My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey (Paperback)

by Angela Thomas (Author)
Key Phrases: single mom life, groovy mom, financial mom, Valentine's Day, The Blessing, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The day Angela Thomas sold the only thing she had, the diamond from her engagement ring, to take care of her kids was the day she began to believe they were going to make it. In that decision, the faith she had always talked about became the faith she was going to learn how to live. In the years since, God has given Angela a passionate desire . . . to live an amazing life, even while raising four kids as a single mom. In this book she shares her hard-earned wisdom on loneliness, dating, finances, and parenting, encouraging every solo mom. "As a gift to our children," she says, "we can become healthy moms who are strong and amazing women in spite of our circumstances."

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785289550
• ISBN-13: 978-0785289555
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #381,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it Twice...and probably will again..., April 12, 2007

By	The Reader "s woman" (Folsom, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey (Hardcover)

I have read this book twice..once in April and again in August. Both times it spoke to me. First off, it is from the Christian life view perspective. So not having that perspective would probably make the book less helpful, although it might offer some insight into how that perspective can help.

As another reviewer noted, the book does end with the dream of a "hunky" man, and I agree with her criticism, that a "hunky" man is not the end goal. That said, I think the principle of a spiritually (emotionally healthy) "hunky" man or NO MAN AT ALL, it a great perspective. ie..don't settle. Don't make a mistake out of weakness.

What touched me and spoke to me most about this book was the kids. It IS about them. It is about being a "groovy" mom and having a rich life FOR THEM! (As well as for yourself.) And then some very practical insights into how that might look.

I agree, that her work life is very idealistic and not what the rest of us live and that part is hard to relate to. I do feel, when I read it, good for her, what a blessing for her, but that is NOT the life I live.

I have purchased and given this book to other single mom's. It has a positive, hope-filled message and the shot in the arm to be brave, be a woman of valor and dare to have a full life as a single mom.

I say. Bravo! http://360.yahoo.com/lvglvk

19 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars missing something- reality check, August 2, 2007

By	Jasmi Thotts (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey (Hardcover)

After reading this book, I continued to struggle with the familiar nagging at my heart and the ache in my stomach, which speak more honestly to me about the realities of single motherhood. While I respect and appreciated many things that this author described about her own experience as a single mother, the heavy emphasis on religion, the reliance on a masculine form of divinity and the reference to the constant craving for a "hunky" male partner, particularly towards the end, left me feeling like this book was directed primarily at the white, high heeled, manicured, primarily Christian raised, middle class lifestyle type of mother. It spoke largely of this one woman's experience with the hopes that some of it might help other women, likely in similar circumstances. None of the descriptions of this book, nor the on line reviews identify the heavy extent to which the theme of religion, a male God, church, etc. are woven into the chapters. If something in this book resonates for white middle class women, great, the book is a success. But there remain thousands of women who do not fit in this group. Some of the serious issues that are often part of single mother hood and need real solutions, real acknowledgement, seem to be minimized or ignored. Dealing with abusive ex partners who remain involved in the children's lives, dealing with the emotional upheaval of depression, experiences of anxiety, trying to secure medical care for oneself and ones children, trying to find and get to therapy or good counselling, legal costs, not dating for years, not dating at all, having to manage house hold repairs, sick children, a full time job, shift work, all of these things alone....they just aren't dealt with adequately. The isolation of living in a smaller community, and not jetting off to other cities and countries, the lack of family resources and few reliable men who have time to mentor a son....they are realities for many many women. This book falls short for these women. The end of the book was disappointing...the reference to the fantasy of the dreamy man that is pined for and waited for, the end goal.......the hope for this dream to come true.....it promotes the message that a woman is not whole or enough without a man....that the goal is eventually to be with a man. This book seemed like an outpouring of one woman's story, and perhaps that was in itself therapeutic for the author. But for the other women out there who are also raising amazing children and get through the day with incredible integrity, courage and strength, women out there who don't have a personal assistant, don't jet off to big cities or other countries and do workshops or talks, don't have people stop them and tell them "you are beautiful",or "you know why we all love you", haven't dated for years, this book will feel alienating and out of touch with their reality and those "practical" challenges. Potential readers and purchasers of this book should at the very least be aware of this ahead of time.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Help for Single Mom's!, April 27, 2007

By	Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey (Hardcover)

It is an unfortunate fact that many children now grow-up in a one parent home due to divorce or unexpected death. The problem exists of the emotional growth of these children to become un-scared adults; not an easy task by far. In this work by author Angela Thomas we are given an inside view of a scorned woman, left with young children to raise and the challenges before her.How she handles them may well shape the future of her children; this fact is ever forefront to her.
In her book she deals with some hard situations with the many roles that she must now assume and the emotional trauma that she is also working through. It is hard enough to be thrust into a world of change without having the added responsibility of children. However, she is not a quitter, and after allowing herself some time to adjust she bravely pulls herself together and forges forward determined to have a brighter future than was her past. Ms. Thomas is frank and honest as she opens her heart to her readers concerning feelings of anger and resentment, guilt and unwanted pressures and being just plain tired of all the responsibilities that should never have been placed upon her in the first place.
She guides the reader through her walk as she learns to cope with these many responsibilities that are hers and hers alone, and she clearly emphasizes the importance of having God on your side to get you through each and every challenge faced. She shares many practical lessons, learned from experience on such things as dating, finances, just being a mom and some wonderful advice on loneliness. After reading this book you will certainly walk away with a greater assurance that you can achieve and rise above your circumstances and live a happy full life, for you and your children. A very helpful, encouraging read for any mom who now must walk the road of parenthood alone.