As of right now, I am not a parent. I am not an expecting parent either. That might change someday and I will be better for it thanks to Expectant Parents by Suzanne Gosselin. I’ll be better because there are conversations that I am more prepared for than I was before this book. I’ll be better because there are situations and preparations that are now on the radar for me. I’ll be better because I have been exposed to the dark and scary side of what pregnancy can do to a marriage. No, I do not have all of the answers and I’d be a fool to think that I did. But I do think that this book is the next best thing to sitting down and working through these topics with a friend or family member who has been there themselves.
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I will not give an exhaustive list by any means of what this book contains. You just want to know if it is a good fit for you or a friend anyways! In Expectant Parents, Suzanne Gosselin (undoubtedly with much insight from her husband) approaches issues of pregnancy that I wouldn’t ever think to consider, such as how to maintain a social life, how to endure the emotions and hormones of pregnancy, how to deal with the physicality of pregnancy and many, many more points.
Whether you and your husband are on the verge of considering having children, whether you’re in the midst of the storm, or whether you know somebody else who is, I would strongly consider you and your husband (or your friend’s husband if you’re gifting it) dig into Expectant Parents (and yes, I just said that guys should read it too!).
Expectant Parents: Preparing Together for the Journey of Parenthood Focus on the Family
Many books focus on prenatal development and the health of a mom-to-be. While Expectant Parents does touch on important issues of pregnancy, its core purpose is help expectant parents understand key issues related to the arrival of a new child in the home, offering practical assistance as they prepare themselves for long-term family success.
It’s often said that babies don’t come with an instruction manual. This book actually provides parents with information and practical steps for writing their own—as they work to create the kind of home and family they choose to build. This includes strengthening their own marriage relationship, setting plans and expectations for parenthood, increasing communication, and preparing for the new stage of their family life that is just ahead. Ideal for first-time parents, this book would also be helpful for couples wanting to explore and prepare for the emotional, physical, and spiritual life changes that come with the arrival of any new child into the family.
