Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, a progressive autoimmune disease, college teacher Dr. Emily Graves was told the disease would go into remission while she was pregnant. That was the good news; the bad news was, it wasn't true. In fact, she suffered kidney failure, and her son William was delivered by C-section when she was only 28 weeks pregnant. The better news is that she slowly recovered and now, with a typical toddler and a supportive spouse, she offers this guide for others. She makes practical suggestions: how a sick mother can rest, prepare meals, manage a healthy regimen for everyone in the family, make schedules, deal with taking multiple medications—while being a mommy, too. Without being specific about creed, she advises prayer (or meditation) for its calming, centering effect. One of the repeated themes in the book is "Don’t apologize!" A mommy with chronic illness has no reason to be ashamed of being sick, needing time out occasionally, and not constantly living up to others' expectations. She should accept help when appropriate, but never accept pity.

Graves has organized her book in a professional manner and writes with authority. The best advice comes from those who have walked the walk. Graves has authentic experience of her subject matter and a compelling communication style that can inspire her readers to profit from her example and follow her suggestions. In truth, this could be a book for any mother. Most of the suggestions could be quite useful for first-time moms, for example. It’s a call to action, whether you are a parent who is chronically ill, or any parent seeking a well-balanced life.

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