How to Have Peace When You’re Falling to Pieces by Rebecca Rode – Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Apr 232013
 

howtohavepeaceHow to Have Peace When You’re Falling to Pieces

Author: Rebeca Rode

Publisher: CFI/Cedar Fort, Inc.

Published Date: March 2013

Softcover: 224 pages

Genre: Parenting/Religious Nonfiction

ISBN# 978-1-4621-0407-9

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free digital PDF review copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

How can I have inner peace as a mother when I feel so stressed and scattered? For mothers who feel they are constantly juggling multiple demands, How to Have Peace When You’re Falling to Pieces is packed with uplifting stories, poems, quotes, and scriptures that instill fresh perspective on the work of a mother.

Review

Reading How to Have Peace When You’re Falling to Pieces was just what I needed this past week/month/15 years. There were so many things I loved and appreciated about this book. If you are a mother or know a mother, finish reading this review, then go right out and buy a copy of this book.

Do you love motherhood? Your answer is probably mixed. Yes, we all enjoy being moms, but man, is it hard! We are stretched to the limit, more maxed-out than a credit card, and weary in body and soul. Ours is the work of angels, but it is work. (page 11)

I love that Rebecca addresses the issue of guilt early on in the book. It’s a serious issue that so many mothers struggle with, myself included. When I get my hands on a hardcopy, “Chapter 2: How to Win When You Just Can’t Win” is going to be the most underlined section of the book, followed closely by the chapter about perfectionism.

Moms have only one supervisor: ourselves. So we make up for that by becoming our own worst critics. We correct and cross-check and second-guess ourselves until we can’t see straight.  (page 14)

I loved the visual comparison of the things holding us back to barnacles on a ship. I loved the idea of a “Judgement Free Zone” where there are “No critics allowed.” I loved the spin she put on “How Not to Make Everything Work” in Chapter 12. I loved her conversational, comfortable writing style, like reading an encouraging email from a friend. I loved the examples and quotes from poems, prophets and scriptures shared throughout the book. I loved the The Motherhood Quiz at the end. (After 15 years of mothering, I Aced that thing. Which means I sound a lot more like my mom than I thought.)

Even on the best days, those have-it-all-together days, we still have to admit that perfection is painfully far away. (page 21)

I highly recommend How to Have Peace When You’re Falling to Pieces. I read the book straight through and look forward to going back to read certain sections when I need a boost or a reminder. I’m pretty sure every mother I know can relate to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences Rebecca shares. I don’t usually give star ratings on my LDSWBR reviews, but this one gets 5 stars from me.

Visit Rebecca:

WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Find How to Have Peace When You’re Falling to Pieces:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

 

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From Pampered to Productive by Debbie Bowen

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Oct 012012
 

From Pampered to Productive: Raising Children Who Know How to Work

Author: Debbie Bowen

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Published Date: March 2012

Paperback; 144 pages

Genre: Nonfiction/Parenting

ISBN# 978-1-4621-1019-3

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: checked out from my local library

Summary

From television to iphones and automatic dishwashers, we’ve got it all—except each other. But there’s a simple solution. Turn forgotten to-dos into family fun with Debbie Bowen’s ten proven formulas for success. With new skills, added closeness, and a real sense of accomplishment, your whole family will soon cherish chore time. Raising responsible, hard-working kids has never been so rewarding!

Review

Hi, my name is Shanda, and I used to be a nagging mom.

When I would ask or remind my kids to do their jobs I would start with a request, then a firm reminder, than a curt demand, which would then turn into pleading, yelling, and finally threatening with no guarantee that the threats would work, even when I followed through.

After reading From Pampered to Productive, I now say just one word to get action and effort from previously reluctant kids: Consequences.

With four kids ages 15 (almost), 11, 5 and 3, I experienced a wide range of struggles in getting the kids to help, often hearing “I don’t  know how,” or “I need help,” to “Do I HAVE to?” and “I ALWAYS have to do that!”

I was tired of always seeming like the mean mom and feeling guilty for asking my kids to help out.

From Pampered to Productive inspired me to make a few small changes, mostly in my attitude and perception about asking and involving my kids in the FAMILY’S work, and yet the results are impressive in our house. It’s not a miracle or fairy-godmother magic, but sometimes it feels that way. If I had to choose one thing that helped me the most, it was recognizing the housework and yard work as FAMILY work, since we all live here and all benefit from using the house and yard.

As the mom of ten kids, the author knows her stuff. I thought four kids was difficult to manage, but my hat comes off to her. I like how she involves the children in everything from assigning jobs to letting them work out their issues in family council with just a bit of guidance from Mom and Dad. She explains how our “excuses” for not involving the kids in the chores they capable of doing are cheating them out of gaining experience, learning responsibility and how to be self-starters, as well as experiencing that feeling of accomplishment after a job well-done. I love the author’s focus on actions and consequences.

There are four sections, each offering instruction, encouragement and personal stories of both success and struggle from the author. These sections are as follows:

  • Changing Your Mind-Set
  • Delegation – Your Key to Sanity
  • Eliminating Stumbling Blocks to Your Success
  • Rewards of Delegation

At 144 pages, the book is not a long read, but the information could be life-changing if you are one of us who struggle with getting kids (and maybe other family members) to do their share.

I highly recommend this book to all parents, including those with little ones who are eager to help. Now is the time to lay the groundwork so that you can hopefully avoid major struggles when your kids get older.

Find From Pampered to Productive:

GOODREADS | AMAZON | KINDLE | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK | B&N | NOOK