This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Recently the publishers of Brain, Child magazine sent me their current issue and several back issues as well, and I decided that this column would be the perfect place to introduce it. I’ve written about my recent addiction to magazines (even fluffy ones), but for the most part I am a book reader. I like the meat. I like to get lost in a great story, or to absorb the advice in a helpful parenting or marriage book.
But I’m always answering the question from friends and readers of this column and the 5 Minutes for Books site, “How do you find all that time to read?” The short answer is that it’s something I love, so I make time for it, just like people make time to watch TV or movies, scrapbook, and have lunch with friends. Reading books just might not be your love right now, and that’s okay; but if you do truly want to squeeze in a few pages, try to eliminate something else in order to add in some pages.
If you are pulled to the written word yet still don’t want to make drastic changes in your leisure choices, you can take 5 minutes to read a magazine article, and you might want to give Brain, Child magazine a try. The tagline is that it’s the “Magazine for thinking mothers.” I will add that it’s also a bit gritty, exploring the pros and cons of issues such as circumcision, “indoctrinating” your children with your own political views, and the reality of life after divorce. The essays also contain an occasional use of mild profanity. But I found that while I didn’t agree with all the viewpoints expressed or didn’t approach life as many of the contributors did, I wasn’t offended by the differences. It made me think of a nicely balanced group of women friends: some might work outside the home, some might work inside the home, they might homeschool their children, or send them to public or private institutions. Some are close to their extended family, and some feud. Some are vegetarians, others overweight or excessive exercisers or couch potatoes. My life is richer through interacting with those who have different viewpoints from mine. Brain, Child magazine opens the doors to diverse viewpoints that I might not encounter in my day-to-day life.
Yes, there are a billion magazines and websites where you can learn the latest potty training tips, creative crafts, and easy ideas for on-the-go meals, but what if you do want to go deeper and explore some of the cultural issues that affect you as a mom, or read some truly beautiful writing? Brain, Child magazine might be the perfect crossover vehicle for you. You can whet your appetite for meaty writing with four issues a year. When your children are grown and you have leisure time in abundance (Ha!), your brain will be primed and ready to pick up the next Pulitzer Prize winning novelist, or will welcome the latest chick lit offering with ease.
Another cool idea offered up at the Brain, Child website is to center a book club meeting around an issue of the magazine. They even offer a special Book Club Deal. If you find that your book club is more club than book, maybe try to focus on a few thought-provoking essays and articles one month!
If you’d like to get a taste of the content, their website has some great articles and essays as well. Click here to subscribe.
If you are interested in winning a one-year subscription to Brain, Child magazine leave a comment (U.S. addresses only). We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.
The winners of their choice of Dewey the Small-town Library Cat in their choice of audiobook or hardcover are:
#161 Jodi, audiobook
#60 Susan Heim, hardcover
#56 Andria, hardcover
#26 Katherine Frazier, audiobook
#123 Veronica Sandberg, hardcover
For those of you who submitted questions, I don’t know if any were used, but I’ll be sure to post the link for the podcast here in a future column when the publisher sends it to me.
Tonya Williams says
I’m never heard of this magazine, but am going to do some research on it now. Thanks!
Jennifer S. says
This sounds like an interesting magazine. I’ve never read it, but I would love to check it out!
Lily Kwan says
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Marcia S says
Thinking and Motherhood are NOT mutually exclusive. I’d love to win!
Gianna says
I’ve never heard of this before. It looks like my daughter would love it 🙂
Dorothy H. says
Wow, this sounds like my kind of magazine. I want in! Thank you!
Jeanne White says
I have never heard of this before either; sounds neat.
Donna K says
Count me in please.
Jennifer C says
Looks like a great mag, count me in!
Heather G says
Love to win! Thanks for the chance!
kathy pease says
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY 🙂
john ferris says
Sounds like a neat prize although i never heard of it,
Veronica Garrett says
I would love to win a subscription to this magazine.
Joyce says
Thank you for this great contest and prize!
Krista Shaw says
I could use any tips on making life easier since I have a 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter!
Amy says
I have never heard of this company, looks really interesting, though
Rosanne Morrison says
First time I’ve heard of it but it sounds good.
Brenda S. says
Thanks for the magazine review!
Tobster says
I’d love to win this — sounds like a magazine worth reading!
Carla Pullum says
Count me in!! Have a great weekend!
Sherri Siler says
This looks great. I would love it.
DENISE says
My kids would enjoy this!
Carolyn says
This sounds like exactly what I have been looking for!
Thanks for the Giveaway!
nathan brown says
Very nice. Thanks.
sarah b says
sounds like an interesting, thought provoking magazine.
John Deal says
I’d love to win this for my daughter.
Karen Gonyea says
Sounds wonderful 🙂
Janet says
This sounds great. I’d love to enter!:)
Samantha Gibbons says
I have never read this but am very interested in finding out more. Please enter me.
Jennem says
This sounds right up my alley. Please enter me!
