No Biking In The House Without A Helmet – Book Review

Melissa Fay Greene’s new book, No Biking in the House Without a Helmet, has touched me. The book is an emotional and heart touching memoir of how her family has grown and changed and evolved to include not only their 4 biological children but also 5 adotped children.

As you read the book you fall in love with her family. As a mom who raised her own biological children and then adopted younger children, the author acknowledges the differences and difficulties of raising children in years past with today’s current child-rearing differences. She writes honestly and openly about challenges she has faced and overcome while weaving in sweet and witty everyday stories about parenting and living life as a family, the difficulties of balancing work and home life, and the challenges of disciplining children.

The book explores the feelings she has, including her hopes, fears, and concerns for her family, in such a way that every mother and person can reflect and relate to their own personal lives in her familiar feelings. I admit that I teared up and cried because I could relate to the honest printed words of another mother who struck me- because I could relate that I have been there, thought that, said that, or done that- and then questioned it afterward.

The challenges of being a mother and raising a family are endless- the role is demanding and tireless. We raise the kids the best we can.  When I stand back and marvel at how tall or strong one of my children is getting or recognize they have achieved a new task developmentally that reminds me how much they are learning and gaining independence (like loosing a tooth, tying their shoes, or riding a bike) my heart aches a little and sometimes I have those twinges of sadness because I want them to stay little and need me! It is ironic that simultaneously my heart is brimming with love and pride because of their exact same accomplishments and milestones.

After reading No Biking in the House Without a Helmet you have a honest wholesome sense of feeling good about being a person just trying to do the best you can to raise a happy healthy family and seeing that Melissa Fay Greene has been right there with you the whole time. As I finished the book and sat thinking of her family and then of mine, I just smiled. Then I went to go change laundry loads & thought of how many of my friends need to read this book.

The product was provided for review. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own.