Rrashima Swaarup Verma
Bringing a child up was never an easy job but parenting in today's world does indeed come with a unique set of challenges. With changing family structures, time constraints, increased stress levels and technological advancements, the modern-day parent is constantly bombarded with doubts, misgivings and questions. Sleep, Support and Sanity by bestselling author Rrashima Swaarup Verma is the answer, the survival guide to that.
Represented by The Book Bakers literary agency and published by Om Books International, Sleep, Support and Sanity is Rrashima's third book. A humorous, emotional and candid non-fiction account on parenting, the book chronicles this remarkable journey that is as relatable to readers as it is fascinating. "It all started with a bit of journaling every night", recounts the author. "It was like pouring my heart out. It was therapeutic and before I knew it, I was filling diary after diary. That is when I realized that this needed to be turned into a book. Suhail Mathur, my literary agent at The Book Bakers, guided and supported me through the process and the book found a wonderful home at Om Books International."
Every parent will vouch for the fact that parenting is a journey that is as joyous as it is nerve-wracking. Of course, very often we later feel amused at some of those not-so-perfect mum/dad moments. Rrashima effortlessly combines emotion with humour, an amalgamation so wonderfully refreshing that it will have your eyes brimming with emotion as often as it will have you laughing out loud.
Each chapter in the book emphasizes on a crucial facet of parenting with real life anecdotes. So much so that parents will find themselves instantly connecting with the author's experiences and observations. From subjects like how to come to terms with the physical and emotional changes that come with being a parent, how to attain a healthy work-life balance, how to deal with the guilt and exhaustion that every parent goes through, how to bring children up in a tech-savvy world, to issues like how to inculcate good habits in your child and spend quality time with them, to tips on how to choose the perfect school or throw a memorable birthday party that your kid will remember, the book is a treasure trove of relevant information that mums and dads alike will find handy.
"Children don't come with a manual." This is one of my favourite lines from the book. And it really is true. Each child is unique, each parenting scenario and dilemma exceptional in its own way. Which is why it is important to acquaint and prepare ourselves with all the different parenting permutations that we could be faced with, and that is what the book does. It really is a survivor's guide to parenting.
Now about the writing and narration. Rrashima's style is honest and racy, thus ensuring that the reader constantly keeps the pages turning. In fact, reading this book is almost like having a conversation with the author. A candid recounting of her own experiences, her interactions with other parents, educationists and practitioners, and relevant research, have all come together to create a book that is informative, entertaining, and provides solutions and answers.
"Highly relatable, and extremely engaging." This is how a reviewer described the content and tone of the book. Moreover, the book has been endorsed by several well-known personalities from the education, medical and corporate sectors, and has been receiving rave reviews from readers ever since its release on Mother's Day 2024.
So, whether you're a new parent to a wee one, or a parent trying to raise a smart, happy, focused and socially conscious teenager, Sleep, Support and Sanity is a book that needs to be up there on your bookshelf.
