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Saturday, June 23, 2012

MOMumental (book review and giveaway)

I read a book recently that was worthy of much more than the few snippets of free time that I could give it. I know how important mothering is. I have read all the "how to" books my brain can hold and don't need to be told yet another time how I'm not doing it right. How refreshing to find:

MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family by Jennifer Grant

It is a rare treat to find a book on parenting that doesn't leave you feeling judged, failing, and unworthy. Without demeaning the importance of motherhood, MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family manages to meet you where you are and leave you feeling encouraged, uplifted, spurred on and not alone.

Jennifer Grant encourages you with a sense of camaraderie in this difficult yet beautiful gift of being a mother. With great insight and humor MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family leaves you wanting to be honest about the struggles and accomplishments of motherhood and meet the fellow mom (yes, even the one with tantruming toddler, and spit up stained shirt) with a high five of encouragement. Because we all know what it is like and it can be better.

The irony of the "rough" and lonely times in mothering is that there is no magic wand or trick to make it all right and there is not much time to figure it all out before the children are grown. YET you can't just shrug it off because motherhood really is all as important as you fear.

A reviewer on Amazon summed up my thoughts:
"Motherhood can sometimes be a lonely job and any reminder that you are not alone should be grabbed at. This is one of those reminders."

Honestly, I would love to hand each of you this book. Please enter below and win one or order one for yourself:)

MOMumental is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold.





a Rafflecopter giveaway

8 comments:

Kathy said...

Its not what I said or didn't say. It was what I thought that haunts me. Once I had a foster son, I realized that there are times that moms can't control kids.

Kathy said...

Kathy, I totally agree! Kids are people and people are complicated sinful creatures. We can't CONTROL them we can only teach them right and wrong and do everything in our power to ensure they persue it.....but there is no magic formula and none of us always do what we are supposed to.

Reed Family said...

What mom doesn't need encouragement from time to time? I know I do! Hope I get a chance to read this book. It sounds good.

Reed Family said...

If I see a mom that is frustrated or struggling I just admit to them a few of my shortcomings. People seem to have the perception that they're the only one and it makes them feel better to know they aren't alone.

Rebecca said...

I definitely wish I could just tell each and every mom that what they are experiencing is perfectly normal! I think most women tend to get embarrassed when their kid acts up in public. Well, I don't think you should be! Just give it what you got and the rest will work out. :)

Lil Sis said...

Often times it is just a friendly look or nod is all that many need. In a time were too many judge and send dirty looks...just that small bit of encouragement seems to help!

Jenifer Harrod said...

Being a Mom takes dedication. I would love to have this book adn be encouraged. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest. Come by and see me.

keri said...

We moms often set impossible standards for ourselves, and feel that we can never be “a good mom.” Or at least a good enough mom. Momumental was so encouraging to me as a mom. Jennifer Grant offers solid advice, not just on parenting but on how to be intentional about building a family culture. She writes honestly about her own mistakes, her own perfectionism, and how her own family of origin impacted her. She also tells beautiful stories about her family that made me laugh and cry. I’m recommending this book who anyone who is raising children—which is a messy but beautiful art.