Sliding Into Motherhood Book Review
By : hikingthrulife

I love the above passage from Gabrielle in her book because anything related to “paths” or “journeys” ties so perfectly with parenting and Hiking Thru Life. I was even more inspired when I read her blog post Today We Celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week. I am on a breastfeeding journey with Rory right now. It’s not the same as Gabrielle’s but there’s no doubt our paths are crossing in the breastfeeding journey.

Since I kept a diary throughout my own pregnancy, I thought why not read someone else’s diary of their pregnancy experience. I wanted to do this because I know not everyone had as breezy of pregnancy as me. It helps keep me “in check” of being overly boastful about my fairly easy pregnancy and works as a reminder that all bodies are created differently. The moment I started reading Gabrielle Riggins Sliding Into Motherhood: Life lessons from a “Bad” mom I knew it was going to be an experience to help give perspective to the reader. In her acknowledgment, she states “Following Life by the book does not always equate to perfection and behind the rules, a little does not equate to being flawed.” I love this statement so much because how many parents out there doubt themselves at some point? She couldn’t have stated it more precisely that there is no such thing as perfect parenting.

I also love that this is written from the perspective of a mother who is not in a stable relationship yet with the child’s father, rather working on it. It shows perspective into what many mothers go through but she had a very mature approach with her son’s father towards the entire situation of pregnancy into motherhood. While living at her mother’s during the week she went to the baby’s fathers on the weekends. The book also works as a reminder that pregnancy and birth do not go as planned.

The entire book is written in such raw form. On page 28 shortly before she goes to the hospital for her C-section she writes “Nausea became unbearable. My mouth was watering so much. My head felt as if someone was doing demolition work on my forehead.” What a raw moment pregnant mothers go through. When I try to think of a moment such as this in my pregnancy, I think only of my time in the labor room during contractions before I had an epidural. Like Gabrielle, I read many horror stories of what could go wrong in pregnancy. It seems that when you have a C-section like Gabrielle, you don’t even have time to second guess or think but rather just react in fear.  “Every fear regarding epidurals played in my head waiting for them to stick the needle in my back.” I know exactly that feeling. I aligned with her and reflected upon the millions of horror stories I read about epidurals too. Her story, and mine, are reminders to women out there that not all epidurals end up in horror stories. To work through my own mind and fears I used Yoga and Hypnobirthing podcasts. That was not in my birth plan, just like a C-section was not in Gabrielle’s. She emphasizes many times in her book that it’s important to make the best decision for YOU. Chapter 6 of the book is titled “But the book says.” I was reminded of how scared I was to co-sleep with Rory because of the books. Well, guess what? I am doing it now when Rory wakes up in the middle of the night. Gabrielle did it with her son too.  I have doubted myself in the co-sleeping because of the books so reading this was humorous, yet also just what I needed to read. I love Chapter 6 also because it’s a reminder for parents NOT to compare their child to the books. Being an Early Childhood Educator, I could tell a parent all the things their child “should” be doing in a classroom but not all children develop the same. Preschoolers are not robots, and neither are babies! Enjoy the stage your child is in! This is not to say to not be worried about certain developmental areas but to Gabrielle’s point do not freak out if your child is not saying mama or walking by the “books” milestone suggestions. As the book goes on, her son Jayden goes through different ages and stages. Potty training, teaching routines, being the “mean” parent and instilling tough love. The perspective she shares is insightful and something all parents could benefit from because, in the end, we are raising tiny humans. In the end, these babies will grow and go off into the world on their own. She writes “Just like us our kids will make mistakes and just like us they have to learn from them.” The letter to her son Jayden at the end was extremely raw and emotional. It included giving him advice on how to handle situations because he looks “different” than other children. It’s real to the sad times of raising children in a world of racism. 

"I want you to know that you were born into a world where there may be times people will look at you differently because of who you are. Listen to mommy when I tell you this next thing. You are not a statistic, a thug, or just some little black boy. You are a gift from God who was blessed with parents and family who love you."

This book is exactly what I needed to read as a new mom adjusting to a new life. It’s so relatable and I think as new parents, especially new moms, something to relate to is so important to know you are not alone, even in the darkest days and nights of new motherhood and postpartum. For all new moms, and dads out there, this book is extremely raw, real, emotional and it will bring you on the journey of one parent’s perspective.  If you aren’t sure about the book yet, check out Gabrielle’s blog which emphasizes the importance of mental health on the parenting journey.

"You don't lose your life becoming a mom, you gain a new one." -Gabrille Riggins

3 thoughts on “Sliding Into Motherhood Book Review”

  1. It is a great and informative book but Isn’t the book called Sliding Into Motherhood by Gabrielle Riggins?

  2. Very inviting review, even though I am beyond childbearing age. I love the genuine rawness of Gabrielle’s statements. The pictures are great too.

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