Too technical for a new mom gift.
926645
I like to give new moms a book on how to photograph their children.  I've purchased several different books covering this topic, this is the first one I'm not happy with.  This book is far too technical for the use I need.  There are much better options out there.
1454512
I bought this for my mom so she could watch these foreign shows on discs that need this machine to play them.  I guess it was too complicated for her.  I showed her how to use it, and it didn't seem too difficult to me, but she never ended up doing it so it ended up being a waste of money.  The machine was fine, no fault of the machine so I"m not dinging stars for that reason - it just didn't work out for us.

I'm not super tech savvy but I can work stuff.  I didn't think it was that much of a hassle. My mom is 70.

Don't get one of these for your 70 old mother unless she's a techie or you're there to work it for her when she's using it, lol.
1362527
My young daughter is a big fan of products such as this, and even takes orders from her classmates for the creation of custom jewellery.

Unfortunately, this product was a disappointment for her - the instructions were just too vague (even with me helping) and the product too cumbersome - to come out with any keepers.

~A_E~
3509374
This is just another of the awkwardly worded cards.  I did not like the repetition of THINGS.  big things., little things, stressful things, simple things, happy things, painful things, busy things, lazy things, silly things, stupid things, wild things, scary things, funny things, special things, and everything in between  It seems like they could find more positive words instead of throwing in the less pleasant ones.  The repetition of the word things was annoying because it could have been avoided and things is such a bland word.

Inside message:  You're so good at the mom thing - and I love you for it. Happy Birthday

Pretty flower though.
3249757
There isn't a whole lot new for anyone who already knows how to run a home. No real hacks and if you're already aware of technology there's nothing new there either, but for college graduates and young newlyweds this would be a great gift. I think my biggest complaint is that the author seems to have no idea of how to do things inexpensively.
3192252
while the end result has the potential to be really cute - it was WAY WAY too complicated for kids to do, and even was a bit too much for me to step in to help the kids.  Sorry!
1931999
Loved the idea of this as my husband is a Vet and I thought it would be fun for our grand daughter.  It was too advanced and too many parts for her.  Would recommend it for an older child.
1389201
My husband and I asked that our baby's heartbeat be monitored via fetal stethoscope vs. doppler as it's the most natural way to do so. We ordered our own, thinking it would be fun to attempt this at home. I probably shouldn't have ordered this after seeing how much our midwife struggled to get a reading. There are a few things that make it a challenge:

1) You can't touch the cord AT ALL or you will be hearing the pulse that radiates through your own finger tips.
2) Basically, touching this device anywhere with your hands can potentially give you false feedback
3) Using your chin is best to press the stethoscope firmly onto the abdomen (but, I certainly can't do that as the mother and wanted to do this on my own)
4) You have to press down pretty hard and it's uncomfortable for both you and the baby (our baby moved away from it every time)

I'd also like to add that the ear pieces are extremely uncomfortable--borderline painful.
4022735
I purchased this as a gift for a 1yr old based in the description, however the packaging clearly states 6mo+ and includes a photo of a young (ie- not 1-2yr old) baby.  I will not be able to gift this as planned.
2121802
Yes its nerdy but even the nerds should know that most flashcards in 2013 have fun little facts, definitions, and examples written on the back, and in simple baby language, so the parents can use it to teach their kids about each card. Unfortunately, I had to go print my own content and tape it to the back of each card.

Again this should have been standard, especially for the nerdy subject matter, and for parents who don't use an algorithm to plan out their day and want their kids to be smarter than they are.
2224763
Disappointing , purchased for elderly parent who loved his program on his old computer that crashed.  This one too many graphcs and bells and whistles that they found confusing when all they wanted to do was play games
3181285
I wonder what she was trying to accomplish by her repackaged book? Maybe she was trying to reach more people- the ones who refuse to feel guilty because they are not willing to do right by their baby and give the food  all babies deserve. It's sad a book like this even sells, because in  millenia passed, everyone knew that babies nurse at the breast, bodies  aren't merely sexual, babies deserve their biological norm (mother's milk)  and our society might not be so geared toward the nanny crowd. (see some of  PR's other titles.) It's very unfortunate that Peggy "I Own my Own  Press" Robin had such poor advice on how to continue breastfeeding  because now she is busy lashing out at some of the very people who can help  babies get the breastmilk they deserve.  I'm no cultist- I'm a  physiologist who recognises normalcy when she sees it and an inferior  product when she sees that. Breastmilk is normal, formula is an inferior  choice. Mothers to be, if you feel hesitant about breastfeeding, read  "So that's What they're For! Breastfeeding Basics" by Janet  Tomaro. She'll give you real information- not the results of spying on  people who justify her hostility, as Peggy Robin does.  Watching women  breastfeed can help, and making sure your partner supports you makes the  initial weeks easier.  If you have problems, call a IBCLC- International  Board Certified Lactation Consultant 1-800- TELL YOU.  No book can solve  all problems!  Find a qualified person, or a few!
  I don't think anyone  disparages women who adopt and are given no information on induced  lactation, but I would like to see a positive attitude toward the human  body and the development of human milk banks. Peggy certainly isn't helping  that issue either.  If a parent-to-be visits a pediatrician who does not  actively advocate breastfeeding, she needs to get a copy of the American  Academy of Pediatrics Statement on the Use of Human Milk to that physician.  Peggy is not on your side in ensuring optimal health for you child. Oh, and  yes, those of us with breastfed children do see physicians. No one has ever  said that breastfeeding protects against all illness even though Peggy  would like anti-breastfeeders to think that we put out as much  misinformation as she does.
2117910
This book is confusing if you know anything at all about computers and not helpful for a real newbie. My 87 y/o mother doesn't know USB from ACDC. I got her a kindle Fire HD recently and this book to go with it and spent a couple weeks setting it up and showing her stuff. I didn't realize you have to know so much computereze to even use the book. This just confuses her. She is having better luck figuring out stuff on her own or me helping her over the phone than using this. If you know the slightest bit about computers, the Kindle is so easy to use, you don't need a book.
2419775
I am sure the author covers the funamentals well but it is too technical. If I had a background in 3D modeling then I would be able to follow along but then I would not need this book.
1674893
This was book was gifted to me when I was pregnant.  It made me cry.  I burned it in a ceremonial fire in hopes of eliminating another damaging, dominating, parenting practice from this planet.  Be kind to your babes.  Feed them when they are hungry, carry them, and consider reading The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff instead.
3954787
This was a shower present that was used instead of a card.  The mother has already read it to the baby and she has not given birth yet!!!!
2875165
I purchased this book specifically because it advertised itself as designed for parents of an older toddler with a newborn on the way.  The book was not very useful though for my situation, and I hope not helpful for many people though I realize I'm optimistic.  While it did give me a few ideas on the smaller things I hadn't thought of (like not holding newborn at hospital when first-born arrives so they can run up and hug you as they are prone to do), almost the entirety of the book contained information that I had already thought of or my parents had already suggested.  If you want reassurance or have absolutely no clue, this book might be for you.  The book also was a big proponent of the birth of the second child being the prime time for dad to step in and help out.  If "dad" hasn't stepped in by now and helped out, what's he around for?  I realize I am blessed with a wonderful husband who is a great father and contributes to our family as much as any other family member... and if you're in the same situation you might not find this book very useful.