This being my second time around the ol’ pregnancy block, I didn’t feel a great need to read all the pregnancy books out there.  But that could be that I read EVERY pregnancy book available the first time around.  My nightstand housed every Girlfriend’s Guide, I read how to get Baby Wise and have The Happiest Baby on the Block, and What to Expect When You’re Expecting was my bible, which I religiously studied daily.  Now that I’ve been through it all before, I feel pretty confident on what to expect when baby number two makes her big appearance.   But that’s not to say I haven’t struggled with how I will handle certain inevitable changes that are about to take place.  Perhaps my biggest focus this time around is how I will balance being a mother to two under two with my work and career aspirations.

So on a recent trip to the bookstore, I made my usual rounds which includes a swing down the parenting aisle and was delighted to find a pregnancy/new baby book that I hadn’t read!  Not only that, it looked like a fabulous read.  I was so looking forward to taking The Working Gal’s Guide to Babyville: Your Must-Have Manual for Life with Baby home to devour.

Devour it is exactly what I did.  As an avid reader, I have a tendency to plow through books in a day or two, especially if they are a good read, and The Working Gal’s Guide to Babyville was just that.  This book covers a long list of topics including some of the basics like newborn survival tips and the secrets to a happy baby (I’ll admit, I skimmed through these chapters), but the true essence of this book is how to balance career with new motherhood.  It looks at the many options available for women today, from going back to work full-time to staying home full-time, part-timing, freelancing, job sharing, and everything in between.  I found it not only informative, but it inspired me to find a way to balance my career goals with my most important role of being a mom.

If you are looking for a little guidance in this area, whether you’re expecting, a new mom, or even an experienced mom, I think The Working Gal’s Guide to Babyville offers some great insight.  Author Paige Hobey, a contributing writer for Parenting and Chicago Parent, has written an enjoyable and useful guide and I am happy to give it the Peekaboo Picks seal of approval.

Pick up your copy at amazon.com.

1. Stephanie Says:
   February 11th, 2008 at 3:03 am

   I just read this book too and it’s fantastic! A very handy resource for new moms! I’m actually surprised it hasn’t gotten more press…