Suzy Martyn wants parents to relax and enjoy their journey through life with their children.
Martyn, a 41-year-old Cypress resident, is the mother of three, a former teacher, a day-care provider, a parenting consultant and speaker, and now the self-published author of “Enjoying the Ride.” (Comes with CD-ROM; $15.99)
In her book, she covers the first days with a newborn and establishing a routine; the toddler years and their inherent issues; and the elementary-school years, with topics such as teaching responsibility, handling money making and nurturing friendships.
Martyn’s book is by no means comprehensive. She herself says that; she cuts to the chase on most issues and offers her own personal take on things.
But her advice, for the most part, is sound and practical. On potty training, she says to “keep it simple. Don’t lose sleep over a normal developmental milestone that your child will eventually reach.” (Yes! I never understood all the angst that some parents exhibit over this phase.) She suggests organizing chores with index cards, with tasks written on one side and all the steps needed to complete them on the other. Very creative and useful.
I recently had a conversation with Martyn, catching her between projects and speaking engagements.
Q: Why write a book?
A: I just realized that there was a need for something 
handy, like a quick-start manual for parents. There are plenty of parenting books out there, but parents want to get to the heart of it quickly. I started out with pamphlets that I would give to my day-care clients, and it just grew from there. I realized I had enough material for a book. And it’s the same thing with the CD-rom. I just decided to package it.
Q: I see you do a lot of speaking engagements. How did that come about?
A: I started small, and the word just spread. I now speak to MOPS groups, I do seminars, all kinds of things.
Q: Describe your consulting business to me. What are the areas where parents request the most help?
A: I do one-on-one consulting with parents, most often on the issue of sleep or discipline. I’d say sleep is the most requested. I do it all through e-mail, and check in once in a while on the phone. I have great success with my sleeping tips; the only time it doesn’t work is when the parents don’t follow the steps.
Q: What is your advice on sleep?
A: My technique is a combination of a lot of things. It’s making sure the child has a routine during the day, that they are getting enough rest, play time, enough to eat. It’s a combination of things, and just being in touch with the child’s needs.
Q: In general, what are biggest issues that people want information about?
A: How to handle anger, in children and in moms. Also sibling relationships, how to help siblings have positive relationships. Siblings should be lifelong best friends. So I teach them how to nurture that. Other common issues are setting limits and nutrition.
Q: So you run a day care, you write, you speak to groups, you are the mother of three. How are you able to manage it all?
A: I have the most helpful husband on earth. He’s a teacher too, so he’s on a teacher’s schedule. He’s with us in the morning, then in the afternoon he’s home at 3:30. He’s a really involved father; he takes the girls to music lessons or skating lessons. We have a really strong partnership.
Q: What advice would you give to a mom who doesn’t have that type of relationship with their partner, or who is a single mom?
A: The key is to get support from others. Form groups or whatever it takes. When you share with other moms, you realize you’re not alone. You can babysit for each other and help each other out. We did a baby-sitting co-op for years with two other families. We would watch their kids, then we would get to go out. Starting those kinds of relationships is important.
Q: What do you have planned for the future?
A: I have a whole list of books in my head. I’d like to do a companion children’s story to go with each chapter in my book to reinforce what the parents are doing. I’m working on a sleep book now. And I definitely see consulting as an area where I want to grow.
To learn more about Martyn, go to www.mothersfriendsos.com
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