that many of us are lucky to HAVE choices...oh, the conversation could have gone on and on. But, of course, it was time to hang up and get back to the chaos.

Here are what the SV Moms Group contributors have to say today, all inspired by the book Just Let Me Lie Down:

• Anna Grace from Chicago Moms Blog leads us off, defining balance: that ubiquitous and frustratingly vague state of equilibrium, when all the parts of your life are working in perfect harmony
• Emily from West of the Loop asks: Is ambivalence the default state of mind for a twenty-first century mother?
• Melissa from Life with Sophia examines the definition of "benign neglect"
• Lisa from Grandma's Briefs enunciates the love
• Jennifer from Ramblings of a Semi-Conscious Mastermind Mommy asks to work or not to work?
• Zoeyjane from Mommy is Moody waxes poetic on little boxes made of ticky tacky
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus has green, green grass
• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology educates us about popular sayings moms use and what they mean
• Melanie from tales from the crib reminds us that if mama aint happy, aint nobody happy
• Rebecca from Life With Boys has a favorite line from this book: "Pie Chart of You"
• Joan from Just The Right Things read a whole book!
• Garima from Mommy In Making is thinking of simple things
• Evonne from Arlington Mama determines that magical thinking is not just for preschoolers
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine asks whether the mother of a special needs child should have a career
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs calls their bluff, among other things
• Eunice from Random Walk Down Mommy Street lists the top ten reasons she is a bad mom
• Sue from Laundry for Six thinks this is the best title ever
• Grace Duffy from Formerly Gracie confesses that it's not that she doesn't love her kids, but...
• Meghan Harvey from Meg's Idle Chatter discusses love and laughter
• Stacy from Laptop TV Mom has "corporate seepage" in her house
• Linsey from Me Too You has a guilt factor

Chicago Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• National Geographic's Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella
• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

National Geographic's Green Guide for Families: A SV Moms Group Book Club

Earth Day IS every day, especially when you have a family - as families, our impact can be felt more, we tend to consumer more, and there is the very real fact that we are raising the next generation that will have to live in this world. The practical questions: What kind of diapers to use? What kind of products to clean and feed your kids and home? How can your family can "Go Green" together? Join us today as we discuss the book National Geographic Green Guide Families by Catherine Zandonella. 

Special thanks to Nancy Friedman from New York City Moms Blog, who sourced this book club for us!

• Michele from ReadOutLoud thinks every day should be Earth Day
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom is greening her family's lifestyle
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus says it's not easy being green
• Leticia from Tech Savvy Mama lists ways to be more green with your technology this year
• Sophia Leto from Moody Mommy thinks about how to live a healthy life
• Julie from Just Precious's visits to the farmer's market helps her children to make healthy green choices
• April from It's All About Balance is eating green and healthy
• Maxine from The french Mommy born in California is raising an enviro-radical...or just little Margo
• Linsey from Me Too You has a green birthday party coming right up
  
• Caitlin from A Hen and Two (Now Three) Chicks is loving this reference guide
• Eunice from Random Walk Down Mommy Street has ants that go marching one-by-one
• Kristie from Real Mommy Reviews is taking an active role in being kind to our earth
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs wishes it was easier being green
• Paige from Canning with Kids likes "green on a shoestring" tips
• Stacy from Laptop Television Mom was reminded that being green is more than common sense
• Stacy from Fabulous Miss S. watched Food, Inc. and read this book all in the same weekend, so is feeling like living a bit healthier
• Roxane from Rox and Roll refuses to leave her kids with an Earth dirtier than the ones her parents left her
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom thinks about her grandmothers and shades of green
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom is going on a greener vacation
  

Silicon Valley Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to leave a comment below to join in the discussion.

Author Catherine Zandonella also answered a couple of questions for SV Moms Group bloggers. If you have a question, please leave it in the comments below. 

Question: It’s easy to recycle (or even forgo) the plastic bags from the market.  How do you handle the endless sandwich, snack, veggie and bread bags?  Can these be recycled even if used and peppered with crumbs or peanut butter?  (I’ve already reduced the plastic bag use by choosing reusable containers for earth911.com or www.plasticbagrecycling.org. (California state law requires that stores collect plastic carryout bags for lunches, but we still use too many baggies.)

