Little did I know when I was beginning my journey as a mother 13 years ago that I would someday be speaking with Melinda Blau, who collaborated with the late Tracy Hogg on the Baby Whisperer books. When I was introduced to her recently, I recalled just how important those books had been to me when my first child was born and two years later with my second.
Like all mothers-to-be, I eagerly awaited the birth of my daughter. I couldn’t wait to meet her and find out what she was like. I had read all the pregnancy and parenthood books, but nothing could prepare me for what was to come.
And from the moment my baby was born, I knew my life would never be the same. She came first. My world and everyone else’s revolved around her. I would shush anyone who made noise when she slept and ate. I was possessive and impossible to be around. And the truth is that she wasn’t the easiest baby to take care of. I tried to figure out a schedule that would help, but I was confused by all the conflicting advice.
Finally, I decided to go to my mom’s house so she could protect me and help me with my baby. I wanted to spend time in solitude and get to know my child. Until that point I’d never had a close relationship with my mother—it was more of a caretaker relationship, with me as her caretaker. But now here I was, a new mother, clueless about taking care of a newborn—and my mother was taking care of me.
I knew I needed to master the job of motherhood. After all, Sofia was my child, I was her mother, and I had to learn how to interpret what she needed. So I went into a bookstore and found Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, which Tracy Hogg wrote in collaboration with Melinda (two other Baby Whisperer books followed). As soon as I read it, I knew I had found my new guru. She identified five different temperaments among infants and helped me understand that my daughter was a mix of two; later, I would find which one my son was. Secrets of the Baby Whisperer saved my sanity and rewired how I handled childrearing.
When by chance I was introduced to Melinda, I was thrilled to find out that she had just completed a new book titled Family Whispering, which is being released today! An award-winning journalist, Melinda has been researching and writing about relationships and social trends for more than 30 years. You can find out more about her here.
Melinda and I share the same belief: A family is a unit, and to be successful all members need to contribute. Her new book is geared toward helping families rewire their approach from child-centric to family-centric. It’s not about parenting; it’s about how to be a stronger, healthier, happier family.
Congratulations, Melinda! We are honored to feature an excerpt from Family Whispering today, and we welcome you as a family expert on Rewire Me!
Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.
Click here to see Rose’s tips for healthy and happy relationships
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1 Comment
Debra
Rose, thank you so much for sharing. I think that all new mom’s go through something similar, I know I did and even to this day with my oldest being 17 and my youngest 10; I still feel a little struggle and a sense of confusion. I will definitely be picking up a copy of “Family Whispering”
Thanks!