She's every parents best friend - Ann Douglas, parenting expert, author of 29 books and creator of The Mother of All Books ® series. This July she releases a second edition of her popular book The Mother of All Pregnancy Books.
Ann is also the mother of four children (aged 14 to 22). Her career and family experience has made her an amazing resource for parenting info - that's why we are so lucky to have her as our very first "Parenting Expert." Each week, starting July 2011, we will profiling a Very Important Parent. In addition to giving you a glimpse at their life - their work, family and values - we will be giving you the opportunity to ask the expert anything you want! Just visit our Facebook page to post your question. Check out this link to learn how to ask a question. And read below to learn more about Ann.
CHECK OUT ANN'S ANSWERS TO YOUR PARENTING QUESTIONS.
BIO:
Ann Douglas is "The Mother of All" parenting experts - author of 29 books and creator of The Mother of All Books ® series. She has had an amazing career as a parenting expert - through her writing and speaking engagements she has provided parents with invaluable information on how to navigate each step of parenthood from pregnancy on! She is a magazine writer, online journalist, author, and copywriter. She also speaks at conferences and trade shows, consults on the development of editorial products and marketing campaigns, and volunteers with both local and national non-profit organizations. The mother of four children she means it when she says, she's been there!
10 QUESTIONS:
Describe your career and life in a few words.
I've been lucky. I've been able to achieve my dreams of becoming a writer and a mother.
Website/Twitter name/Facebook
www.having-a-baby.com
Twitter: @anndouglas + @themotherofall
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themotherofallbooks
Finish this sentence: Its 5 o'clock and I am ...
Wondering what my husband is making for dinner. He is the chef around here.
What's the parent-motto you live by?
"This too shall pass." Each stage has its unique joys and its unique challenges. This mantra reminds me not to get too bogged down by the challenges and not to wish this stage away because its unique joys shall pass with it.
Who's your favourite model parent? Why?
I don't know anyone who is a model parent, even though I love and admire a lot of parents.
Name your favourite kid-welcoming hangout?
Parks. Beaches. Friends' houses. Places that don't cost anything to visit and where spills are welcome as opposed to merely tolerated.
Think back to your baby and diaper bag days, what was the one piece of gear that was always good to go?
Diapers. (We're talking bare essentials, right?)
If CSI poured over your diaper bag what profile would they build?
Minimalist.
What is your biggest on-the-go pet peeve?
Places that charge parents for things that used to be (and that should be) free, like water.
Places that don't understand that when a toddler or preschooler needs to use the washroom, there is no time to negotiate or debate store policies about customer access to washroom facilities. The correct answer to any such inquiry is, "The washroom is right over there."
Whats your number one piece of advice for new parents?
It's actually a three-parter. "Talk to your friends. Do you homework. Make the decision that feels right for you."