Answer: Many types of plastic bags can be recycled. These include newspaper bags, produce bags, bread bags, and "zip lock" bags (remove zipper first) can be recycled. You can find locations that will accept plastic bags at recycling, but you'll have to check with the retailer to see if they also accept other types of bags.) www.plasticbagrecycling.org site has a list of the types of plastic bags and plastic wrappers that can be recycled. In addition to the plastic bags listed above, you can also recycle plastic dry cleaning bags and plastic wrap on furniture and other purchased goods such as paper towels, napkins, and diapers. See the web site for a full list.

Plastics that CANNOT be recycled, according to www.plasticbagrecycling.org, are:

• food or cling wrap
• prepackaged food bags including frozen food bags (e.g., prewashed salad bags)
• film that has been painted or has excessive glue
• other bags or films
• bio-based or compostable plastic bags

Make sure all bags are clean and dry before you recycle them!

Question: Our family swing set sits atop a blanket of recycled tire rubber.  Until reading the Green Guide, we thought it was the best choice (environmentally & economically).  Should we immediately swap out the rubber mulch for a natural wood product?  If so, how should we dispose it?  Can the rubber mulch be placed in the recycling container?

Answer: Tire disposal is regulated on a state by state basis, and you will have to contact your state's department of environmental protection or waste management board to find out what to do with the rubber mulch. In California, you might start with CalRecycle: www.calrecycle.ca.gov.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel
• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

Top 100 Finger Foods and Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel - A SV Moms Group Book Club

One of the things us parents must do on a daily basis - whether you find it a joy or an annoyance - is to feed our kids. For babies just starting out in the food world beyond milk, it is just the beginning. As our kids get older, there can be the classic toddler picky eater syndrome and the excitement when we discover something they like. Join us today as we discuss the books Top 100 Baby Purees and Top 100 Finger Foods by Annabel Karmel. 

Special thanks to Elizabeth from Los Angeles Moms Blog, who sourced this book club for us, following her lunch date last summer with Annabel Karmel.

• Eunice from Random Walk Down Mommy Street says it's all in a day's work
• Sophia Leto from Moody Mommy reviews Annabel Karmel's books from an organic and vegetarian perspective
  
• Tiffany from Lattes And Life thinks she'll just never be that mom
• Robin from The Not-Ever-Still Life is complicating the diet
• Melanie from Tales From the Crib is baby's top chef? probably not...
• Thien-Kim from Cup of Creativi-Tea finds kid-friendly recipes from Anabel
• Linsey from Me Too You is The Cooking Mom...but only at preschool
• Jennifer M. from Ramblings of a Semi-Conscious Mastermind Mommy has a son that is picky-picky
• Elizabeth from Traded My BMW for a Minivan made Annable Karmel's Welsh "Rabbits" 
• Helen P from Milf Alert opened these books with hesitation
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom finds new traditions, new dishes, new experiences
• Julie from Just Precious determines that yes, she can make baby food
• Amy from Occupation: Mommy asks what to feed baby
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom muses about the best laid plans
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus is sick to death of chicken nuggets and mini carrots!
• Alma from Marketing Mommy does twice the work for half the appreciation
• Grace from Formerly Gracie asks are you going to eat that?
• Stacy from Fabulous Miss S. will be kept busy for weeks with these books
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom is cooking her with kiddo
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs is a self-confessed baby food making lover and her kid eats anything finger food or not
• Maxine from The french Mommy born in California is cooking with her daughter and sometimes her friends too
• Paige from Canning with Kids has kids who were perfect victims testers
• Kristie from Real Mommy Reviews finds real yummy, real easy healthy recipes for baby and kids

Los Angeles Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to leave a comment below to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman
• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman - A SV Moms Group Book Club

Does your child have an imaginary friend? What would you do if you thought - or knew - your child's imaginary friend had a bit too strong of a hold on her? Jet off to Belize in search of Mayan healers to banish the friend? What a story this is. And a real life one too. Join us today as we discuss The Possibility of Everything by Hope Edelman.

Hope has also graciously done a Q&A with the SV Moms Group bloggers. Read the Q&A here.

