September 11, 2018
The Fun Book of Fatherhood: A Paternity Leave Dad – Tale of a Pioneer
Family is the most important thing in the world and nothing can come close to those important bonds you create with your children in the first few months of life. It is amazing with all the research that even today, there is still not a universal PAID maternity and paternity leave. Read more about this paternity leave pioneer who changed history in the US.
About The Fun Book of Fatherhood: A Paternity Leave Dad – Tale of a Pioneer
In 1973, Jerry Cammarata made history by becoming the first father in the United States to fight for and win paternity leave from the New York City Board of Education. As a result of the national attention he received, Dr. Cammarata was appointed to the White House Conference on Families by President Carter and later served as Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development under New York City Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg.
The newly revised edition sets forth to enlighten new generation of parents and grandparents. A resource and teaching tool for parents, the central theme is that humans should emulate their counterparts in the animal kingdom. By looking at how the animal kingdom raises their young, readers can learn how to be accepting of each other, their diversity and individuality of parenting. It also addresses the current state of affairs on parenting globally and ways to reach out to legislators on the issues of parenting and paid family leave.
My Thoughts
Before I dive to deep into my review, I want to say that I am a strong believer of paid parental leave – whether it be for the Mother or Father (or ultimately both). The bond between a child and their Father is extremely important and I feel that too often it is ignored. Dad can and do a great job at parenting at every day and they should be a valued and respected for their role in the home. I wish as a society we can remove that image from our head of the typical Father figure that goes to work, comes home is the authoritative figure but that is pretty much it. Children thrive when they have a Dad that plays with them, cuddles them, takes them out, helps them with homework and the list goes on and on. My husband is one of these Dads and while he never received paternity leave with our first child, he worked shifts and because I went back to school part-time he spent a of one on one time with our son and it made a huge difference.
Now before I get to off topic about something I am passionate about, this book does touch on the importance of paternity leave and the role of the Father but it is so much more than just this. I loved that Jerry was open with how others responded to him when he said he was going to take paternity leave. I would like to think things are different now but I can sadly here some of those same comments coming out of individuals mouths when a Dad wants to spend time with his child on paternity leave. The book also covers parenthood in general because whether you are Mom or Dad or both, parenting is hard!
Jerry covers parenthood from a whole new angle – from the view of the animal kingdom. We actually do have a lot in common with our furry animal kingdom both small and large (mostly – wouldn’t want parents eating their young!). There are a lot of lessons we can and should learn – like letting our child take their time to develop (they will get there), how to potty train and how to focus on the relationship first. I love that he gets his children involved and not only is this great for their building their relationship but education wise it is fantastic.
This was a well written book about Fatherhood and parenthood and the struggles we all face – whether it be parenting in general or society’s perception of how we should parent. It empowers parents to think outside of the box and to appreciate, respect and understand the many different ways we can parent and there is no real right or wrong (unless it is neglect). It was witty and fun with an edge of seriousness making it a great read for new parents and seasoned parents alike.
You can find more on his website and purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 4.5/5
About the Author
DR. JERRY CAMMARATA wrote the original The Fun Book of Fatherhood in the early 70s and went on to becoming a weekly columnist on parenting in New York. In 1979, he was appointed to the White House Conference on Families by President Carter, where he worked with Coretta Scott King, among others, on reshaping parenting issues in the U.S.
As a result of his activism in family issues throughout the 70s and 80s, as well as his commitment to public education, Dr. Cammarata was appointed by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to be the Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development, while also maintaining his position as a Member of the Central Board of Education of NYC (the same BOE which gave him his historic Paternity Leave). In this unique capacity, Dr. Cammarata was involved in the education of over 1 million public school students, as well as after school programs in community centers, schools and parks throughout the five boroughs of NYC.
Dr. Cammarata’s life has been filled with family and opportunity. Educated in both parochial and public schools. he received his college education at Hofstra University and did post-graduate work at NYU, CUNY and CCU. In addition to his doctorate from CCU, he holds honorary doctorates from Mercy College and Dowling College, and has enjoyed teaching privileges at CUNY, Wagner College, and St. Joseph‘s College. He is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist as well as a licensed and board-Certified Audiologist.
Over the last 45+ years, Dr. Cammarata has continued to write on children and parenting issues, while enjoying his grandchildren. He now enjoys his clinical and academic roots as the Chief Operating Officer, Dean of Student Affairs, and Associate Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, NY.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 9, 2018
The Truth About Us Book Review
In The Truth About Us, the present is built on the past. But what if your past is a lie?
