Becoming a Mother, Remembering Your Self
(by Anet Ahern)

There are loads of childcare books out there. Books on breastfeeding, introducing solids, establishing routines etc etc. And yet, what do pregnant or new moms talk about when they get together with other moms? Themselves! Anet Ahern, CEO of Sanlam Multi-Manager International, found a dearth of books focussed in a non-prescriptive way on the latter. And so, when she had her first child at the age of 39, she wrote her own - Becoming a Mother, Remembering Your Self, aimed specifically at you, the mom.

The book is filled with practical advice about:

• Choosing a childminder
• Taking time out to be with your partner
• How to include your partner in childcare
• Preparing to go back to work
• Getting your ‘house’ in order (insurance policies, will etc)
• Accumulating a maternity and post-maternity working wardrobe
• Taking time out for hairdos and facials
• Books to read
• Diet and exercise before and after birth
• Choosing from a list of helpful specialists including gynae, midwife, doula, lactation consultant, dietician, massage therapist, podiatrist, personal trainer, maternity nurse, night nurse …

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Anet is also a columnist and freelance writer.
Essentially a business woman, Anet’s book is aimed at likeminded working women.

What I liked about the book:

• Anet’s opening chapter entitled ‘Doing it your way’. Advice from different people is often conflicting. Books and methods can be prescriptive. Essentially, every mother must make her own way with her own baby.
  
• Anet’s honesty. Often we feel obliged to say the ‘right’ things and yet feel the ‘wrong’ things inside. It helps to know other mothers feel the same. What I didn’t like about the book: The ‘Getting Organised’ chapter. Too prescriptive!

By Brenda Daniels