• Lori from New Jersey Moms Blog leads us off as she is parenting by feel
• Florinda from The 3 R's Blog: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness has a perception of danger and possibility
• Marianne from Writer-Mommy thinks its hard to be three
• Cristie's from The Traveling Circus eyes were opened by this faith journey
• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology examines believing in the unknown
• Darryle from I never signed up for this... starts to talk about her own journey with a healer for cancer
• Michelle from Wife and Mommy asks what wouldn't I do?
• Lisa from blog on the wall is keeping faith
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine wishes for magic
• Lisa from Hannemaniacs says bring on the bush doctor
• Cindy Fey from We All Fall Down knows she need to let her daughter be who she is without projecting her fears on her
• Michele Spring Fajeau Read Out Loud discusses faith, hope and healing
• Jessica from It's my life... thinks about the lengths mothers will go to help their children
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom related to feeling like a single mom sometimes
• Amy's from Occupation Mommy daughter's imaginary friend is named Sally
• Meghan from Meg's Idle Chatter has a mother's instinct
• Jessica from This Mom Rocks It talks about the art of parenting
• Linsey from Me Too You asks if twins need an imaginary friend?
• Heidi from Coast to Coast Mom is a workweek widow

New Jersey Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase
• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex by Kristen Chase: A SV Moms Group Book Club:

With Valentine's weekend just behind it, we're having a little love talk...well, sex talk, really. Do moms still have good sex lives? Can they? Join us today as we discuss The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex: A No-Surrender Advice Book by Kristen Chase.

• Thien-Kim from DC Metro Moms leads us off, saying sexy is an attitude, but sexy panties help. Thien-Kim also gives us some tips on her personal blog Laugh in Bed about parent-friendly sex toys
• Kimberly from Tippy Toes and Tantrums states that her boundaries are easily tested
  
• Vanessa from Chefdruck Musings waxes oh valentine
• Melanie from tales from the crib's countdown continues
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom asks what is fun in the bedroom? sex or text?
• Cristie from The Traveling Circus is talking about sex so run for your life!
• Kristine from Mommy Needs Therapy or a Bottle of Wine
   advises keeping your naughty mom groove on
• Lisa H. from Hannemaniacs asks if her blog is blushing
• Monica from Lady M talks about friends with books
• Mamaneena from hooney! critic is doin' butt
• Rox from Rox and Roll is speechless
• Amy from Occupation Mommy has another occupation: wife
• Meghan from Meghan's Mindless Muttering talks about dry spells
• Alma from Marketing Mommy finds What Every New Mom Wants.

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to join in the discussion.

Past SV Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Coco Chanel & Igr Stravinsky by Chris Greenhalgh
• See Mom Run by Beth Feldman
• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the SV Moms Group Book Club.

See Mom Run by Beth Feldman: A Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Club

Harried moms? Who? Us? It is so nice to know we are not alone. Join us as Silicon Valley Moms Group bloggers talk about (and tell some of our own side-splitting essays) Beth Feldman's book See Mom Run: Side Splitting Essays from the World's Most Harried Moms.

• Michele from DC Metro Moms Blog leads us off as she runs in place: from pregnancy ounds to weight loss
• Jennifer from Connect with your Teens determines that Erma Bombeck has nothing on the women included in this book
• Julie from Just Precious (a subject in the book) ponders "if I were a beautiful diamond ring, where would I be?" and also says "yes, I'm still a cry baby"
• Heidi from Coast 2 Coast Mom relates her story of how they couldn't deliver the flowers because the house was a crime scene
• Kim from I'm Not the Nanny reveals her secret mom talent
• April from It's All About Balance admits she is one of those mothers
• Caitlin from A Hen and Three Chicks makes the point that none of us is alone in this whole motherhood thing
• Desiree from Writing to Sanity advises her kids on committing forgery
• Christie from The Traveling Circus relives some of her crazy mom moments
• Cindy from We All Fall Down entertains her kids with stories of immature digestive systems
• Melanie from Tales from the Crib tells a story of if you give a harried mom a job to do...
• Rox from Rox and Roll remembers the old adage when life gives you suppositories
• Lisa from Hannemaniacs' former life flashed before my eyes as she realized she had poop under her nails
• Amy from Occupation Mommy determined that magic is everywhere
• Dannie from Dannie Speaks asks "What did you just say?"
• Meg from Meg's Idle Chatter tells the truth about mommy
• Janelle from Mama Daisy wants a sign that says "no cleavage allowed"
• Linsey from Me Too You decided there are no short cuts in parenting
• Heather from MILF Alert talks about the mess and smell of parenthood
• Beth from TechMamas shares her tech nightmare
• Jenna from Stop Drop and Blog shares her Not So Secret Story
• Robyn from Who's the Boss gets stuck with a classic Back to School Bait and Switch ploy.
• Sheila from Xiaolinmama wonders what is normal anyway?

