Thoughts on Being a Mommy
by Karla Borglum Santoro (that's me)
In addition to the quilts, I have a
book for sale called "Thoughts on
Being a Mommy."

Cost is $12, which includes
shipping.  (The price will go up
with a second printing.)

Paypal or personal checks
accepted.
Email for more information!
Here are just a few quotes from those who have read
"Thoughts on Being a Mommy."
Kim:  I loved this book Karla! It was so good and so funny. I've given quite
a few as gifts as well. My Mom saw it on my sister in laws coffee table and
thought what a great idea to give me while I'm in the hospital having my
second child. She called to tell me she bought it from Amazon.com. I then
had to tell her that I know you and that book on my sister in laws table was
a gift from me.  It came full circle.
Barb:  I LOVE your book. I have read the whole book. I could not decide what
to do. I think every mother should read it, but do not want to give out my copy.
It should be there with all those inspirational books at the stores.
Donna Herold:  I just feel like I have known you forever, it seems we have
a lot of common interests. I love reading about your school projects and
activities-not only are you a great Mom but I also feel you are one heck of a
GREAT teacher! If you ever decide to continue on and write another book -
be sure to let me know!
I do wish a publisher would take over - maybe it's just me but I would
highly recommend your book to anyone who wants or has children.
Staci:  My mom and I both read the book and loved it! It really made me smile.
No one can describe mother hood, except a mother! You have great talent
Karla. Thank you for sharing it!
Sherilyn Smith:  This book is amusing, fun, touching, thought provoking, and
interesting."  
Linda Green:  Fantastic!  It's nice to know I'm not alone in the feelings I
have in this child rearing process.
Kim Vaughan:  The perfect book for mothers, soon-to-be parents, baby-sitters, or
anyone who wants to laugh, cry, or to get a taste of what motherhood is like.  It
has the friendly tone of a neighborhood chat, with the insight and depth only a
caring mother could give.  It's about motherhood: its hopes and fears, successes
and problems, and more if all, its love.  
Jan Barnes:  THOUGHTS ON BEING A MOMMY is ageless.  Mothers of grown children will
find this reminiscent of precious days gone by.

The story.

I have always loved to write.  So, when I became pregnant for the first time, I bought a baby book with
lots of blank pages and filled them up from margin to margin.   When there was no more room for my
thoughts, I bought a Teddy Bear Journal, and started on that.  I had Justin write in it too, and we added
pictures.  When Rachel came along, I explored every store for a baby book with lots of blank pages, but
there was none to be found.  So, once her few blank pages were full, I bought her a woman's journal
about the sea.  That way, she could read about her childhood, and read inspiring quotes pertaining to
womanhood on the same page!  

One night, after writing about a particularly frustrating evening, humorously, I called a friend--also a
mother of the young--and shared it with her.  After listening to her giggle, I decided  I should change my
audience to not only my children when they're older, but to mothers everywhere!  When my husband
returned from work, I told him my plan.  He readily agreed that there would be a vast audience for such
a title.  

I wrote every night for months.  It was easy; every day of living with 2 young kids, from sun-up to
sun-down, gave ample material for a mother writing about what it's like to mother them.  37 rejections
were received.  But, one day a publisher from Florida called to say the mother on their staff thought
every woman who is a mother will want to read the material.   They contacted 12 independent investors
to try to add the title to their list, but none would take it up because I was an unpublished author.   The
man I talked to strongly encouraged me to self-publish.   After seeking the cost of such a project, we
knew it was never going to be a possibility.  But, miracles do happen, and, within a year or so, the
money was there.  I wanted to spend the amount on a horse!  Mark said we'll get the book published.  
Financially, his idea was a better one.  The horses came much later.

In the beginning I had a distributor.  Many book signings were held.  Talks were done for Girl Scout
Troops, library groups, and  school classes.  And, we sold enough books to recover the costs in one
year.  Once the distributor stopped, we've had to market it on our own, which isn't easy.  "Thoughts on
Being a Mommy" is always on the shelf of one local book store, and often in the hospital gift shops.  
Sales dribble in continuously, which is fine.  The best marketing is when one mom wants another mom
to read the pages.  Once life settles down, I'll again attempt getting a publisher to take it.  There are
many thoughts to be added if one does.  
Excerpt from an email my daughter received from her psychology professor at SUNY
Geneseo:  (with permission)  And...I have really enjoyed reading through your mother¹s
book!  She is an excellent writer, with useful insights, a good sense of humor, and genuine
warmth in discussing the challenging task of being a mother!  I would like to quote some of
her insights in the textbook that I¹m currently writing; here is the citation: Matlin, M. W.  (to
be published in 2010 or 2011).  The psychology of women (7th ed.).  Belmont, CA:  
Cengage Publishers.