Stringing Beads: A Young Mother's Musings

When her first child was born, the author quit her job to work at home as a full-time wife and stay-at-home mom. Although that action cut the family income in half, the resulting financial struggles were barely a consideration. They made do with one older car, shopped garage sales for clothing and toys, gardened, and cooked homemade meals.

This short collection of essays recaptures the memories of early parenting. It includes writings on the joy of breastfeeding, cutting back on spending, th...