Mother Talk book review: Mama Rock's Rules

I had to review this book.

No, no one forced me. I read the description and I absolutely HAD TO REVIEW THIS BOOK. Because just based upon the description? Mama Rock was not only going to be my best friend forever, she was going to be a mentor, an inspiration, and the type of mother I aspire to be.

Rose Rock, the book's author, might have a familiar last name. She is the mother of Chris Rock, the comedian. And a whole lot of other children who are equally mentioned throughout this book. Ten kids. Seventeen foster children. For that reason alone? The woman is a hero.

Then? I read the book. And oh my gravy. I love her.

Rose Rock's advice is very simple. None of it groundbreaking. None of it is amazing. And perhaps? That's the most amazing part of it. Because it IS so simple. Because it IS common sense. And because it IS WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR.

There are ten lessons that Rock gives for raising a household of successful children. I won't tell them all, because I really think you should buy this book, but some of my favorites were:

-Don't Lie Down with Anything You Don't Want to Live with Forever.
I mean, how simple can it get? Don't freaking sleep around!

-Feed them and They Will Tell you Anything.
Eat with your kids! All together! At the table! It's not rocket science!

I love how the book was woven with personal stories. Rock relates a story of not having the money for a special Thanksgiving lunch at school and how her teacher shamed her for it. I felt tears coming to my eyes for this proud little girl, who became a wonderful woman and teacher. I, also, believe strongly that shame is not a motivator.

I loved the special recipes she gave for biscuits (I make them the same way!) and Smothered Chicken. She talked about her late husband with respect and love. The recounting of his memories? Absolutely beautiful. A true love story, within a book about motherhood.

I really wish I could give a copy of this book to numerous friends of mine, who are new mothers. And some who have been mothers for a while. And heck, some people I see at the park who's children are clearly on the path to not turning out. I think often we get caught up in trying so hard to be friends with our children and respect our children's feelings and all to often we see the children on Maury Povich and those crap shows being disrespectful and acting out because we as parents are afraid to hurt their feelings or we want them to have more than we had when we were children. No one can guarantee how any child will come out, but we can certainly have dinner with them. We can know their friends. We can make sure they know they are loved and cared for, and we can redirect them when they are wrong.

I love this book. I. Love. This. Book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone you know who is a mother or who wants to be a mother. Maybe they aren't a new mother. Maybe, like me, they've been practicing this for a while. It never hurts to have a refresher. This book is so worth reading.

You can buy the book here. It would make an excellent Mother's Day gift.

And see what other mom's are saying at MotherTalk.