Mommy Needs a Raise (Because Quitting's Not an Option) by Sarah Parshall Perry

Lately I've been reading a lot of parenting books. 

Let's face it, the transition from  pre-child to Mommy isn't always a smooth one- no matter how much you may anticipate that change.

Mommy Needs A Raise really seemed like a must read for my house. Sarah Parshall Perry writes about life as a stay at home mom with her active household. She has two boys with autism (always  interesting as we are also adapting to life through our son's eyes with autism) and has chronic health concerns like myself. However, even with all those commonalities I struggled to connect with this book and recognize  that it's not material but personal and parenting views that we hold differently.

The format of this book was far different than any I've read this year, the first section actually focused on Perry's life before kids. This was an interesting take as many parenting books focus on life post kids without acknowledging the shaping effects of their life pre-kids.  This approach allows readers a better understanding of how  the author approaches her life and by extension her writing and this book.

Perry's wisdom is wrapped up in stories filled  with her own brand of humour and honest reflections about life. Storytelling is a strength  that Perry utilizes with skill and allows her to create  an atmosphere drawing readers in - even if they don't agree with her all of her parenting directions. The only thing to note is that Perry's storytelling skill is so strong at times, it seems, she struggles to contain it as tangents  pop up and can leave the reader confused (if they're mom to the "we refuse to sleep" crowd)

I think that's one of the things I enjoy about reading parenting books, there is wisdom to be found even when there are differing opinions. For example, Perry's final chapter contains a 20 point list that I found to be both touching and memorable. 

A few months ago I had the pleasure of reading a parenting book by Melanie Dale. She said right out that not ever reader would connect to her quirky style and she accepted that. I dove into that quirkiness and found myself sad I  could only meet the author through her one book as our quirkiness seemed to align. Others who read that book found themselves unable to continue due to the disconnect.

I feel that Perry is another such author. For some moms, her wisdom is going to hit home  in ways others cannot. Her personality and experience is going to reach out to a unique group of moms who have traded in the workforce, live out crazy schedules with somewhat sarcastic observations, and brings honesty to the struggle of so many who seek to justify a life in student loan repayment while living out the day to day of  keeping house, work from home projects,  and school age kids. For others the disconnect may be  too strong.

But  you'll have to read her work to find out which group you fall into.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."