Life as a Mommy book News Release

SW

For Immediate Release…

Moms Need The Support Of Their Fellow Moms

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Unlike the days when a woman’s mother, grandmother, or aunt supported her parenting
endeavors, many moms today find themselves alone. This was Cathy Spigarelli’s situation. She struggled to raise
three children far from any female relative in a city where she knew no one. Add to that a husband who worked long
hours and the overwhelming demands of living in today’s society and it is no wonder that she felt isolated and
unsupported. Unfortunately, Ms. Spigarelli is not an exception. Many mothers today can relate to her predicament.
Where can these moms get the support they so desperately need? From their fellow moms. In the book, Life as a
Mommy, moms will find just such support from author, Cathy Spigarelli.

Conversations with playgroup moms inspired the writing of Life as a Mommy. The stories, thoughts, and feelings
detailed in each entry were all topics of discussion with fellow, playgroup moms. As a result, mom readers will feel as
though they are a part of Ms. Spigarelli’s playgroup. Readers will be reassured that their feelings and experiences
are normal and that the problems and concerns they have are shared by all moms. Moms will see themselves in this
book. Life as a Mommy encourages fellow moms, suggests ways that moms can help one another, offers mom-to-
mom advice, provides parenting insight, ponders life as a mom, and celebrates the motherhood journey.

Each and every day for an entire year, Ms. Spigarelli wrote about daily life with her three, young children, ages 2, 4,
and 6, revealing her triumphs and struggles, her joy and laughter, and her dilemmas and concerns about
motherhood. The 365 compact entries have a girlfriend-to-girlfriend, conversational tone and end with a take-home
message—an insight, advice, or something for fellow moms to ponder. Life as a Mommy fills the void in support
faced by so many moms today.

Through twelve years of parenting, Cathy Spigarelli has learned moms need other moms for advice, reassurance,
suggestions, and camaraderie. Through her years of motherhood, she has sought support by reading countless
parenting books, participating in parenting classes, and banding together a group of fellow moms to form a
playgroup in her neighborhood. Ms. Spigarelli does not claim to be a parenting “expert”…just a mom with the belief
that “moms need the support of their fellow moms.”

Life as a Mommy is available for $15.95 at www.cathyspig.com and other online bookstores. It is also available by
mail with check or money order (to Life as a Mommy, 158 Cavil Way, De Pere, WI 54115).

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Life as a Mommy: Insight, Advice, & Ponderings of a Typical Mom by Cathy Spigarelli. First edition: 6 x 9, 251 pages.
ISBN 1-59858-124-4. $15.95. Publication: Spring 2006.

What is the book about?

Life as a Mommy is about every day, real-life parenting. In the book, author Cathy Spigarelli explores the daily life
of a mom with three, young children, then ages 2, 4, and 6. The 365 compact entries, each with a
girlfriend-to-girlfriend, conversational tone, can be read in minutes and without guilt, and end with a take-home
message--an insight, advice, or something for fellow moms to ponder.

Why is the book important?

Life as a Mommy provides a window into the world of motherhood. Through this window, fellow moms will find a
sense of camaraderie, common purpose, and that they are not alone as they take this challenging journey.
Support, encouragement, and validation are what moms will find in Life as a Mommy.

Who would be interested in the book?

Mothers, moms-to-be, grandmothers, and hopefully fathers who wish to understand the life of their spouse in her
role as a mom. The book makes an excellent new mom/baby shower gift.

How is the book different from other books on the subject?

Life as a Mommy is different than most parenting books in that it was written by an actual mom about her
experiences as a mom, in real time, and about real feelings.

Why was the book written?

Over the years, I have read countless parenting books, but I typically could not see myself within their pages or
relate my real-life parenting experiences to them. Often times the advice and tools offered seemed unrealistic,
forced, and unnatural. I have found that the most useful advice comes from asking other moms what they did in a
given parenting situation. Discussing issues with fellow moms has been a far more useful and realistic way to find
solutions to parenting problems.

I originally began writing to record a year of memories for my family, but I found that the things I was writing were
topics of playgroup discussions. I wondered if my writing could be of help and interest to other moms. I decided to
share what I have learned with other moms, in the hopes of making their journey through motherhood a bit easier.

Motherhood can be a lonely endeavor and can be quite isolating without the support of family and friends. Even
with family near by, only mom can breast feed the baby in the middle of the night. Therefore, she faces certain
dilemmas alone. It is encouraging to read that other moms have similar experiences. Also, moms may be afraid to
ask others for help or advice. They don't want to appear incompetent or reveal what they think are their
inadequacies. A book written by a fellow mom might help them make it through the tough and lonely times.

Hook?

Moms need the help and support of their fellow moms.

What is the book's format?

Because a busy mom wrote the book, Life as a Mommy has a format that will suit busy mom readers. It is divided
into daily entries, each piece being 1/2 - 2 pages in length and ending in a take-home message.

Why should a fellow mom read the book?

* Motherhood can feel isolating. Readers will know that they are not alone doing this extraordinary job.
* Readers will understand the difficulty and intensity of the work faced by moms, as well as the rewards. The job
deserves respect.
* Readers will find peer support and parenting ideas.
* Readers will find we are in this together; your problems and issues are not unique.
* Moms will gain insight into motherhood, catch a glimpse of what lies ahead, and understand reality versus
fiction/daydreams.
* Moms may find solutions to every day dilemmas.
* Readers will laugh at the funny things kids do and the exhausting situations that test our patience.
* Readers will feel supported.
* Readers will understand that all moms have similar problems. Just knowing this helps.

What parenting issues are covered in the book?

A wide range of parenting issues are covered: potty training, sleep deprivation, lack of patience, gaining a child's
cooperation, driving with kids, shopping with kids, traditions, independence, enlisting help, finding support, the
choice to stay home or work, great places to take kids, 3 vs. 2 kids, naps, one-on-one time, teaching kindness,
snow days, noise intolerance, security objects, mom's bad behavior, cursing, thinking long-term, support of a
spouse, choosing battles, time to one's self, mommy-do-it, do-overs, boredom, family meetings, anger, taking
breaks, sharing a bed, sibling fights, consignment stores, excesses, trusting your gut instinct, and more.

Why was I the right person to write the book?

I am a typical mom with three kids. I am an avid reader of parenting books, have tested their advice along the way,
taken parenting courses, spent much time talking through parenting problems with other moms, and have found
that friends and neighbors ask me for parenting advice on a regular basis. I understand that there is a market for
this book for I have lived it; I was an unsupported mom. I would have gobbled this book up if it had existed during
my years of need.

Life as a Mommy encourages fellow moms, suggests ways that moms can help one another, offers
mom-to-mom advice, provides parenting insight, ponders life as a mom, and celebrates the motherhood
journey.