The Mommy-Go-Round by Eleanor D. Alspaugh opens with her bumpy road to conception and goes on to record the traumatic birth of her first baby, she and her husband taking their daughter home, and Holly’s early years. The tragedy of miscarriage, and the doubts tests suggested for a second developing new life caused an unplanned gap in the couple’s family and Julianne was born when Holly was four years old. A son, Nathan, pre-natal tests jettisoned with the doubts, completed the threesome. The Mommy-Go-Round follows Mrs Alspaugh’s joys and trials of being a mother until, unexpectedly, she finds herself preparing to be a grandmother. Throughout this beautifully illustrated book, she tells readers all the things nobody else will about the tumultuous journey of life when a woman, particularly if she is a Christian with high expectations of herself, embarks on motherhood.

Half-close your eyes and The Mommy-Go-Round reads as The Merry-Go-Round and I suspect that this is Eleanor D. Alspaugh’s intention. Full of facts, the reassurance that any reader who is a mother is not alone, and amazingly revealing honesty, this book can best be described as a carousel. If I needed a title for an Amazon reader’s review, it would be “Mommy’s Crazy Carousel, grab your copy NOW.” I laughed, I cried, and recognized familiar feelings of inadequacy. My favorite quote is in the title of chapter two, when Holly’s birth is imminent. “BTW, does this come with ANY instructions?” The Mommy-Go-Round is written in a style that lets you hear Mrs Alspaugh’s voice as if you were a friend drinking coffee at her kitchen table, assuming there is even time for a Mommy TO sit!

I chose 5 stars for this review, because as a fellow mom myself of 3 children, aged 10 and under, I find it a challenge to eat a meal without shoveling it in, let alone take time to myself to read a book, but this was such an enjoyable read for me, that I not only somehow found the time to enjoy the book but I re-read certain chapters simply because of the joy I got out of being able to relate to the author's experiences and outlook on life with children. Her descriptions of the ups and downs that come along with the merry-go-round of juggling life, marriage and parenthood not only bring humor, but a sense of a relief to know that you're not on this ride alone, and there are others out there who think and act just like you. I highly recommend this book to any mother out there, young or old, or anyone who will soon be given this ticket to ride the merry-go-round of motherhood!

Penned by a REAL mom, this book will make you laugh and cry. If you're a mother too, you'll see yourself and your kids on every page. Eleanor writes like she lives -- with lots of humor and lots of love.

This book is both funny and touching. All Mothers will be able to relate to the author's trials & tribulations of Motherhood. Nice to know you're not alone on this crazy journey!

This is a delightful read-funny, sad and REAL! Written by a REAL mom who tells it like it is in such a fun way! There were times I laughed out loud, times I just shook my head in agreement and times I actually cried! It is an easy delightful read for ALL moms! I'm already ready for her next book--I think it should be titled "the Roller Coaster" -cause my daughter is a tween and that is the ride I am on right now!!! I know the author is way past this stage but I wish she was on it with me right now - I could use her insights, advice and humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't typically find time to read but I couldn't put this book down! This view on raising your family from inside the mind of a mom herself was fantastic! Very entertaining and comforting to know that maybe I'm not going crazy and other moms are experiencing the same ups and downs. If you are mom you have got to read this book!

This book is a real down to earth and very funny account of motherhood! I laughed from start to finish. I recommend it highly.

This book hands down has to be one of the best books i have read on motherhood. I myself am a mother to a five year old and a step mother to an eight year old. I have been reading so many books on motherhood and how to be there for them as they grow but they're all statistics and don't have a lot of stories/ memories in them. This book has me excited for this crazy mommy go round ride that I'm on! The author was smart, witty, comical, and a Witch at 10 pm! I cannot wait until this fresh new author comes out with more books!

This book was Amazing!! It made me laugh, cry and even taught me some things even though I am a Mother of 2! Thanks for sharing you "Motherhood" with us!!

Can't wait for "The Granny-Go-Round"!I felt like I was reliving my feelings as my little darlings were growing up! I laughed, I cried, and laughed some more. Eleanor's stories could easily be turned into a sitcom! Totally relatable. A must read! I eagerly will be waiting for the sequel!

This was a very funny, touching read. El has covered just about anything and everything that we come across as parents! Her writing style makes you feel as though you were right there through it all. Don't pass this one up!

Awesomely blunt and humorous and never a dull moment. This is a great read.

The book was a great beach read. The author paints very vivid scenes. It is witty, funny, charming, heartwarming, heart breaking and full of love. The book is an enjoyable read for anyone -- even if you do not have children. While the primary focus of the book is the role of mom the author's own childhood memories will strike a cord with many. You will laugh, you will cry and you will definitely enjoy the journey. I hope to see more books from this new author.

A Great Motherhood Primer -- A wonderful book about the joys and trials of motherhood. I could truly relate and only wish I had this book when raising my own family. Eleanor's stories made me laugh and cry, the mark of a really terrific book. Looking forward to the next book!

This is a must read for every woman who has raised children!
This book will warm your heart, make you laugh as well as shed a few tears! Anyone who has had the experience of raising children can relate to the stories in this book! And for those of you who have not yet had the experience of being a mother, you will enjoy it as well. El adds humor to those situations where you aren't sure if you are appreciated, gives insight on how to play detective once the little darlings reach the teenage years, and shows you that if you continue to love your children through the good and bad times, it all pays off.

Loved the Mommy-Go-Round with its heart-warming stories of the joys of motherhood. Everyone can relate to these precious family moments that are both touching and hilarious. I laughed until tears came to my eyes on some of the stories - I can't look at a pop-up trailer anymore without a smile coming to my face. We can all relate! Enjoy this book and all the love that it has to share on family life.

I'm sure that El has many more family stories to share and I certainly hope that a Mommy-Go-Round II is in the works.

Very entertaining and fun to read. I truly enjoyed it. Well written - it's like just sitting and listening to a recalled story. It's easy to read. There are hilarious parts like the A/C for the popup camper and there are touching sections recalling difficult times in the author's life. Most people will be able to relate to many things within the book. Great read!!!

Thank you El for taking me on the wonderful journey of being a daughter, mother and grandmother. You provided the opportunity to remember my own experiences and totally relate them to yours. You have a very gifted way of expressing the unconditional love we have for our children despite the challenges they provide. The Mommy-Go-Round was so entertaining while at the same time offering poignant moments for which we can all relate.

One of the aspects that I enjoyed about The Mommy-Go-Round was the way in which the author, Eleanor Alspaugh, wrote her collection of vignettes about motherhood. Her style of writing was simplistic yet her words were so very powerful.

As a mother of four grown children, I was able to relate to most of her experiences. It was reassuring to know that I wasn’t the only mother that found it challenging to juggle everything that came with a husband, children, every day life, and a job. I just wish that this book had been around when my children were younger and I used to be thrilled when I survived yet another day of motherhood. I think the humor, the realistic and relatable nature of the stories and the way in which Eleanor dealt with everything that was thrown at her would have been very reassuring to me. Her positive and “can do” attitude was refreshing as well. She sounds like the kind of mom that I wish was my neighbor when I was in the height of my parenting. With her down to earth and REAL perspective on life, I probably would have shared many laughs and tears with her as she helped me navigate the Mommy-Go-Round.

I found myself smiling and laughing as I read certain stories. In particular, the Birthday party prep, Musical Beds, and the Christmas essays hit home for me. This is a gem of a book that I think any mother or mother-to-be would enjoy. Lastly, the title that she chose happens to be spot on absolutely perfect.