American Parent by Sam Apple
By Mel Fabrikant Tuesday, September 08, 2009, 08:11 PM EDT
Sam Apple researches the various ways of giving birth, the pros and cons of breast feeding and the care after the baby is born. He even tries to get his wife involved in his many endeavors. Sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't!
If you can imagine, the problems even deal with the type of stroller they should use for their firstborn. Her parents want to buy the top of the line unit, costing about $700. In Sam's eyes, it is not only extravagant, not that her parents can't afford it, but he feels that it can almost convert to anything. Called the Bugaboo, it is the symbol of luxury. The stroller salesman makes one believe it can be turned into a hovercraft if they know the formula. Needless to say, their baby wound up with a Bugaboo.
Sam uses his literary experience to arrange interviews with writers on the subject. They vary from Botox to hypnosis and more. Of course each person believes that their method is the correct one presenting a huge dilemma as to which would be correct for their child.
The naming process also has to be delved into as well as matching the first name to the family name. He and his wife test the sound of each suggested name to see how well they sound. Adding to their problem was the popularity of the name and the proliferation of books on the subject. Of course the associated nickname had to be considered and then matched to Apple.
After deciding on Jack, as a name, an Internet search revealed a slang dictionary interpretation showed that in the United Kingdom, a jack apple was another term for “a dottering fool”! The search went on.
American Parent by Sam Apple, published by Ballantine Books is a must read for the parent to be. It is also a good read for any parent.
