A New Mother's Prayers

Jayne Jaudon Ferrer

Review is by Molly (review by Jandy below)

Jayne Jaudon Ferrer’s A New Mother’s Prayers is a petite,  6.5 x 5.3 x 0.5 inch collection of some thirty five prayers presented in poetic manner.

The table of contents sets the stage for what is to come: there are Prayers for Moments of Gratification and Prayers for Moments of Exhaustion.  Prayers for Moments Trepidation is sandwiched between Prayers for Moments Fascination and Prayers for Moments of reflection.

A Mother’s Prayer is a lyrical ode beginning Sing a song of softness, a lullaby of love to the angel in the cradle, rocked by angels up above.  The elegy continues on through the childhood and maturation of the newborn as a mother ends her prayer for her child ‘so when her sojourn here is done, she will look back and smile.’

Other titles in this section of prayers in this grouping of seven includes The Best Job In The World, Love Song, and Shared Credits.

Prayers for Moments of Exhaustion offers 7 additional works all dealing with the reality of parenthood.  ‘God, it’s been one of those day.’ Begins the prayer entitled Hazard Duty.  Superwoman’s Lament, Second Thoughts and Time out are more titles for the parent to consider.  My Mother’s favorite saying was This, Too, Shall Pass, I enjoyed poet Ferrer’s thoughts on the subject.  ‘Okay, God, here I am for the sixty fifth time this week, wiping pureed carrots off the wall.’ Does bring a smile to the lips of those of us who have had this experience. Abyss and the overpowering terror of losing a toddler at the mall brought back memories of my own feelings of being an ‘irresponsible fool’ when my own little person wandered away and we spent hours searching.

The next collection of seven prayers is found in the section entitled Prayers for Moments of Fascination.  I particularly enjoyed ‘To Love Is To Lead.’  Other works in this section include Nature’s Way, One to Grow On and Required Listening.

Prayers for Moments of Trepidation opens with Fearful Reflections  which concludes “I know I got me into this, God, but please, will you  help me get through it?”  I think every parent, if honest has such a moment now and then.  Other titles in this section include:  First Farewell, as mom takes a break, Countdown, as mom tries to leave the classroom door on the first day of THE FIRST DAY of school, as a teacher I have often seen this parent whose bright and dry eyed child says goodbye to teary eyed mom, and Losing Papa as mom faces losing her own parent to death.

After September is a poignant read initiating Prayers for Moments of Reflection.  Growing Pains, A Word, (or Two) from the Wise, and My Do It are also found in this section.

I enjoy Jayne Jaudon Ferrer’s writings.  In this work, Ferrer has gathered a charming compilation of thirty-five odes regarding the myriad emotions a new, and all mother’s experience.

Presented as small prayers; each verse is as a talk with God to articulate the weariness, delight, marvel, aggravation, and even confusion experienced by those of us who have shared our homes and lives with children of any age.

The mind-set and portrayals communicated through these earnest words are those that mothers, teachers, caretakers, and everyone with an interest in motherhood can attest.

Ferrer presents her notions, ideas and values as the deeply held emotions we begin to experience with the birth or adoption of a child and covers the gamut of delight, bemusement and even times of sorrowfulnesss that motherhood brings.

Jayne Jaudon Ferrer’s A New Mother’s Prayers would be excellent as a tuck in shower gift, hospital basket gift and just for giving and reading.

8/22/2010

After reading Molly's review, I had to get A New Mother's Prayers. My oldest granddaughter starts kindergarten tomorrow. Even though this book is recommended for new mothers, it applies five years later, too.

There are poems in here that will help my daughter's heart as she drops off her daughter tomorrow.

I had to read it first, though. Jayne Jaudon Ferrer gives a wonderful glimpse of motherhood. My baby was born over 25 years ago, but I remember the feelings these poems evoke. I was sorry to realize that I can still identify with 'Time Out'. The new mother is horrified that she has screamed at her new baby for non-stop crying. Of course the screaming makes it worse. Then the mother is so guilty. I remember that moment like it was yesterday with my oldest. Fortunately I was OK with myself when my next daughter came along.

Then there is 'Required Listening'. Ferrer is right, baby giggles should be required for everyone to hear. It is definitely one of the best sounds in the whole world.

A New Mother's Prayers touches a mother in all the emotions a child engenders. It makes a great gift for a new mother, one who is having another child, or, like I am doing, for a mother whose young child is growing up.

Thanks for recommending A New Mother's Prayers, Molly.