Melina Gerosa Bellows was battling severe post-partum depression after the birth of her second child when a friend reassured her, “Things will get better. You’re just at the hardest part.” When that same friend offered her some practical, encouraging ideas for finding the fun in motherhood, Gerosa Bellows realized she had been suffering from a serious fun deficiency and perhaps even looking at motherhood all wrong. She was inspired to send out “an SOS email” to other friends, asking for advice. The responses she got helped her shift perspective. She started to realize that parenthood isn’t all responsibility and sacrifice. It’s also license to play—and a great excuse to get out of housework! After conquering her depression, Gerosa Bellows decided to share the wisdom she’s gained, along with all those “suggestions for how to enjoy this roller-coaster ride called motherhood.” Thus was born The Fun Book for Moms, giving moms permission to break the rules (or invent new ones), act a little bit crazy, and enjoy all the gorgeous imperfections that are part of motherhood. It’s full of tips we know Sacramento Parent readers will appreciate (tips like “Have a watermelon-seed-spitting contest with your kids in the backyard”). Here are a few more:

“Use your kids as an excuse to do the things you really want to do, like going to silly feel-good movies, eating mac and cheese for dinner, and jumping in the moonbounce. Use your kids as an excuse to get out of things you don’t want to do, like going to a second cousin’s wedding or your office party.”

“Every Mother’s Day, have a picture taken with your kids.
Keep the photos all together—
along with special birthday cards, ticket stubs,
mementos, and anything else that makes you feel good
about being a mom—in an empty Gucci box.
(Of course, you must get those new shoes you love in order to do this correctly.)
Every year look through your Goddess Mom box
and see how much your kids have grown.”

“ To get your teens to talk, play two truths and a lie. Tell your children three things about your day, two real and one made up. Your children guess which is the lie. Then it’s their turn.”

Melina Gerosa Bellows is editor-in-chief of National Geographic Kids magazine and a freelance writer. She has also authored The Fun Book for Couples. You can email her your favorite flavors of fun at melina@melinabellows.com.

© 2007 by Melina Gerosa Bellows. Reprinted with permission of Andrews McMeel Publishing.