Author Sue Sanders lived not too far from me not so long ago. We briefly met a few times before her family took off and moved to Oregon. I was flattered when she asked if I would review her book Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore: Navigating 25 Inevitable Conversations That Arrive Before You Know It. I’m glad she did because as a mom of two boys 7 and 9 I don’t know if I would have picked up this book to read for myself. I was wrong in my thinking that I had plenty of time to figure out what, how and when I would have to deal with talking to my kids about puberty, sex, drugs, and so many other issues that plague parents everyday. I learned that by reading this book. It’s in those unexpected moments that our children seek information and it’s in those times that they must be addressed. Here is my scoop:
About the book:
First let me tell you that this is NOT a book about HOW to talk to your children. This is Sanders account of 25 conversations that she has had with her daughter, now 14. Each essay begins with a question that at some point every parent must face. Some of my favorites include: “Do you believe in God?”, “You and Dad do that?”, and “Do you drink wine every night?” Sanders retells these moments in hopes that her story might help parents that are grasping at how they would answer these questions.
The Review:
Well, like I said before I was wrong in thinking that this book was not for me, that I wasn’t ready to start thinking about these things. I’ve had quite a few questions thrown at me that I wasn’t prepared for yet by my guys. Reading, Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore: Navigating 25 Inevitable Conversations That Arrive Before You Know It helped me consider a few things. One of them is honesty in talking with your children. I couldn’t believe how honest Sanders was with her daughter. We all have some part of our past that we wish our children wouldn’t duplicate. Sanders holds nothing back in her conversations with her daughter. She uses honesty and not fear to explain life to her daughter. She also listens to what her daughter says and uses that when speaking with her on tough topics. Communication between a parent and their child has to be an honest one on both ends. That’s what I took away from this book. I know some of us wish we didn’t have the past that we have, but in the end it’s part of who we are and how we parent.
Sander’s does not portray herself as a perfect parent, but an honest one. I connected with her and her family in this book. I walked away feeling that if I’m honest with myself, honest with my child, that’s the kind of parent I want to be. I felt empowered in thinking, ” I could actually do this! There is no “right” answer!” I’ve read a lot of books about parenting and being a mom and sometimes I have walked away feeling inadequate. Not this time.
Disclosure: I was given a book to facilitate my review. All thoughts are always my own!