Mama Smith Reads... Waiting for Birdy by Catherine Newman



Hello, dear friends and readers!

As a new mom, I find it challenging to make time for reading. Before my son was born and my world forever altered (in the best sense possible!), I made the effort to read as frequently as I could. In fact, the very first official document with my married name printed on it was my library card. I guess it's an English major/bookworm thing.

I have found, though, that I can occasionally fit in some reading if I am very intentional in the new, daily rhythms of caring for a baby. For example, I try to read while nursing my little guy on the couch during the morning or afternoon feedings.

For my first foray into the world of book reviews, I chose to read Waiting for Birdy by Catherine Newman. In this book, Newman shares her journey as she expected, birthed, and then adjusted to life with her second child. The subtitle summarizes her material very well: "a year of frantic tedium, neurotic angst, and the wild magic of growing a family."

What I loved: Newman has a gift for witty, hilarious, beautifully poignant prose. Her storytelling abilities are masterful, and she even verges upon the poetic, at times, especially when she talks about her love for her children. She expresses the common ground of motherhood with such ease -- failings and victories, glimpses of infinite beauty and days slogging through the mundane. I truly enjoyed her funny perspective and moving stories about her family.

What frustrated me: As a Christian, my role as a mom emerges from a foundation of biblical ethics. My framework for reality is built upon objective truth. Sin exists, but so does the gospel. In a nutshell, God created man and woman, they fell into disobedience and sinful rebellion, and then God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, in human form, to live, die, and rise again in order to pay the penalty for sin and bring those who believed in him to new life.

Briefly, I must say that Newman's eastern mysticism and odd combination of worldviews created a jumbled-up effect for me as a reader. She mentions wanting to be "zen" several times, and yet she also talks about prayer in a way that begs several questions. Does she believe in God? Or an infinite Something that might benevolently help her in her hour of need?

Additionally, although Newman speaks in a very memoir-esque fashion, she gives the real, flesh-and-blood mother no viable solutions for the inevitable challenges of motherhood. She vacillates between painful honesty about negative thoughts and feelings she has toward her children and the height of motherly affection for them.

While I occasionally appreciate her raw take on motherhood, I think this perspective can only be understood as part of a more complete story. As mothers, our love for the children we have been given constantly clashes with our selfish desires. We must acknowledge this internal conflict and rely upon the strength of God within us in order to be responsible, loving parents out of reverence for Christ. I can't be a good mom on my own. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain me and help me every single day.

On a less central note, Newman sometimes resorts to profanity and crude content, although these instances occur rarely.

Who this book is for: The mom who needs a good laugh and would appreciate some mom-raderie (like camaraderie, but for moms) would truly enjoy this book. Although it may be rough around the edges and require discernment regarding the author's ultimate worldview, I must say that I really liked Waiting for Birdy and might read it again at some point down the road.

Conclusion: If you are interested and think this book may be for you, borrow it from your local library.


And there you have it! If you enjoyed this book review, please feel free to let me know what you liked most about it. Do you have suggestions for improvements to this format? Or do you have some book ideas for future reviews? Please message me through the Mama Smith Writes page on Facebook with your suggestions, or comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Soli Deo Gloria

- Mama Smith

Cover photo courtesy of https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177393.Waiting_for_Birdy