Customer Reviews

Motherhood: The Guilt That Keeps On Giving

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I heard Julie speak on this topic at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Convention last year, and could hardly wait for the book. Julie, you didn't disappoint! I resonated with so much of your story--of messing up, and feeling regret, yet longing to live in freedom. I think this should be a required text for all new mothers! Thank you, Julie, for your vulnerability, your honesty, your humor, and the way you point readers to Jesus. Oh--here's what's NOT on my "guilt list" as a mom: laughing A LOT; tickling and hugging and kissing and telling my boys "I love you" all the time; teaching them about God; working part-time so I can be available to them; monitoring their media intake; taking them to church; going on regular date nights with their dad; and having a career I'm passionate about.

For some of us, being a mother means fighting our insecurities; as doubt and guilt swarm around us. We're constantly being torn between what the experts tell us we should be doing and comparing our actions to the generation before us, in order to be the perfect mother. Everything from diaper use, choosing our children's health care provider, and whether or not we should we work inside or outside the home are questions many of us face as we raise our children.

Author Julie Ann Barnhill believes that motherhood is a journey that can be trekked with humor, realistic expectations, and enough of God's grace to allow you to enjoy the journey.

So how does the book assist those of us who are struggling through the woes of raising our children? First and foremost, we're reminded that we're never alone.

God is with us all the way, and if that's not enough, Barnhill promises to be the sherpa that will guide us through the treacherous mountain range called, Guiltmore National Park.

Humor abounds as we read how to navigate Mountains Shoulda, Coulda, and Woulda. The heartwarming stories tell how the author has stumbled over the rocky terrain of motherhood, making the same mistakes many of us make, i.e., yelling too much, not saving for college tuition soon enough, or the guilt-monger of them all, battling whether to work outside the home.

So many of us have succumbed to feeling inadequate when our parenting
choices are wrong. But it's these very same feelings that prevent us from being great parents. Sure, as human we all make mistakes, leaving room for a positive change--like maybe recognizing that our expectations are set too high. Or maybe we need to talk to a counselor to change the destructive behavior. Whatever our reasons, whatever our actions, the truth is, you are the mother that God gave to your children and He doesn't make mistakes.

Armchair Interview says give yourself credit for what you do do right, acknowledge what you've done wrong, make amends, and look to God for a brighter, happier future with your children.

This book was full of the author's guilty feelings, which is fine if you're just looking to relate to someone. In my case, I got this book as a gift and thought it looked interesting. I was hoping for more scripture to help me get over (or better control) my guilt about being a working mom among other things. Instead I learned all of the author's mishaps in parenting. It was OK, but just not something I'd recommend to anyone.

A friend recommended this book. It is just not my style. I dont feel bad for telling my kids no. Neither should you. It is for people who are very guiltridden. Not healthy guilt-less moms. I thought that if you read the book and feel that way, it is not funny. Maybe great for some I didnt finish it. Borrow from a friend.