Mommy reads

"Growth don’t mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown. In my heart it don’t mean a thing."– Toni Morrison

A mother’s influence never ends and is far-reaching. Of all the roles that women play, being a mother is the most daunting and rewarding. On her shoulders rests the shaping of a child’s world. A mother protects and loves her child even at the risk of her own life. History proves that great men and women have credited their mothers for shaping their lives. As George Washington succinctly puts it, "All that I am I owe to my mother."

For these mothers, along with the passion for their children comes the passion for reading. Books are perfect parenting companions to make the road to child-rearing easier. They provide a window for mothers to understand more about themselves and what their children is going through.

Lualhati Bautista, award-winning novelist and screenwriter, likes to read the Chicken Soup for a Mother’s Soul I and II. She says this compilation of sentimental stories about mothers and daughters from different points of view is always a heartwarming read. She never tires of reading stories of mothers and daughters making sense of each other and the world.

Nina Pascual-Yap, administrator for Creative Beginners, Center for Learning and Development, recommends the book The Educated Child by William J. Bennet. Many of the theories discussed in the book she’s applied to her own daughter and school with good results. For her pregnant friends she has passed on one of her favorite books, How to Have A Smarter Baby by Dr. Susan Ludington-Hoe. But now in tune with the uncertain times, she’s found solace in the book The Power of the Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Fortunately her daughter also shares her love of reading.

Another modern mother is Mia Urquico, president of the clothing label Mico and one of the designers of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She recommends the book Moments for Mothers by Kimberly Snider and 40 Ways to Teach Your Child Values by Paul Lewis. Both books provide interesting insights on how to handle your parenting responsibilities.

Working woman and mother, Margie Espino, publisher and editor-in-chief of Baby Magazine reads Emotionally Intelligent Parenting by Ellias/Tobias. She vouches for this book because it teaches how a parent can strengthen a child’s emotional quotient or EQ. She says parents have to be ready to practice stable emotional attitudes themselves to raise emotionally-intelligent children. For a long time focus was only given to the mind and body, the emotions took a backseat. Now research shows that emotions play an important part of how a child copes in today’s complex problems.

While every child is different, with varied influences affecting his growth, it helps to read up and be aware of a child’s development. For more books on mothers and parenting, visit any Powerbooks Specialty Store or call the Powerbooks customer service at 844-4455 for details.