Happy 1st Birthday To ContentedBaby.com From Gina

Today, 10th November 2005, is the first birthday of Contentedbaby.com, an online community that reaches parents across the five continents of the world who follow the Contented Baby series of books. It is also seven years to the day that my beloved mother passed away, after battling a very aggressive form of lung cancer for five years. Although the cancer had spread to her throat and she could barely speak, she managed to whisper these words, " I love you, you're my rock - now go write your book”. Those were the last words she said to me. On that day, 10th November 1998, I lost my mother, my best friend, my sister and sometimes the child I never had. During the months that followed I was beside myself with grief and, at times, I did not know how I was going to survive without her. My family, friends and many of the wonderful parents I had worked with over the years urged me to fulfil my mother's dying wish and write "the book". On 28th February 1999 I presented the publishers with 75,000 words and, believe me, for each of those words I must have shed a hundred tears. On 1st July 1999 ‘The Contented Little Baby Book’ was born, and while I was always confident it would be a success, nothing could have prepared me for what has followed.

During the last seven years I have gone on to write a further ten books, although I have often felt that I have been treading a long and lonely road. But the things that kept me going were, firstly, the support I received from parents via thousands of emails and ‘phone calls, and, secondly, the wonderful advice given to me by my mother. Many times during her life she would say, "Gina, always march to the beat of your own drum. You must always stand up for what you believe to be right, even if you have to march alone." At times the beat of the drum was often more of a tap, but I never gave up. Since 10th November 2004, and the birth of Contentedbaby.com, slowly but surely I have started to hear the beat of many drums and the road is no longer so lonely.

I still remain baffled by the controversy that my books provoke, because I have always respected the fact that there are many ways for parents to bring up their children, and I did not write my books for those who believe in baby-led parenting. The books were written for parents who believe that they and their baby will be happier with some sort of routine in place. When my first book was launched, I refused to allow the publishers to use my famous client list as a tool for promoting it, and I have always kept my personal interviews with the media to the minimum. My brief flurry with TV was cut short when I discovered that, what was supposed to be a documentary-style programme of my methods, was actually becoming a reality show. I refused to participate. My books have all become best sellers because they have worked for many parents who, in turn, have recommended them to other parents.

Contentedbaby.com is taking the same route to success as my books and I am proud to be the custodian of such a wonderful, warm and supportive online community. I hope that my books, advice and the website will all continue to help and support you with bringing up your babies, but please remember that they are mere tools to help you with parenting. You are the ones who are responsible for your wonderful contented babies. My dear friends, wherever you are in the world today, please hold your head high with pride for the wonderful parents that you are, and remember to "keep marching to the beat of your own drum".

With much love to you and your contented babies.

Gina xx