Tag Archives: Books

A Conversation with Master Life Coach, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino & Her New Book “The Success Guidebook”

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with Elizabeth Hamilton- Guarino today. Elizabeth is a Master Life Coach and the Founder of the Best Ever You Network. We spoke about many things including Elizabeth’s new book, “The Success Guidebook” available on Amazon.

Check out the video below to hear every word of our fascinating and inspiring conversation. Let me know what you thought in the comments.


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Lindsey & Leslie Glass LIVE – “The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover”

Join Me Today at 2pm est LIVE with Lindsey & Leslie Glass about their New Book, “The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover -A Memoir and Self-Help Book to Repair The Bond Between Mothers and Daughters #LeslieGlass #LindseyGlass #MommyRamblingsBlog

Check out “The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover – 4 Steps to Bring Back the Love” on Amazon. Join us live to interact and ask questions.


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“Our New World of Adult Bullies – How To Spot Them – How To Stop Them” By Bill Eddy

Join me today when I speak live to Bill Eddy. Bill is the Chief Innovation Officer at the High Conflict Institute of San Diego, California. Bill trains judges, lawyers, therapists, and mediators across the United States and 12 other countries in managing high-conflict family, workplace, and legal disputes.

Mr. Eddy is the author of over twenty books and manuals and has a popular blog on PsychologyToday.com

Listen to our conversation about Bill Eddy’s newest book- “Our New World of Adult Bullies – How To Spot Them – How To Stop Them” You can order the book HERE


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Interview with Author, Rebecca Anne Nguyen

Check out my video interview with author, Rebecca Anne Nguyen about her new book “The 23rd Hero” which is due to be released August 13th. You can pre-order the book on Amazon.

Check out Rebecca’s first book she wrote with her brother, “Where War Ends: A Combat Veteran’s 2,700-Mile Journey to Heal” ― Recovering from PTSD and Moral Injury through Meditation. You can order the book on Amazon.


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Help Your Kids Get More Out of Reading With VOOKS and Giveaway #VooksMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #vooks #betterscreentime #vookspartner

Storybooks brought to life. Better screen time.

As a mom who loves books, it seemed natural that my kids would love them too. I love reading to my kids and started in utero. I have many memories through the years with my kids that include the books we shared at those times. As the mother of 5, I know that sometimes kids can view reading as a chore or it can be like pulling teeth to get them into it. I am very excited to let you know that VOOKS may be the answer you are looking for to get your kids excited about reading.

 

VOOKS brings children’s books to life with animated illustrations, read along text and narrated story. The ad-free platform features a variety of titles that engage students all across the world. VOOKS s is trusted by parents and loved by teachers. Over one million kids are using VOOKS and that number is growing. There are hundreds of books available and new titles are added every week.

 

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VOOKS will allow your children to experience story books like never before.  Your child can enjoy VOOKS books online or you can stream them and enhance the experience. VOOKS even offers a free first year of books to teachers and educators of public schools, private schools, and preschool programs worldwide!

 

VOOKS Lesson Plans help parents and teachers extend the learning beyond each storybook. Each Lesson Plan provides themes, summaries, talking points, discussion topics, activity ideas and even vocabulary cards. Wow, what a great way to expand learning for your kids! VOOKS strengthens literacy and vocabulary & promotes independent learning!

 

If you would like to try VOOKS with your child, you can  try VOOKS free for 30 days! Go to VOOKS to sign up!

 

GIVEAWAY

 

VOOKS is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky Mommy Ramblings reader will win a one year-long subscription to VOOKS! Thanks to VOOKS for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Enter below for your chance to win.
Many thanks to Vooks for providing this product/product information for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

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“Will You Be My Friend?” Book Review and Giveaway

Who does not love Big and Little Nutbrown Hare? They are the sweetest things and you are sure to know them from Guess How Much I Love You? Well, I have wonderful news if you love them as much as I do. Will You Be My Friend? is the delightful sequel by legendary author and illustrator duo Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram.

Little Nutbrown Hare is out exploring on his own. Off he hops along the path and through the grass until he reaches Cloudy Mountain, where something extraordinary happens: he discovers a new friend! Now the fun can really begin. Twenty-five years after we met the Nutbrown Hares, this enchanting new tale about friendship is bound to capture the hearts of Guess How Much I Love You fans—and everyone else—the world over.

The beautiful and charming illustrations in this book just make me smile from ear to ear. It is the sweetest book to share with the children and grandchildren in your life. This book makes a perfect gift for expectant parents as well. It is never too early to introduce children to books. I read to my children in utero.

We are thrilled to announce that we are having a giveaway for one copy of this hardcover book. You can read the rules and enter for your chance to win below.

