July 10, 2008
5 Minutes for Special Needs Books with Jennifer Graf Groneberg
Welcome to 5 Minutes for Special Needs Books, a place for readers to talk about special needs titles!
This week’s book is More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child has Special Needs. Designed to answer any of the many questions moms may have about how to better live their lives while caring for one or more children with unique challenges, it was written by authors Amy Baskin and Heather Fawcett after considering feedback from 500 mothers across the United States and Canada.
The book’s topics are divided into 8 parts including sections such as “Taking Care of Yourself”, “Daily Life—Reality Check”, and “Transformations—From Struggle to Strength.” There are quizzes, task charts, bulleted points, lists, suggestions, and an “Experience Talks” section, which includes direct quotes from some of the many women who participated in the project. There is a sample of a flexibility proposal memo, a checklist for special needs childcare, sample caregiver interview questions, and a sample life skills plan.
Authors Baskin, mother of a child with autism, and Fawcett, mother of a child with Asperger syndrome, felt there was a need for a book like More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child has Special Needs. So they put together a questionnaire for other mothers, and approached many of the appropriate organizations, including The National Down Syndrome Society, United Cerebral Palsy, and Autism Society Ontario, to enlist their aid in getting the word out to their members.
By contacting varied special needs organizations, the authors were able to produce a book that is useful to parents of children with diverse needs. The writing is not diagnosis-specific; instead, it recognizes the similarities in the experiences many mothers share. The result is a book that feels as if it were written for moms, by moms, backed by plenty of facts and research.
I’m no stranger to the quest for a balanced life. I’m mom to three young sons; my middle boy, Avery, has Down syndrome. And even though I felt as if this book were written for me, sitting down to read More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child has Special Needs was a daunting task. It’s a hefty book, at 450-plus pages, and the information covers a lot of ground—cleaning, laundry, taxes, health insurance, estate planning, journaling, sleep, diet, motivation, advocacy, depression, anger, anxiety. Reading the book felt to me a bit like eating spinach—I know I should, I know it will be good for me, but still, it also feels like work.
Until I realized this–More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child has Special Needs is a lot like a dictionary, or an encyclopedia. Not many people sit down and read the dictionary cover to cover. Instead, they keep it on the shelf, and refer back to it as needed.
More Than a Mom: Living a Full and Balanced Life When Your Child has Special Needs is like that. You might not need to read every section; not all the advice will pertain to you. But it’s good to know it’s there, just in case. It’s like having a really smart friend on speed dial, someone you can turn to whenever you need.
If you've read this book, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! And if you'd like to read it, I have one copy of this book to share; leave your name in the comments and I’ll choose a winner at random.
Happy reading!
Jennifer Graf Groneberg lives at the end of a two-track dirt lane at the foot of the Crazy Mountains with her husband and their three children. She’s the author of the book, Road Map to Holland: How I Found My Way Through My Son’s First Two Years with Down Syndrome (NAL/Penguin, 2008), a memoir that offers practical advice and emotional support to parents of children with special needs. You can read more about Jennifer and her family at www.jennifergrafgroneberg.com.
Filed under Book Reviews by Jennifer
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29 Comments on 5 Minutes for Special Needs Books with Jennifer Graf Groneberg »
#1 - 5 Minutes For Special Needs — Praying For Parker @ 6:32 pm
[...] you are there make sure you sign up for the Book Giveaway in Jennifer's [...]
#2 - teribella @ 6:48 pm
Wow! That sounds like a great resource! I'd love to have a copy!
(And what a great site! Glad to find it)
#3 - Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily) @ 7:25 pm
Nice book review. I would be interested in the book as well and would write about it on my site. How often will book reviews be posted here? It is good to learn of new books for the special needs community.
#4 - Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) @ 10:59 pm
What a coincidence that your name is "Jennifer" and 5 Minutes for Books is also "Jennifer". That's almost confusing…
Thank you so much for bringing us "5 Minutes for Special Needs Books". I know this is going to be such a hugely valuable resource for families.
That sounds like a fantastic book. (But you can leave me out of the draw… I wouldn't want to take a chance away from someone who deserves to win.)
#5 - Peggy @ 11:10 pm
I'd love to be in the drawing for this book–it sounds like what I need right now!
Thanks!!
Peggy
#6 - Christine @ 11:17 pm
An encyclopedia or dictionary for especially for parents who have children with "special needs" (of course all three of mine–have special needs)? Sounds like the perfect addition to my library! Count me in for the drawing!
#7 - Shannon @ Gabi's World @ 12:31 am
I have not read this, but I would love to be entered for a chance to win it. Thanks!
