A Gift for the Moms this Holiday Season

As the publisher behind Jersey Family Fun, I am often provided with press passes that are like 'gifts' to my children. It's rare that I as a mommy get such a 'gift' but this past week I did when I got to see Motherhood the Musical at the Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia. Whether you are a mom or know a mom, this is one of the best gifts you can find for them or yourself this holiday season.

My friends and I, we laughed, we cried and laughed some more. Motherhood the Musical is the story of motherhood. From the tears of joy to the fits of anger, Motherhood captures it all. There is a little bit of each of us in the characters of Motherhood.

From Brooke, the work-out-of-the-home mom, to Barb, the stay-at-home mom; from Tasha, the divorced mom, to Amy, the mom-to-be, I saw pieces of myself in them.  Motherhood takes us on Amy's journey from the last 3 weeks of her pregnancy to her newborn's first few weeks of life. Along the way, her friends share the good, the bad, and the laundry that is motherhood.

Do you remember when you first found out you were pregnant? Did you read every book feeling like you needed that knowledge to be the "perfect" mom? That's Amy. When Amy tries to figure out how to use a breast pump (there's no nudity) I was in a fit of laughter. I remember being there trying that.

Later, Amy delivers and we feel her inadequacy again when she's alone in the hospital trying to figure out how to breastfeed. And we all were hysterical and sympathetic when Amy realized her baby is latched on and what that truly feels like.

Through song, dance, and words, Motherhood brings out all the emotions we have felt as moms and brings humor to all those subjects we thought were taboo. The acting is superb. Even in the songs you can see real emotion in their faces. Their voices are outstanding. Motherhood includes musical numbers like:

• I'm having a baby
• Mommy, Mommy, Mommy
• Minivan
• I'm Danny's Mom
• Costco Queen
• I leak
• Every Other Weekend
• Do it
• Baby Weight Blues
• Not Gonna Take it Anymore
• Grannyland
• The Kids Are Finally Asleep
• When the Kids Are Grown

If the holidays are crazy and you need something fun to look forward to or deserve a reward -- who doesn't? -- make plans to see Motherhood the Musical before it ends its run on February 19, 2012. Better yet, make plans to see it with a group of moms. Jersey Family Fun is hosting a Mom's Night Out at Motherhood the Musical on January 28, 2012. Early bird ticket prices, are $10 below the box office price, and are available until December 16, 2011.