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Operating Instructions
Operating Instructions: A Journal Of My Son's First Year | Anne Lamott
9 posts | 22 read | 14 to read
A single mother and writer grappling alone with the problems of a newborn baby presents a vivid account of the confusion, joys, sorrows, and struggles of the first year in her son's life. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.
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GatheringBooks
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LitProfNovara
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“I want him to grow up to have a lot of faith, and to be a very gentle person, and also to be militantly in his own side, as I have come to be. I hope he grows up to be caring and amused and political, someone who does not give up on the ideals of peace and justice and mercy for everyone. Of course, on the other hand I am actively and consciously poisoning his mind against the Republicans.”

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Spiderfelt
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Pickpick

Reading this book brought back vivid memories of my first years as a mother. Now that I'm deep in my childrens' teen years, it is soothing to remember the early struggles mixed with the sheer wonder of their existence. Lamont's bracing honesty gives me constant comfort when I wonder whether I'm doing it right. The answer is who knows? Nobody can say because there is no roadmap.

Tamra Sigh, no manual. 😒 6y
Cinfhen Great photo 6y
Bklover What a wonderful picture! 6y
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Spiderfelt @Cinfhen @bklover I flew with my 6 week old son to Toronto for a college friend's wedding. This is my old roommate meeting my son for the first time. They stared at each other for the longest time. 6y
Spiderfelt @tamra the only rule is love them up. I try to remember what it was like to be a teen. 6y
LeahBergen Beautiful photo! 6y
Tamra @Spiderfelt yes, good point! 6y
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Spiderfelt
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Reading this last night was such a balm to my worried, anxious mothering brain. I spend so much energy blaming myself for not _______ (fill in the blank). Will my struggling child make it to adulthood? Then what? Will they have a successful life? What does that mean? Whose yardstick am I using to measure their life? Where did I go wrong? What can I do better today? I turn to Lamott when I need a little brake on my charging mind.

saresmoore I couldn‘t relate more to this post! And I wholeheartedly agree re: Anne Lamott. 6y
Suet624 I read this book when it first came out years and years ago. I love it so much. 6y
Seattlejulie This is one of my favorite books and was so comforting when I was a new mom!! 6y
Spiderfelt @Seattlejulie my kid is 15 and I still find it comforting. I plan to keep a copy by my bed so I can flip to it randomly when I need comforting or reassurance. This is my kind of devotional. 6y
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Mel
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Slightly different take on today's prompt 😊 - Lamont's memoir on the first year of single motherhood. #allthesingleladies #junebookbugs

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Bibliogeekery
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❤️

saresmoore Oh heck yes! 7y
MicheleinPhilly 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess Exactly!!! 👍🏻❤ 7y
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OrangeMooseReads I adore Anne Lamott 7y
Zelma Great point! For all the mistakes Mr. Z and I make, we have a damn good life and lots of adventures. I won't ever regret taking chances and failing if it means fun and joy as a possibility. 7y
Bibliogeekery @Zelma ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
Lmstraubie Anne Lamott 💖💖💖 7y
83 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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Seattlejulie
Pickpick

This is one of my all time favorite books. It made me laugh and cry while I was going through my own new mother challenges.

mrldg This one is still a great gift for new parents. 8y
5 likes1 comment