Will You Be My Friend? Hardcover Book Giveaway

Candlewick Press  is sponsoring this giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Will You Be My Friend! Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing me a copy of this book and for providing a book for the giveaway winner! Open to US Residents. Good Luck.

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These Are My Earth Day Book Picks for April 22nd

If you know me, you know I love books. Earth day is coming up. on April 22nd.  I enjoy sharing books with my kids. Check out my picks for this Earth Day and any day. These books are full of information about plants, trees, fungi and ways kids can keep the planet clean and healthy.

Check out my book  list below and watch the video for an in-depth look into the titles I have chosen.

Mommy Ramblings’ Earth Day Book Picks:

  1. Kids Fight Plastic
  2. Bruno The Beekeeper
  3. Zee Grows A Tree
  4. A World of Plants 
  5. Creature Features Oceans
  6. Fungiarium 


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“Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess” Book Blog Tour & Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One Lucky blog reader will win their own copy of Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess! Thank you to the publisher for sponsoring this blog tour and giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. I was sent a review book to facilitate my review. Giveaway is open to US Residents.
Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!

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7 Things No One Tells You About Blended Family Life

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review. My words and views are 100% my own as always.

Living in the Family Blender ~ Book Review #blendedfamilyproject #MySillyLittleGang

Movies like, Yours, Mine and Ours, and shows like, The Brady Bunch  showed blended families. The Brady Bunch certainly did not focus much on the blended part of the family. Never did I see an episode with the kids being shuffled to another parent’s house. In fact, we really never learned where Carol’s first husband was. It was assumed both ex-spouses died. That certainly sanitized things for the show right? Well, blended families are becoming more the norm now, and the merging of families is certainly not sanitized as many parents and step-parents know.

If only there was a guide-book. Well, there is, Living in the Family Blender is filled with inspiration and insight. If you are struggling with this, this book can be a valuable resource to help you navigate through what could be a tumultuous journey.

 

Living in the Family Blender is a great book that tackles the stress and sticky situations blended families face. This book is filled with real-life, personal accounts that make it easy for other to relate with. Finally, find out you are not alone in what you feel and see. Learn strategies and get advice from a wonderful couple who understand the challenges you are facing. You can have harmony, well, at least some of the time.

You can purchase Living in the Family Blender: 10 Principles of a Successful Blended Family at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite major retailer.

Blended Family Insiders:

Seven Things No One Tells You About Blended Family Life

 

By Clark Rich and Leah Dee Burbidge

Fourteen years in the family blender has brought us a nearly non-stop series of insights, challenges, shocks, joy and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful nearly from scratch. Six of our most valuable, but frequently unspoken, learnings are listed below.

Keep in mind that a lot of the challenges of blended family life will sound familiar. But they play out with different dynamics because blended families and individuals have perspective, experience and insight that gives them a fragile mix of volatility, skepticism and wisdom. Respecting these dynamics dramatically increases the probability of success. Ignoring them nearly always spirals the family into soul crushing train wrecks.

Nobody Talks About It. Our dating and marriage experience revealed shockingly little available blended family ‘How To’ guidance. Pop culture, literature, movies and media produced a wasteland of mostly useless stereotypes. Family and friends seemed uncomfortable discussing the reality we faced. The elephant was in the room, but the conversation always tended to migrate toward the reasons people find themselves suddenly single. Divorce, death and abandonment are uncomfortable topics. We found taking the lead in turning the conversation toward positive aspects allowed more constructive interactions.

First Steps Determine Results. Success in the family blender is most often determined by how a couple structures their personal relationship and their interaction with the children from the beginning. Casual, careless, loosely committed and primarily physically driven relationships almost never have sufficient strength to withstand the blender. Children won’t buy-in if they think it’s going to lead to another let-down. Blended family life requires an undeniably higher standard and level of commitment. Children get this, parent must also.

Blended Families Done Right Save Souls. We have devoted an entire chapter in our book to the statistical benefits for children by being part of a two-parent family (blended or otherwise). There is no question that such children have dramatically better chances of building a healthy foundation enabling them to be successful in life. Lower rates of poverty, drug abuse, problems with the law or in school, unemployment, depression and general acting out behaviors are well researched. That is not to say there aren’t successful single parents, but it pays to play the odds where you can.

Start Where Your Child Is. Parents cannot start with a child where they are supposed to be or where you think they are but ARE NOT. This dooms your efforts to unrealistic expectations, falling short and builds a culture of regular failure and disappointment. Parents must ‘listen to understand’ and patiently respect what they learn. You will come to appreciate where they believe they are in life and in the family. Once you know where they are then every step is automatically a success because it is a re-enforcing step forward.