About The Truth About Us
The present is built on the past. But what if your past is a lie?
When 18 yr old Abigail Bridges’ grandmother dies, she leaves behind a mysterious letter asking her to unravel a hidden family secret.
There is only one rule: tell no one.
But meeting strangers in the dark and receiving old journals dating back to the Holocaust isn’t what she bargained for. Neither is a chance encounter with the enigmatic, brown-eyed Kade Oliver, who makes her want to discard her usually reserved nature.
After a key clue goes missing, Abigail ignores her grandmother’s rule and tells Kade everything. Together, they begin to unravel a terrifying truth. The truth may set others free, but for Abigail, it will tear her family apart.
Now, she must decide between continuing to uncover her families’ lies or burying the past once and for all.
My Thoughts
This is a beautiful, heart warming and heart wrenching story of discovery, family, truth, lies and betrayal.
When the Grandmother whom Abigail has always had a close relationship with passes away, she is left heartbroken. She is the one who makes Abigail laugh, holds her close and in true GG style, leaves her a series of letter that sets her off on a quest to discover an important secret. The only stipulation – she only receives information as GG seems fit in a very specific order.
At first, Abigail doesn’t know what to believe – she is left with a letter and a journal, does she read it and accept her whole world will change? Or does she go on pretending life has never changed? Quite a tough task for someone so young! With the help of a friend whom she “accidentally” meets (you will have to read the book to get this pun!), she sets out on a risky mission to discover the truth which has ties to a WWII Nazi camp. Her mission is not for the faint of heart as she quickly discovers, as someone is trying to hide the truth and someone may have or most definitely has killed over the truth.
This is an amazing story from start to finish. You connect with Abby and feel for her with all of your heart. You can’t even begin to imagine yourself in her shoes and what you would do! Does she reveal the truth and destroy a few people but give peace and closure to a huge group of others? So difficult! This was a well written novel that I just could not put down, I loved every moment and had to finish it once I started it.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Tia Souders is the author of young adult novels MORE THAN A NUMBER and BETTER THAN THIS, as well as the women’s fiction novel WAITING ON HOPE. When she isn’t writing, she’s likely working with her hubby renovating their century home. She’s a wine-loving, coffeeholic with a sweet tooth and resides on a farm in rural Ohio with her husband and children.
She loves chatting about books and has always wanted to join a book club but her introverted self won’t let her. She loves connecting with readers, so reach out!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 5, 2018
Sitting at the Kitchen Table with God Book Spotlight
Sitting at the kitchen table, Marianne closed her eyes, and then she prayed that, today, she would die.
About Sitting at the Kitchen Table with God
Marianne had plenty of time on her hands to do nothing, so she decided to clean the placemats that she had collected over the past fifty years. Fifty years of a wonderful life together with her husband and best friend, Andrew. Fifty years that should have turned into sixty, but would not even turn into fifty-one.
Her wonderful Andrew was dead. Andrew…her friend and caretaker of her soul and mind and being. Loneliness, darkness, and guilt extended their hungry fingers out for Marianne, desperately trying to pull her even further into their world…a world with no escape. How could she live without her Andrew? She had been so sure that she would be the first one to die in this relationship. But now there was a stronger component to her loneliness and darkness that was starting to make its presence known to Marianne. Anger.
Anger had been a companion of Marianne’s for a very long time, but usually she had the ability to quiet its demand to be set free. This time, though, Marianne was not sure she would be able to control this anger. It was different somehow…stronger. She was afraid and weak. She had lost her faith in God, and she was so angry with Andrew for leaving her behind. Leaving her all alone in this dark, insane world. A world that was in such a hurry to go nowhere. A world that was in such a hurry to destroy everything in its path. Marianne was in its path, but this time she was alone. Sitting at the kitchen table, Marianne closed her eyes, and then she prayed that, today, she would die.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the Author
Sandi Smith spent her time as a young girl combing the shelves of the public library. She has always enjoyed the magic that books have to offer and was inspired by her high school English teacher, Mr. Coolidge to embrace the arts. The author found her calling as a writer early one morning as her first story came to her in the form of a poem. Since then she has written more than 15 children’s books, with her most popular series about the adventures of an adorable spider in the A.R. Achnid series.
