Nurturing Moms

When Cynthia Garner made the transition from the business world to home in 1984, she didn’t give up a career entirely.

In her new role as a self-styled “mother’s mentor,” she went on to establish mothers organizations, write articles and give speeches.

She has also written a book.

You can meet this author of “From My Mommy Being With Me,” (CFI Publishing, $5.99) March 18 at 3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Thousand Oaks.

The soft-cover children’s book, illustrated by Susan Curtis, is written in poetic style and weaves in experiences between mother and child from birth to adulthood.

“When someone reads my book, it is my hope that they will laugh and cry, want to embrace their own children more often--and they will call their own mother,” Garner said.

Garner plans to follow this book with volumes about fathers and grandparents.

Her audiences often ask why a woman needs to love her own mother in order to be successful in raising a family. Garner’s answer is unequivocal.

“How you treat your own mother will be reciprocated and reflected in how your children treat you,” she said.

If your talk reflects negatively on your parents, your kids may grow into critical judges of their parents rather than respectful and supportive grown children, she said.

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An innovator in the subject of the changing role of women, Garner has been a contributing author to “Women’s Keys to the Executive Washroom” and “Image Impact.” She has also been a columnist, parent educator and board advisor for Parents and Kids magazine. Currently, she is a contributing editor to “The Mommy Times,” an online magazine for mothers at https://www.mommytimes.com.

Garner and a friend also started M.A.H.E.M., an acronym for Moms at Home Entrepreneurially Minded. Targeted for women involved in home-based businesses, the organization is on hiatus but may resume in the future.

“(The word) mayhem is pretty awful, but if you’re operating a home-based business, trying to fax, change a diaper, sound professional on a conference call and walk at the same time, the name fits,” Garner said.

Three years ago, Garner became a temperament trainer, working with toddlers through pre-teens. She does interventions, describing her role as arbitrator between parent and child in the program “Home Team Advantage.”

If more problems develop between the parent and child, she refers them to counselors.

Garner can be reached by e-mail at momsmentor@aol.com or by phone at (949) 559-5273.

HAPPENINGS

* Today: 10:30 a.m. The Meaning of Life Book Club will discuss “Words That Hurt, Words That Heal.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., 446-2820.

* Today: 11 a.m. Rochelle Krich will discuss and sign her new mystery, “Dead Air.” At 12:30 p.m., Rick Riordan will discuss and sign “The Last King of Texas.” Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Today: 2 p.m. Mariaemma Pelullo Willis and Victoria Kindle Hodson will discuss and sign their book, “Discover Your Child’s Learning Style.” Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Today: 6 p.m. Poetry Night. Group discussion followed by a featured poet at 7 p.m. and open mike at 8 p.m. Thousand Oaks Borders, 497-8159.

* Monday: 12:30 p.m. The Monday Afternoon Book Club will focus on “Family Markowitz” by Allegra Goodman. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Monday: 7 p.m. The Conversations With God discussion group. Thousand Oakds, Borders, 497-8159.

* Tuesday: 12:30 p.m. The Book & Song reading group will dicuss “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt and hear music from the Oscar-nominated movie soundtrack. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Tuesday: 7 p.m. The Second Tuesday Contemporary Book Group will focus on “Welcome to the World, Baby Girl” by Fannie Flagg. Thousand Oaks Borders, 497-8159.

* Tuesday: 7:30 p.m. Gerry Schiller, past president of the Ventura County Writers Club, will speak at its monthly meeting on “How to Co-Publish Your Book and Make Money, Too.” Open to nonmembers. Contact president Joanne Sehnem at 579-9414. Thousand Oaks Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday: 7 p.m. The Partners-in-Crime Mystery Group will focus on “Dying to Get Published” by Judy Fitzwater. Thousand Oaks Borders, 497-8159.

* Thursday: 7 p.m. The Dear American diary book club for ages 9-12. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Friday: noon. Nancy Pickard will discuss and sign “The Whole Truth.” Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Friday: 7 p.m. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with “Jack and the Leprechaun” by Ivan Robertson. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Saturday: 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities for children in grades K-3 from the PBS series “Reading Rainbows.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Saturday: 3-4 p.m. Cynthia Garner will discuss and sign “From My Mommy Being With Me.” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Saturday: 7 p.m. Author and parenting coach Yvonnne Bowes-Brooks will discuss and sign “101 Ways to Become a Successful Student.” Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday: 7 p.m. Pajamamania, with new and classic favorites. Thousand Oaks Borders, 497-8159.

Information about book-signings, writers groups and publishing events can be e-mailed to anns40@aol.com or faxed to 647-5649).