The Bio-Compass. There is an especially deep and natural relationship that exists between the bio-parent and their child. This is okay. The non-bio parent will, over time, be allowed to earn their way into that space. However, there will be moments when only the bio-parent can address the child’s needs, trauma or struggle. The non-bio parent must patiently step back, but remain in the picture and supportive, and allow their spouse to take the lead. This is why prideful or selfish attitudes struggle with blended parenthood. It absolutely demands selflessness. Respecting this relationship always wins in the long-term.

You Are Not Alone. Because it is not a social topic of conversation does not mean it isn’t common. Research illustrates that a sizable majority of Americans are touched by blended family life in one way or another. They understand you are not broken. This is especially true of single parents. Rest assured there is an individual out there with a healthy, kind outlook who can understand your complex family situation and love you and your children unconditionally. Both single and blended parents can experience happier more fulfilling lives.

It Is Worth It. Blended family life can be rewarding, exciting and fulfilling. Seeing these tender souls, who were once so wounded, blossom with love and kindness in their own increasingly productive lives is worth every struggle, every late night, every heartfelt conversation, every tear and every prayer. Most of all know that you are good enough to be successful.

Clark and Leah live in the high mountain valleys of the Rockies where they enjoy their ever-expanding blended family of ten children and seven grandchildren. They enjoy travel, hiking, road and mountain biking, and serving in their community and church. Clark received a BS in Finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from the University of Southern California and spent 35 years traveling the world as a banker, investment banker and Chief Financial Officer. Leah earned an Associate Degree from Ricks College and what arguably could be considered a doctoral-level real-life education in blended families. Clark and Leah treasure their blended wild ride of 14 years together, firmly believing that any challenge is manageable when you have someone you love to walk beside.

Living in the Family Blender is Clark and Leah’s first book together, but Clark has been writing for years with 9 books in different genres including Middle Reader, Teen and YA fiction, adult non-fiction and a beautiful Christmas/Easter Family read together storybook.

2019 Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medal Winner

Blended family issues impact the vast majority of Americans. Yet, society often sidesteps the topic, while literature leaves a bleak landscape nearly void of practical advice from those who have lived in the trenches. With over 68 combined years of direct blended family experience, including 14 years with their own family of 10children, authors Clark and Leah Burbidge are uniquely qualified to fill this void. Their combined autobiographical/how-to guidebook weaves a humorous, tender, uplifting, and critically insightful fabric of 10foundational principles upon which any family may confidently build. Every blended family can have happier, more fulfilling lives where disruption, disorientation, and contention are replaced by teamwork, progress, and overcoming-oriented achievement. Living in the Family Blender also provides practical guidance upon which any family may build better relationships and a life filled with joy and purpose. Join them on their personal journey and discover glorious possibilities in your own family.

 

 

 

 

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“More For Mom: Living Your Whole and Holy Life “

Overwhelmed is a word that many mothers are well acquainted with. There was a time when I would utter that word daily to express how I was feeling. However, our society makes us feel that we should not be feeling that way. It tells us we should be able to have it all and tie it up in a bow. That just is not reality, and leaves many moms feeling that they are alone and failing. The most important thing to know, is that you are not alone and you are a great mom.

When life seems to be coming at you faster than you can handle, there is a way to reset your spiritual and emotional health.  More for Mom will encourage women to stop believing the lie that more is needed from them, and start living with the truth that more is available for them.

"More For Mom"

With real-life talk, humor and convicting biblical truths, Kristin Funston helps hard-working mamas to look at each day and each facet of their life to discover what happens when they believe God has more for them than what they think the world needs from them.

And what He has available is a whole and holy life, just waiting to be claimed–a salvation and day-to-day reality complete just as it is. The pieces of each mom’s life–the work life, mom life, social life, etc.–are mended together through Christ to complete her one whole life, set apart because of Him.

This book is a stepping stone to help working mothers reset their spiritual and emotional health, habits, and relationship with God. There are performance pressures at work, home, and mind-sets that affect a mom’s ability to feel complete and live more closely aligned with God. This book includes the beginning steps for moms to walk in wholeness and holiness by asking God for more.

About the Author

Kristin_Funston

With a passion for writing, Kristin Funston encourages women in a way that is relatable and practical, with a healthy dose of humor. She is a member and employee of Hope Presbyterian Church and works as the Marriage and Family Coordinator and a leader in the women’s ministry. She is also a regular contributor to multiple blogs including The Better Mom, City Moms Blog, TODAY Parenting, and Scary Mommy. Funston resides outside of Memphis, TN with her husband and three daughters. She has a master’s degree in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University. You can find out more about her at KristinFunston.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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