The baby showers for my first child were so much fun. People rubbing my belly, making guesses at how big our baby boy would be and who he’d look like. Well wishes, parenting tips and shower games (I love shower games!). Questions about whether the hospital bags were packed and our plans for the nursery. More baby clothes, diapers, gift cards and baby supplies than we could have everyone imagine.
But I’ve got one beef…
No one told me how stinking hard this mom walk would be. Maybe a few people said something about it being the hardest job I’d ever have…but, what they didn’t say along with that is, No, really. I’m not joking. Stop smiling. You have no idea.
Now, let me back up for those of you that might be new to the blog. I love my kids, I love being a mom, and I want nothing more than to become better at it everyday.
Sometimes though, all the demands, responsibilities, chores and experiences that come with being a mom can challenge, pull, irk, test and frustrate me beyond my limits. In between the sun rising and setting, the day can be a wild ride of emotions like none ever experienced before–joy, impatience, heartbreak, anger and joy again. Then selfish me may kick in and sometimes, I just don’t feel like reading another storybook, refereeing another argument, changing another poopie diaper or sharing my last piece of cake.
Someone could’ve given me a heads up about this.
That’s why I enjoyed reading Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae and Sally Clakson.
Like Hope for the Weary Mom that I wrote about awhile back, this book let me know that, no, it’s not just me. Motherhood is hard. What I really loved about Desperate is the intimate conversations between two moms in two different seasons–a young mom with three small kids and an older mom with four older children.
In Sarah, I see myself. An imperfect mom navigating the ups and downs of motherhood. She wants to be a good mom. A Godly mom of excellence, but sometimes doesn’t feel like she’s making any progress. She represents all the angst and questions and concerns we have as young moms.
In Sally I see the hope of what is to come as I continue to diligently, prayerfully and faithfully pour into my children. She’s the prototype of Titus 2 type of mentor and encourager. She seems to know all the right answers and have the perfect kids and perfect home life. That is, until you realize that her seemingly perfect life is the result of years of the same kind of struggles and heartache (and headaches) that I’m going through now.
Moms, I encourage you to pick up a copy and gift a copy of this book. It’s filled with so much wisdom and practical suggestions. They’ve also included links to a number of videos and resources. I believe you all will enjoy it.
Bonus: If you purchase the book through Saturday, January 12th, you can still get in on some fabulous giveaways. See the giveaway details here.
Oh, and be sure to give that mom-to-be you know some real advice on what this mom walk is about.
I’ll have to add this to my reading list. Thanks!
Erica recently posted..Food, Glorious Food!
Great review. I’ll have to check it out.