"Rock You Tonight"

Someone asked me recently about "Rock You Tonight," my children's book for babies and young toddlers.

And I told her that it's a little different from other children's books, because this one is every bit for the mom too.

I wrote it at a time when I was just a few months into new motherhood. I loved curling up with a baby (or two since I had twins) and rocking together for a bedtime book and snuggle. But my truth was that I was exhausted. I felt over my head. I often found myself rushing through moments I wished I would stop to savor. I couldn't get away from that feeling of 'There's so much I need to do.'

So when I thought about writing this book, I knew the pictures should have soft colors and warm faces for baby to take in. I knew the rhythm of the words should sound like a lullaby for baby's ears. And I knew that the tone of the book should be loving to nurture that tender bond with mom while reading.

But the story? Well since babies aren't quite into books for the narrative yet, I knew the story could be for the mom. I knew it was an opportunity to fill up her soul during a book time cuddle. The mom in the story is tired and hurried. But just before laying baby down for bed, she becomes captivated by the simple wrap of baby's finger around her own. She slows and realizes the moment she's in - right now. I hoped that the mom reading the story would feel seen and known through the mom IN the story. That she would relate to her. That she would feel it was her very own heart beating in those pages. Because - I knew she needed it, that loving hug kind of moment that says 'I know how much is on you, and I also know just how fully you love that baby.' .... because I had needed it.

Someone asked me recently about "Rock You Tonight," my children's book for babies and young toddlers.

And I told her that it's a little different from other children's books, because this one is every bit for the mom too.

I wrote it at a time when I was just a few months into new motherhood. I loved curling up with a baby (or two since I had twins) and rocking together for a bedtime book and snuggle. But my truth was that I was exhausted. I felt over my head. I often found myself rushing through moments I wished I would stop to savor. I couldn't get away from that feeling of 'There's so much I need to do.'

So when I thought about writing this book, I knew the pictures should have soft colors and warm faces for baby to take in. I knew the rhythm of the words should sound like a lullaby for baby's ears. And I knew that the tone of the book should be loving to nurture that tender bond with mom while reading.

But the story? Well since babies aren't quite into books for the narrative yet, I knew the story could be for the mom. I knew it was an opportunity to fill up her soul during a book time cuddle. The mom in the story is tired and hurried. But just before laying baby down for bed, she becomes captivated by the simple wrap of baby's finger around her own. She slows and realizes the moment she's in - right now. I hoped that the mom reading the story would feel seen and known through the mom IN the story. That she would relate to her. That she would feel it was her very own heart beating in those pages. Because - I knew she needed it, that loving hug kind of moment that says 'I know how much is on you, and I also know just how fully you love that baby.' .... because I had needed it.