Being a mom is tough—often tougher than moms expect. There are days when everything goes well, but more days when everything seems to fall apart and it’s easy to feel like a failure as a mom. On those days, it’s great to have other mommy friends to talk to or a good book to turn to for a quick pick-me-up. These three books, written by other moms who’ve “been there, done that” and understand what you’re going through, provide thoughtful advice and encouragement when it’s needed.
Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer
In this almost autobiographical book, Tricia talks about her own adventures as a mother, from being a single-mom to her oldest child to homeschooling all of her children. She is honest and humble, yet also delightfully funny. Her reflections on motherhood are interspersed with reflections on faith, as she considers what God has taught her about His love through her children.
Goyer talks about having her grandparents move in with her family, caring for a dying grandfather, starting a pregnancy care centre, dealing with the pain of an abortion, being a single teen mom, finding the perfect church home, choosing to homeschool her children, and other topics. Each chapter is short—a quick read while nursing a baby or between helping a toddler—yet inspirational.
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Women who choose to stay at home with their children often feel that they are under attack. It seems expected in our society that women will return to work after an appropriate maternity leave. I was even told, on one occasion, that I was endangering my daughter’s social development by choosing to stay at home with her. The antidote to those voices is Dr. Laura. In her usual no-nonsense, tongue-in-cheek style, Dr. Laura talks about being a SAHM herself and about other SAHMs she knows.
Dr. Laura talks honestly about the struggles (internal and external) of being a SAHM, but also the rewards, like being there for your child’s “firsts.” She discusses how being a SAHM impacts your marriage, your children, and you. She also provides advice for women who want to stay at home with their children, but also want a career. This book was a real, gritty look at the job of a SAHM, chock-full of practical advice.
Chicken Soup for the New Mom’s Soul
This book was one of the best baby gifts that I received as a new mom. In it were so many stories that I could identify with—the stories of other new moms who were experiencing what I was. I laughed, I cried, I felt like I had found new friends. It simply felt good to know that I wasn’t alone, that other moms had been there before me.
Most of these stories are very short—two or three pages—so if mom has no other time to read, put it in the bathroom. There are also the usual cartoons included between chapters, providing an instant laugh (and stress-relief) for mom.
If you or a mom you know is going through a tough time, check out one of these books at your local bookstore or library.
I know of several older books which would be of interest to Moms, since I’ve read them in the past, such as “Tightwad Gazette”, any book by Barbara Felton and Emilie Barnes — the last two authors write on organization.