I’ve long been a magazine reader. I love the fact you can learn something new or open your mind to another perspective in the short five to ten minutes it takes to read an article. I read so much, I have become familiar with many of the national magazine writers’ names and writing styles. I even found my favorite. Her name is Jenna McCarthy and she’s not only a great writer, but she writes for all the magazines I read (Shape, Parenting, Real Simple).

Imagine my delight when I found her on Twitter! I am really not a celebrity-crazed maniac, but I was giddy with excitement when I found out, after “following” Jenna, that she was also the author of a book, The Parent Trip. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on that book.

As quickly as I could, I requested a copy and read it. I was not planning on becoming a mommy for a fourth time.  But, Jenna’s wit and spot-on capture of what a first-time parent feels when expecting made me miss it. Maybe I missed the excitement of finding out what sex the baby is, the miracle of growing another human being and all the chummy camaraderie with other pregnant women. This may sound pedantic, but — I wanted to be like Jenna!

Of course that wasn’t the only thing that convinced me to go for it again…the fact that I have three daughters and a husband who desperately wants another male (other than our cat, Ringo) around to talk sports or get excited about a new tool was a big factor in the effort for #4. But, Jenna was the catalyst.

If you’re teetering on the edge of whether to have another child, this book will push you over — especially if you’re a sucker for a well-written book. Don’t blame me. Blame Jenna.