#8 - Milk Mama @ 12:31 am
Awesome new blog!!! Thank you for this resource for moms and dads of special needs children! Although I don't have a special needs child of my own, my nephew is a special needs child and I am very close to him. I know what a blessing such sites as these are for moms like my sister.
#9 - gail @ 1:26 am
great review—i'd love to win a copy. sounds like just the kind of book i could use right now.
#10 - TammyH @ 1:40 am
A wonderful review, Jennifer. I'm going to need to keep an eye out for this one!
#11 - Casdok @ 4:10 am
We need more books that are a bit different, this one sounds great!
#12 - Pat @ 5:30 am
Ah I see Casdok above me. I immediately thought of her.Sounds like an excellent reference book to have. Popped over from Kim's the Rambling Beard.
#13 - Val (rylie's mom) @ 8:22 am
Love this new website and I would love a chance to win this book.
#14 - Jenny @ 9:14 am
This book has been on my Amazon wishlist for quite some time. I would love to win it! Thanks of the giveaway and thanks for this new site!
#15 - Marla @ 11:14 am
This book sounds great. There are none like it that I can think of. I hope it is a great resource for parents who are new to raising a special needs child.
#16 - Stacey @ 11:16 am
I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds like something I need right now.
#17 - Kim Ayres @ 11:28 am
Just thought I'd say "Hi" Jennifer on your first post here
#18 - Niksmom @ 12:30 pm
Wow, how on earth did I not know about this site or this book until now?? Thanks, Marla, for sending me over!
Boy, I could sure use this kind of book. Life with Nik has changed things so drastically from pre-child days that I often feel I have lost a large part of myself. I know it's still there and I have grown and developed in so many ways. Still…
#19 - Melody @ 2:46 pm
Hi Jennifer. This book sounds like a reference which should be on my shelf. I will definitely be getting it on your recommendation.
Wanted to wave to you, but don't include my comment in the drawing.
#20 - Michelle @ 5:22 pm
Great review, Jennifer! I wish there had been a book like this when we first brought our little girl home from the hospital. Just wanted to say hi and give you the 'thumbs up' on your review, but no need to include me in the drawing either.
#21 - Jai @ 9:32 pm
I would love to read this book. People are always how do I balance this life with a special needs child so well and in my mind, I don't go a great job everyday.
I would love to have some pointers to help me get on my feet.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for this blog!!!!!
#22 - debi b @ 12:07 pm
Hi! I have never read the book, but would love to.
Debi
I have 4 disabled children, two that are my biological children and 2 adopted. My oldest David and my almost 7 year old, Keith, have many learning disabilities along with both having ADHD.
My youngest two, my twins Emma & Will, were born premature after having major issues with my placenta. Will has cerebryl palsy and major sensory issues, along with speech delays. His sister Emma had a stroke in utero and has right side weakness (although she has AMAZED us).
I try not to let any of this stop us from living "normal" lives and as much as I would love to say it's all rosy all the time, there are definitely moments of real lonliness.
I am so very thankful for this new site and thrilled to make contact with other moms in the "same" place I am.
#23 - Try this! « Pinwheels @ 11:42 am
[...] "5 Minutes for Special Needs Books" and this month, I looked at More Than A Mom. (Go here for a chance to win a copy of the [...]
#24 - Lisa @ 2:44 pm
Lisa Bailey
clbailey71@msn.com
#25 - Jennifer @ 12:44 pm
Thanks for reading, everyone! This is going to be a lot of fun!
#26 - Stacey @ 10:58 pm
It is SO nice to read all these comments…
to show us all– that we are not alone…
and that we all struggle with our lives as mothers– of "normal" and "different" kids!
I'll see if I can find that book at he local library…
#27 - On Reading: Reflections @ 12:04 am
[...] addition to blogging at Pinwheels, she also contributes book reviews to our sister site 5 Minutes for Special [...]
#28 - Sherry Caldwell @ 5:03 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I'd love to read that book "More than A Mom". I'm a mom to three kids one with Special Needs (my 3 year old). I'm just reading your book right now and i couldn't stop crying I'm only on page 45. A little close to home for me as my daughter spent 7 weeks in the NICU at birth her diagnosis was also a total surprise to me i thought we would be home in less then 24hours..i was ill prepare. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your story this evening once the kids are in bed.
Sherry Cladwell
#29 - Ann Robertson @ 12:57 pm
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the review, I have not read this book but often see it in bookstores and always wonder should I get it or is this just another book that will sit on my shelf. As to your book Road Map to Holland, I am reading it now after seeing you in Boston and it is great!
Thank you!
Ann