Kari Follett says
Im a subscriber!!
Kari Follett says
This sounds great, I’d love to win. Im a magazine junkie! 🙂
Lisa Fosses says
I love Child magazine
Terra Heck says
A subscription to this magazine would be great.
Jennifer Short says
Sounds great! A magazine for WOMEN that isn’t fluff! EXCELLENT!
Kim M says
Cute magazine
Veronica L. says
This looks like a really interesting magazine! Thanks for a great giveaway 🙂
Angela H. says
This would be a great magazine for us. Thanks for the contest.
tim brown says
thank you
Lori says
Am I too late to comment?? Just found this post!! I also just found Brain, Child last summer and LOVE LOVE LOVE this magazine. It’s hard to find (my Borders doesn’t carry it, and Barnes & Noble didn’t have the fall issue in recently) and I’m putting a subscription on my Christmas list! Count me in for the giveaway – thanks!
Valerie Mitchell says
great magazines!
sito says
Sounds like a very useful magazine and a good source for some worthwhile information.
ellen cunningham says
I am very interested in Brain. Please count me in.
Belinda A. says
Whata fantastic prize! I’d love this for my little brain child!
Lisa says
I love Brain, Child. My subscription recently ran out and I don’t have the money to renew, so I’d LOVE to win it!
Susan says
I had never heard of Brain, Child, but I am definitely intrigued.
Brandy says
Enter me too, please!
veronica sandberg says
want to win this
CS says
Sounds interesting
MaryBeth says
I’ve never heard of Brain Child before now, but I’m intrigued…. thanks for the chance to win a subscription.
DJ says
Sounds like an interesting read!
rachael says
it sounds like a fabulous magazine, i would love to check it out!
Rebecca C says
I would love to check out this!
Sandra - Illinois says
Since I am a total magazine and book lover, I would love to read a magazine that challenges our minds. Great! [email protected]
Hil'Lesha says
Very nice! 🙂
Reiza says
I’ve borrowed a few from friends, but I’ve never had my own subscription. I’d love to.
Beth says
I love good magazines, and would really enjoying winning a subscription!
MRS.MOMMYY says
thanks for the review
Jerri Ann says
I would love a subscription!!!
Brian L. says
Sounds like a great gift for a new mom I know of.
carole says
I’ve never heard of Brain Child, but it sounds like a great magazine. I’d love a subscription!
Christi says
I’ve heard such good things about this magazine! I’d love to win a subscription!
JoanK says
This would be something the new great grandkids could use. Thanks for the chance at it.
Denise says
I’d love to win this!
Andria says
Looks interesting. I would love this. Thanks!
susan varney says
who would have thought
Julie says
Looks very interesting!
tanya says
I don’t have time for books usually, but I love to read magazines. Having 4 kids and a special needs 20 year old plus working full time as a Registered Nurse means a magazine is often my sole break (except sleeping!)
K. Cleaver says
I’d be interested in reading this magazine after reading your take on it.
Shannon Baas says
I like the looks of this.
jennefer sweitzer says
I have never heard this before, but sounds very interesting.
Maureen says
I’v ehad my eye on this magazine and would love to win a subscription.
Thanks,
Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Jill W says
I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds intriguing – thanks for the review!
Mama Zen says
I would love to check this out!
CPA Mom says
I love, love, love Brain,Child magazine!!!! Just renewed my subscription so don’t enter me in the contest – let someone else see just how great it is!!
c. clemens says
enter me in the drawing.
Keeling says
I would love a chance to win! I’m always looking for new magazines to subscribe to!
Alicia says
I had never heard of it either,and was interested that so many people had! Sounds fascinating!
Jenn S. says
I have never heard of Brain, Child. I will have to check it out, sounds like something I would like.
Sarah VM says
I’d like to win a subscription. It looks like an interesting mag.
Brooke says
This looks like a smart and good mag. I’m always in the market.
charline s says
I am interested in this magazine.
Kelly F says
With a hectic lifestyle, I am always trying to gauge whether or not something is worth my time. I love to read, but often find myself spending more time picking out a book then actually sitting down and reading it! This magazine looks like it would keep my interest and make me feel good about the time I spent reading it.
Maja says
subscriber
Maja says
love it
Tina says
This sounds like an interesting magazine.
Tina says
This sounds like an interesting magazine.
Kathy D says
HAVE NEVER READ BUT WOULD LOVE TO CHECK IT OUT
Susan S. says
I’m intrigued by this. Off to check out the website a little…
Michael Capp says
I’d love to win!
Renee says
This is one of my favorite magazines – I would love a subscription!
Heather says
I love Brain, Child–a subscription would be such a treat!
Casey says
I love Brain, Child! I wish my library carried it, but they don’t.
Jennifer3 says
Thanks for the magazine review!
Renée aka Mekhismom says
I love Brain, Child. I had no idea they had a book club special. I need to look into that for my playgroup. Thanks for the great info!