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5 Minutes for Books: Mother of the Year

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

It’s coming. That second Sunday in May where we as mothers expect to get what we deserve: a nice lunch and a heartfelt card are reasonable expectations for Mother’s Day, and of course chocolates and jewelry won’t ever be turned away, but I find that when I am just sitting around waiting for attention to be lavished on me, I generally end up feeling disappointed.

In past years, I’ve been known to plan my own Mother’s Day celebration (not only for my mother and grandmother, but just for me), and that works for me.

My point — Yes, it’s nice to receive adoring “thank you’s” from my husband and my children, but isn’t motherhood really all about our sisters? Those who are in the trenches with us?

Leisure Arts’ Mother of the Year is edited by girlfriends Jen Peters and Ginger Highland. It contains stores from mothers and fathers and even grandparents of the year highlighting the “adventures and misadventures of parenting.”

These parents share short stories that will make you laugh and nod in recognition, and are best shared with a friend.

You can buy a copy (for yourself or your own example of Mother of the Year) at a special reduced price at the LeisureArts website.

Speaking of one of my nominees for Mother of the Year–you can still vote for Margaret’s Peanut Butter Waffle Taco once a day through February 27 at jif.com.

Would you like to win a special Mother of the Year gift package? One reader will receive the book packaged in a fun canvas bag — and yes, some chocolate as well!

Leave a comment here (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses). The winner will be announced in next Monday’s column and is subject to our terms and conditions and void where prohibited.

The winner of last week’s book Thom Filicia Style is #105 Amy.


This post was written by contributing editor Jennifer Donovan, who also blogs at Snapshot and is managing editor of 5 Minutes for Books.

Reader Interactions


157 Comments

  4. A good book and chocolates-what more could I ask for…don’t answer that, but please include me in the drawing!

  5. The best joys in life are offered in this prize:)) so thanks for the giceaway and best wishes.skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

  9. Count me in! This would be great to read to my daughters!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

  15. ohh a book and chocolate…Can you throw in a babysitter so I can take a bath by myself???

  18. I’d love to win this for my mother-in-law. She is our constant babysitter and is mother of the year for all of us!

  20. I’d love to win this all for my mom. She is definitely mother of the year! She’s a single mom of 5.

  21. What a great book! I would love to win this to remind myself of why I did the mommy thing 5 times. lol

  22. Looks like an interesting book. And you could use the chocolate wrappers as a book mark.

  25. Oh – what a great giveaway! I sure would love to feel like a Mommy of the Year! 🙂 My son just turned 2 (well, Christmas Eve, but he’s hit THE terrible 2!).

    I love to read and review new books, so would love to win a copy of this one…I’m also a closit chocoholic and could always use a great tote to carry around books and a change for my son!!

    🙂 Wendi

  28. I always wanted to be mother of the year but then Irealized I was just human so now I need to drown my self in chocolate and a good book for the kids.

  30. This sounds like it would be fun to read. And the chocolate is a nice touch.

  34. A Mother’s Day Gift for me. Wow who would of Thought. I’d luv to share those chocolates with the little one’s and we share a ni ni story for mom.

  36. I would love to win hocolates and a new book. This book sounds like it will be neat. Thank you for having this giveaway.

  45. Books and chocolate sound like winning the biggest lottery in the world! Thank you for the chance to dream.

  50. my mother has pancreatic cancer, anything that would bring a smile to her face would be heaven sent

  69. I love this idea. I’ll admit I was upset with my husband last year when he barely recognized Mother’s Day. I doubt he’ll make that mistake again. I would love this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

  70. Reading Goodies and Goodies to eat while enjoying the Reading. Sounds like a great Combo. Pick Me!

  76. Thank you for introducing your readers to the book. It sounds like a good read. Chocolates and a tote bag are appealing as well.

    Thank you for the contest.

    Mother’s Day will arrive soon and I wish you a lovely happy day.

  89. What a great prize for a deserving mom. The one to whom I believe it should go is K.H. who is raising 2 little ones alone, while struggling to once again go to work. She is a talented special Ed teacher who truly understands children with disabilities, as she has CP that she has overcome.

  92. It is great simply to celebrate the joys of being a mother once in a while . . . and it never hurts to congratulate oneself, either! 🙂

  98. The book sounds wonderful and though I’m a strict diet for health reasons I’m sure my daughter in law (who currently lives with us) will enjoy the chocolates while we share the stories in the book. Yea that will work count me in

  103. The chance to win this wonderful sounding book, as well as chocolate to indulge in while reading it….heaven!!!

  105. This sounds like fun! I can’t think of anything better than some quiet time to enjoy a new book while eating chocolate! Thanks for the giveaway.

  111. I use to be a “Mother of the Year”, but now I’m working at becoming “Grandmother of the Year” LOL! I have lots of stories of my own I could share, but I’d prefer winning the book and the chocolates! Sounds like fun and good reading:)

    [email protected]

  124. This would be an awesome Mother’s Day gift! What could you want more than a good book and some chocolates!!

  125. How fun! Thank you for the opportunity! I echo everyone else…books and chocolate, I will provide the diet pepsi!

  126. I know I won’t win Mother of the Year this year…but I am certain I would enjoy reading this book! 🙂 Thanks for a chance to win.

  129. I’d love to get this! I often have to do a little something for myself to ensure a happy mother’s day. 😉

  133. Humm, well I’ll put my hat in the ring. A neat book and chocolate ~ sounds like a mini-vacation!

  135. I have a guide book, Give the Gift of Story…Tap Memory & Write Memoir in Five Acts, for writing “Mother Memoirs” or what I call bio-vignettes. I don’t believe there could be a better gift to a mother than for her daughter (or son) to honor her with a short story capturing her character. The book is on a Spring Special on my website (http://telltalesouls.com/blog), but I would also like to offer a free book giveaway on 5 Minutes for Mom, but I need from Jennifer to do that. Look forwarding to inspiring you to Give the Gift of Story.

  142. I think this book would be wonderful read. Everyone always likes to hear about other parents misadventures.

  152. After a period of time where I wasn’t able to find time to read, I’m back to it with a passion and this looks like a great book!

    And chocolate… well what can be better than a good book to read and my all-time favorite (and perfect!) food… chocolate! 🙂

  153. It’s a great idea for a book. I think all mums could be called ‘Mother of the Year’. We all work hard and do a great job!