DC Metro Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please leave a comment here and join in the discussion.

Past Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Club.

This is not a paid for post. The publisher of this book did provide free copies to Silicon Valley Moms Group bloggers to use for this book club.

Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done: A Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Club

Who are those people who spend so much time with our kids every day at school? We are often so wrapped up in parenthood, that we take those who engage in teacherhood for granted. Join us as Silicon Valley Moms Group bloggers talk about Phillips Done's latest book Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind. 

• Michele from Silicon Valley Moms Blog leads us off to the middle of nowhere and the road to everywhere
• Bonggamom from Finding Bonggamom asks what do you get your child's teacher for Christmas?
• Leticia from Tech Savvy Mama gives us a list of the best gifts for teachers (by a teacher!)
• Melanie from Tales from the Crib values those who have been gifted
• Stacy from Fabulous Miss S remembers some of her favorite teachers 
• Heidi from Coast 2 Coast Mom warns what's said at home doesn't stay at home
• Julie from Just Precious still has her teacher mode
• Jill from Musings from Me says third-grade has been pivotal for her children
• Aimee from Smiling Mama talks about amazing teachers
• Rebecca from Life With Boys does a tribute to teachers
• Chefdruck from Chefdruck Musings moves on to planning for career #12
• Max from The French Mommy Born in California gets "a little inspiration" 
• Jessica from It's My Life remembers visiting a new school
• Linsey from Me Too You talks about the messys and the tiddys
• Erica from wellthoughtoutspot shares her reflections of a public school newbie
• Nicole from Not Just a Working Mom sometimes just has to laugh
• Akemi from Chalk and Cheese meets the world in fourth grade
• Robyn from Who's the Boss describes what a third grade teacher shouldn't be
• Kimberly from Tippy Toes and Tantrums brings her daughter to her first author meet and greet
• Shanna from 3 Cute Kids sees the value of a great teacher
• Angela from Domestic Blitz sees a thimble full of hope

Mr. Done (rhymes with Phone!) gave us a special treat last week, doing a private reading and book signing with bloggers from Silicon Valley Moms Blog and some of our school-aged kids. He made us laugh, he made us cry. Thank you Mr. Done!

Silicon Valley Moms Blog is hosting the book club discussion this month. Please go here to leave a comment and join in the discussion.

Past Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Club.

This is not a paid for post. The publisher of this book did provide free copies to Silicon Valley Moms Group bloggers to use for this book club.

Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind by Phillip Done: Join us for Silicon Valley Moms Group's next Book Club on Monday, December 7th

What is it like to be a teacher? As parents, sometimes we might wonder how teachers do all they do? Is it the hardest job in the world? Or the funnest? A little of both? Join us on Monday, December 7th as we discuss Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood by Phillip Done for our next book club. 

About the book: A twenty-year veteran of the classroom, elementary school teacher Phillip Done takes readers through a lively and hilarious year in the classroom. Starting with the relative calm before the storm of buying school supplies and posting class lists, he shares the distinct personalities of grades K-4, what he learned from two professional trick or treating 8-year-old boys, the art of learning cursive and letter-writing, how kindergartners try to trap leprechauns, and what every child should experience before he or she grows up. 

These charming, sweet, and funny tales of Mr. Done's trials and triumphs as an award-winning schoolteacher will touch readers' hearts and remind them of the true joys of childhood. We all have that one special, favorite grade school teacher whom we fondly remember throughout our adult lives - and every teacher also has students whom they will never forget. This is the perfect book for teachers, parents, and anyone else who is looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic read.

Read along with us: Buy your copy of the book today and get ready to discuss with us on Monday, December 7th. See you at book club!

Past Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Clubs have included:

• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Topper
  
• Do One Nice Thing by Debbie Tenzer
  
• Birth Day by Mark Sloan, M.D.
• What Happened to the Girl I Married? by Michael Miller
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  
• Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
  
• Much to Your Chagrin by Suzanne Guilette
  
• It Started with Pop-Tarts by Lori Hanson
  
• Who By Fire by Diana Spechler
• The White Trash Moms Handbook by Michelle Lamar
• Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues
• The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears
• The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

Click here to read all about the Silicon Valley Moms Group Book Club.