September 16, 2008 2:41 PM
Why preschool? Why not home?
Bad news the other day: My book, The Mommy Manual has been dropped by Revell Books. So add to the mass of stuff on my backburners: finding a new publisher.
God always makes sure I get good news to buffet the bad. Received this email the same day:
Dear Barbara,I came across your book Mommy, Teach Me! while doing a search on Amazon.com for preschool curriculum. EVERY MOTHER I KNOW is sending their child to preschool outside the home, and it just didn't sit well with me because even though I have no formal training, I just KNEW there had to be a greater benefit to teaching my children myself. I have a 34-month old, an 18-month old, and one on the way, and while I haven't always enjoyed the long days at home, day after day, I know that my calling as a mother is divine and I know there has to be more to it than just feeling like I'm babysitting.
Your book has changed my life. It has renewed my energy, changed my perspective as a stay-at-home mother, and made me EXCITED to be home with my kids. I never in a billion, trillion years would have thought that I would ever want to homeschool my kids, but now that I've tried out some of your techniques I feel like I can do it! We're starting small with the preschool exercises, but I can already tell a difference in my relationship with my children and my attitude as a mother. I've purchased your book for a friend already, and recommend it to anyone who will listen. And I had my first discount store find the other day - I found a gold mine of little containers for the sorting exercises - like 40 of them for a dollar or something! So small, but I was so thrilled to be thinking in that direction!
I just can't thank you enough. I still have so many ways to improve and a lot to learn, but I now feel empowered as a mother to make a real difference for my children and am so excited to feel capable of being their teacher. I can't wait to move on to "Mommy, Teach Me To Read!"
I am on your blog often, and I just spent some time building my Amazon wishlist (we have two birthdays AND Christmas in our family in December) from your recommendations, and I can't wait to send it to the grandmas. :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you, and I look forward to reading more of your books.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Mondrut
I asked Stephanie for permission to publish this in case anyone out there wondered whether Mommy, Teach Me! was worth buying or checking out at the library. Here you have it, from a normal, everyday mom - exactly the kind of mom I wanted to reach and exactly the impact I wanted to have.
You can still order The Mommy Manual - or any of my books - from me (I'm buying Revell's last 111 copies) or Amazon (don't know how many they have).
And Stephanie, thanks so much for letting me know one of my books made a difference for you and your children.
~~~~~~~~~~
Also, see Preschool at Home - Mommy, Teach me! photos
Posted in Homeschooling, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
I'm so sorry to hear that - I love The Mommy Manual! If I can scrounge up some extra money I'll buy some of your copies from you. I'll e-mail you at the end of the month if I find some money!! The Mommy Manual is the book I was reading during my vacation when I found out I was pregnant! It will always be special to me because of that!
Posted by: Debra | September 16, 2008 3:21 PM
I echo Stephanie's thoughts. While I do not have the book she was talking about, I do have a copy of "The Mommy Manual" and it has been SUCH a huge blessing.
Thank you Barbara!
Posted by: Ruth | September 16, 2008 3:46 PM
wow - I'm sorry to hear that Revell is dropping The Mommy Manual!
I just picked it up again to read through a 2nd time...I'm going to read it slowly this time and applying principles, hoping they will seep into my mommy brain! :-)
I hope that you will be able to find another publisher...I think The Mommy Manual is an excellent resource that any mom should read!
Posted by: jordana | September 16, 2008 5:24 PM
Hi Barbara,
In light of the disappointing news that Revell is dropping your book, I wanted to encourage you that your book, The Mommy Manual, has been a total inspiration to me. It shaped my philosophy of motherhood in my early days of parenting. Thank you so much for all you do to support the most important job on earth!
Posted by: Joni | September 16, 2008 5:57 PM
Barbara--I'm shocked that your book is being dropped. I have copies of "The Mommy Manual" and "The Mommy Survival Guide" by my bedside and on the kitchen counter. They are so inspirational, particularly when I'm having a tough day, that I keep them nearby so I can turn to them for a snippet when I need a new perspective. Here's hoping that another publisher picks you up soon!
Posted by: Kathi | September 16, 2008 8:58 PM
