MSI Press Blog

In her blog post this week, Julia Aziz, author of Lessons of Labor , makes some suggestions for  When you’re unsure and asking, “What should I do?” Book Description What if labor-raw, painful, and unpredictable-wasn't something to be feared or managed, but something to be  learned from ? What if motherhood wasn't about doing everything the way the experts tell you but about growing as a person? In  Lessons of Labor , Julia invites readers into the intimate, unfiltered stories of her three births and one miscarriage, each illuminating different key turning points in her journey through motherhood. But this is not a how-to guide. It doesn't offer advice or prescriptions. Instead, it offers something more powerful: an honest exploration of how birth and motherhood, with all their chaos and intensity, can become one of life's most profound teachers. With grace and vulnerability, Julia challenges the cultural obsession with control-especially among women who strive to "...

  There’s a quiet ache that lives in every parent’s heart—the not knowing. Will they thrive? Will they heal from this heartbreak? Will they remember the words I whispered when they were half-asleep and hurting? Parenthood doesn’t come with guarantees. It comes with grace for the unknown. 🌙 The Myth of Certainty We chase certainty because it offers comfort. It makes us feel like we’re doing parenting “right.” But certainty is often a mirage. Kids change. We change. What worked yesterday may falter tomorrow. And every so often, a curveball reminds us we’re not steering the entire ship—we’re helping shape someone who will chart their own course. Uncertainty isn’t the enemy. It’s evidence that your child is growing, becoming, unfolding. 🧭 Parenting as Pilgrimage Think of parenting not as a road map, but as a pilgrimage—sacred, winding, and filled with moments that ask you to walk by faith, not by sight. The detours matter. The delays teach. The unpredictability builds something withi...

  Every once in a while, a book comes along that isn’t splashed across every headline — but quietly shines with rare insight, lasting impact, and the power to stay with you long after the last page. We call these  book jewels . Each month, we spotlight one remarkable publication—a book that deserves far more attention than it gets. Through short, punchy reviews (each just a 1–2 minute read), we share what makes this month's jewel worth your time. You’ll hear from reviewers whose voices matter — people whose words are thoughtful, sharp, and well worth listening to. In just a few minutes, you might discover more wisdom, beauty, and brilliance than you find in an hour elsewhere. We'll leave it to you to decide — but we think you'll agree: some treasures are too good to keep hidden. This month's book jewel is  Lessons of Labor: One Woman's Self-Discovery through Childbirth and Motherhood   by Julia Aziz. Book Description What if labor—raw, painful, and unpredictable—was...