September 17, 2007
5 Minutes for Books — Beyond the Mommy Years
Most of us are right in the midst of the Mommy Years–changing diapers, shuttling to school and sports, hosting sleepovers, helping with homework, or encouraging independence. However, some of you have entered that empty nest stage of life, and for others it may be on the horizon for you. Guess what? It’s not so bad. There is a good life awaiting all of us Beyond the Mommy Years. In her insightful and hopeful book, Carin Rubenstein takes a candid look at women’s lives after the children have left the nest. If you are facing this, or currently in the midst of it, this book will encourage you. If you are interested in sociology or women’s studies, you might find it a compelling read. Even though my oldest child still has eight more years of school left, I enjoyed this book for many reasons:
- It encouraged me that losing my children will not mean losing my life or identity, but will perhaps be the start of some of the best and most defining years of my life.
- I took down some advice about ways in which I can make sure that my child will be ready to live on her own successfully when the time comes, and I will be ready to let her go (teach her to do laundry, send her to sleepaway camp, expand my life now).
- I was reminded to continue to make my marriage a priority, since it will be what remains after my children leave home.
If you fear this change in your life no matter how far off it is, this book which opens with the chapter entitled, “There’s no Such Thing as Empty Nest Syndrome,” will help y
ou change your perspective. Dr. Rubenstein presents well-documented facts and studies proving that most women are actually their happiest in their fifties. Additionally, the case studies that she gathered through her interviews and a web survey help you to see how this change affects women from all walks of life: happily married, unhappily married, divorced, with careers, formerly stay-at-home moms, from all family sizes.
The publisher has donated two copies that can be sent to the U.S. or Canada. Leave a comment if you would like to win.
Congrats to the winners of last week’s books:
bebemiqui (comment 15) won the copy of Informed Consent
We have five winners of the Miffy personalized children’s book:
56–Deborah, 50–Amanda, 32–Caryn, 28–Emily, 39–Naomi
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Books, Contests, Parenting by Jennifer
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44 Comments on 5 Minutes for Books — Beyond the Mommy Years »
#1 - jenna @ 12:16 am
Am I really the first one to comment? Wow! I’d love to win this and give it to my mom. Her youngest child (my youngest sister) will be going off to college next fall.
#2 - Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings @ 12:27 am
Sounds interesting. Count me in.
#3 - Deanne @ 1:56 am
Sounds like a great book….sign me up for a win!
#4 - Elizabeth @ 4:27 am
Wonderful. Count me in, please.
#5 - Carey @ 6:47 am
I am really interested in this book. As i watched my mom struggle with the empty nest syndrome, i am determined not to do the same. thanks for the review of this book.
#6 - Beth@sportsmomma @ 7:08 am
sounds like a great book that all Moms will eventually need!
#7 - Michelle @ 8:18 am
It seems like all too quickly my children are growing up and will soon be leaving home. I am already wondering what things will be like when it is just me in my house by myself each and every day after spending every moment with my children around me. While I know that changes and certain feelings are not to be avoided, I am looking for whatever tips and advice I can find to avoid experiencing a severe case of empty-nest syndrome.
#8 - Mama Zen @ 8:31 am
This sounds really interesting!
#9 - Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts @ 8:41 am
Count me in, too. We’ll be transitioning into the empty nest over the next few years.
#10 - Capturing Today @ 8:51 am
Sounds like excellent reading!
#11 - Shannon @ some fine taters @ 8:53 am
Count me in!
#12 - Lynn @ 11:05 am
This book sounds wonderful. My sons are both off at college now, and we miss them a lot. But life is still good as we are all getting used to this stage of life.
#13 - Stephanie @ 11:24 am
I’d love to win this book to read - and then pass it on to my mom. Thanks for the opportunity!
#14 - bebemiqui @ 11:58 am
yeah, I’m excited. Do you need my info?
#15 - Carrie @ 12:36 pm
I’m already crying about Kindergartin, let alone when they leave the nest for good.
#16 - Jen E @ 1:01 pm
Well, I’m quite a ways away from this but judging by how much of my life revolved around my children, I think this book would be good to help me start preparing NOW!!!! Thanks!!!
#17 - Jenna @ 1:27 pm
Sounds interesting to me.
#18 - Andrea @ 1:55 pm
Sounds great. Hope i win!
#19 - Anastasia @ 4:24 pm
It sounds wonderful!
I’d love to check it out too 
#20 - Angela @ 4:47 pm
Would like a copy.
#21 - Laura @ 4:47 pm
I’d like to read this!!
#22 - April @ 5:22 pm
Please count me in. I would love to read this book. Thanks.
#23 - Lesha @ 6:31 pm
Great contest!
#24 - Lisa Brendle @ 8:19 pm
Count me in please!
#25 - Kandy @ 8:58 pm
sounds like an awesome book! Sign me up too please
#26 - Jill H. @ 9:10 pm
Sounds like a great read!
#27 - Linsey Knerl @ 9:43 pm
sounds great! thx for the giveaway!
#28 - Tricia @ 10:44 pm
I would love to read this book.
#29 - Adventures In Babywearing @ 11:03 pm
Wow- this sounds like something that applies to me!!
Steph
#30 - Jodi @ 7:18 am
Sounds like a great book, I’m in!
#31 - Karen Vogel @ 7:30 am
Having hit the point where it looks as though there will be no more babies for me, I’ve been brooding about what’s next. Is all the fun gone? Will I be too old to enjoy doing new things once all my kids have grown and left the nest? I’d love to read this book and find out.
#32 - Carin R. @ 12:01 pm
Hey, thanks everybody! I’m the author of BEYOND THE MOMMY YEARS, and I really appreciate the kind words…
Please check out my website, http://www.DrCarin.com, to learn more about my book. You can even answer my new survey on marriage there!! (Please persuade your hubby to answer it too)
Carin R.
#33 - ukrainiac @ 3:37 pm
Sounds very interesting…count me in!
#34 - Rhonda T. @ 7:46 pm
It sounds like a good book - sign me up!
#35 - Country Life @ 9:18 am
I could really use a book like this. I have 3 boys. 14, 13, and 8 and am not looking forward to them leaving home.
#36 - Myrna @ 9:28 am
I’d really like to read this since my only daughter is all grown up and married with her own little boy
#37 - Caryn @ 9:28 am
I’d love to read this
#38 - MomsBlogging.com - THE Blog for Mom Bloggers Everywhere! » Contest Frenzy September 20th @ 12:52 am
[...] ? How Busy Are You? Sept. 25. Does The Thought Of Traveling With Kids Make You Tremble? Sept. 25. 5 Minutes for Books — Beyond the Mommy Years, and Let Your Baby Try to Tear One of These…, Sept. [...]
#39 - Bev @ 12:15 pm
I would love to win.
#40 - Sarah @ 5:18 pm
I would love to win, thanks!!
#41 - Christine @ 10:10 pm
Very interesting…count me in!
#42 - Christy @ 11:54 am
Please sign me up.
#43 - Doreen @ 7:42 pm
Count me in too.
#44 - Mickey Anderson @ 2:52 pm
This looks like some really good reading for my wife. Would love to win it for her.