Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People by Bromleigh McCleneghan and Lee Hull Moses
I highly recommend this book for mothers with young children. This would make a great gift! It first caught my eye because it was co-written by two pastors who are mothers of young children - or for the sake of this book, two mothers who also are pastors.
I was hoping that this book would address the complexity of combining the practical issues of parenting with the high hopes and ideals each new mom has for herself and her children as she begins parenting. It met and exceeded my expectations. The authors, McCleneghan and Moses, alternate writing chapters. I felt like I was back with the other moms in my daughter's playgroup chatting away and lamenting about how to do things "right". (The beauty of my playgroup was we affirmed for each other there was no right way.) The authors combine the spirituality of parenting and what that looks like in the reality of day to day family life.
A section that spoke to me began like this, "We're often afraid, despite our trust in God, to admit we are not actually keeping it together all that well. Some of us worry that if we let the little things start to slip, we're edging one step closer to the edge of crazy - and if we are not careful, we'll fall into the crevasse. Worse, if we start to fall, someone will notice."
There is lots of grace in this book. The calling of pastor for each of these women is seen and felt as the reader is given space to make mistakes and try again as she does the best she can for her family. The reader is also lifted up and given permission to grow spiritually in her call as mother.
It is not so much a "how to" book as it is a "Yes, you can!" book. Something every new mother needs to hear...again and again.
It is an e-book available in the following formats:
Kindle
Nook
iBook
Paper versions of this book are available through Alban Publishing.
I highly recommend this book for mothers with young children. This would make a great gift! It first caught my eye because it was co-written by two pastors who are mothers of young children - or for the sake of this book, two mothers who also are pastors.
I was hoping that this book would address the complexity of combining the practical issues of parenting with the high hopes and ideals each new mom has for herself and her children as she begins parenting. It met and exceeded my expectations. The authors, McCleneghan and Moses, alternate writing chapters. I felt like I was back with the other moms in my daughter's playgroup chatting away and lamenting about how to do things "right". (The beauty of my playgroup was we affirmed for each other there was no right way.) The authors combine the spirituality of parenting and what that looks like in the reality of day to day family life.
A section that spoke to me began like this, "We're often afraid, despite our trust in God, to admit we are not actually keeping it together all that well. Some of us worry that if we let the little things start to slip, we're edging one step closer to the edge of crazy - and if we are not careful, we'll fall into the crevasse. Worse, if we start to fall, someone will notice."
There is lots of grace in this book. The calling of pastor for each of these women is seen and felt as the reader is given space to make mistakes and try again as she does the best she can for her family. The reader is also lifted up and given permission to grow spiritually in her call as mother.
It is not so much a "how to" book as it is a "Yes, you can!" book. Something every new mother needs to hear...again and again.
It is an e-book available in the following formats:
Kindle
Nook
iBook
Paper versions of this book are available through Alban Publishing.