Sandi is happily married to her inspiration and husband of 40 years, John. She continues to write for her two precious grandchildren. When she’s not penning a new story, Sandi and John like to camp, kayak and to enjoy the simple life in their home in Pembroke, NH.
You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour post, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 5, 2018
We Meet With Manners Book Spotlight
We Meet With Manners is all about being polite and respectful to people throughout the day.
About We Meet With Manners
We meet with manners is all about being polite and respectful to people throughout the day. From people you know to strangers passing by, simple kind gestures not only lift the spirits of others but for ourselves too. The pictures demonstrate sign language to assist with the early communication and development.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million.
About the Author
Cheryl Esposito has come from a corporate background and has since become a full time Mom with three children under 4 and an amazing husband. I have always enjoyed writing but my children are the one’s who inspired me to write about our everyday routines and family fundamentals. My husband provides me the support to believe in myself and never lose faith in who I am. I believe, if there is something you have always thought about doing, you should always follow through. Having children has given me one more reason to follow through. Sharing everything that is good in life is a reward by itself. I am blessed to be able to do just that. So please enjoy these books and I hope it can help your life with children be just a little bit easier.
You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 2, 2018
Your Home, Your Oasis – Keep it Fresh with Febreze Air Purifier
I love my home – I can not wait to come home from a busy day at work to throw off my shoes, get into comfy clothes and just unwind with my kids before we are back out the door for soccer practices. I know I am not alone in this, your home should be the one place in the world that is your special place where you can escape the craziness of life.
The only complaint I have?
Between two dogs and two active young boys, our home can become stinky and full of dust quite fast. There are weeks that I feel I can not keep up with the dust, dog dander and the smell from the soccer cleats (honestly – how is it even possible that cleats can become so stinky???).
But look at those adorable faces – I wouldn’t change it for anything even when you come home and have to clean before you can relax.
To top it off, both of my boys and myself have allergies and asthma which means we have to be extra careful in the home with dust and the dog dander. To combat the allergies and dog dander in the home and to prevent medical flare ups, we make sure that we follow the steps below:
- Limit the amount of carpet in the house. Our main floors and bedrooms are laminate which makes it easier to spot the dust and vacuum on a regular basis. I know this isn’t the most budget friendly option for every home but this has definitely helped us out as a family.
- Change dog bedding three times a week. Our eldest dog has a skin condition that I like to explain to others as similar to dandruff. Her skin is always itchy and she constantly scratches and pulls off layers of skin and fur. When she has a flare up, we have to be careful and ensure we are vacuuming her sleeping area and keeping her blankets clean to remove the flakes from the floor. For reasons that the vet can not explain, when she has these flare ups her skin also becomes oily and emits a foul smell.
- Chore charts to include our children in the dusting, vacuuming and dog walks. We have tried many different methods in the past but we found that recording their completion of chores on the fridge puts a competitive edge to their chores and helps get it done.
The number one item that we have introduced into our home to help improve air quality? A Febreze Air purifier.
This air filter comes in three sizes (table top, mini tower and tower) and has the ability to trap up to 99% of the most common airborne particles like dust, pollen and pet dander with the added bonus of the famous Febreze scents.
We used the tower for the toughest area in our home, the living room, and the table top for the bedroom. Once you have decided on the most appropriate size for the area, set up is extremely easy. We literally pulled the system out, removed the taping, inserted the filter and Febreze cartridge and the unit was ready to go.
We noticed a marked improvement in as little as a day – when the units were operating you didn’t notice the smell from our dogs and the dust didn’t bother us, the air quality in our home was greatly improved. When you forgot to turn the units on and came home, the smells and air quality hit you like a wall (for me I feel it the worst in my sinuses with instant sinus pain, sneezing and irritation).
You can choose from three air cleaning settings on the unit, we had a personal preference for the highest setting for a good portion of the day and using the middle setting at night. The setting choice would come down to how tough the area is with the air particles and smell, since our family spends a great amount of time in our living room and on the main floor – we needed the strongest setting to combat the smells and dust/pet dander. The same applies to the scent setting, you can choose how strong you want the Febreze scent to be. The units are discreet and can be placed in any room without distracting from your décor.
Are you fighting dust and indoor particles? Use my tips above and check out this helpful video that provides you with additional steps to keep your living room clean, fresh and free from airborne particles:
How do you help control and eliminate airborne particles in your home and keep your home smelling fresh?
Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.