Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

Life sometimes does not turn out the way we expect it too. Sometimes, we are thrown for a loop with no where to turn. Who plans after vowing "I DO" and having a couple of "blessed events" to be alone raising children? Who plans on holding the hand of their child while their spouse is lowered into a grave? Who believes that of the 50% of marriages that end in divorce, theirs would be among the statistic?


No one expects the worse. But when the worse happens, it's great to have someone who has been there, show you the way. Not someone who gives you advice they overheard someone say or fish a random verse from the Bible, but someone who has walked the journey you yourself are now embarking.

In some circles, Angela Thomas had it all: a husband, four beautiful children, and a successful speaking and writing career. She wrote books encouraging women to seek the beauty and wrote prayers for the expectant mother and new mom. I can imagine she never imagined she'd write a book about herself titled, My Single Mom Life: Stories and Practical Lessons for Your Journey. What was made for her bad was certainly turned around for every reader's good.


Angela speaks candidly about her single mom life. She takes the reader's hand encouraging single moms to cry, to mourn their lost, but afterward find the courage to begin again accepting their single mom life and be willing to raise their children in a positive new life.


What made this book so compelling is Angela retold her story as if she was writing to her best friend. She didn't offer textbook answers but genuine, heartfelt advice. Readers may find some of her advice hard to read. But isn't that the real role of a girlfriend? To let you know with love where improvements can be made?


If you think you will never be a single mom and I pray you never have to go through life alone, pick up a copy for your girlfriend. But do her a favor before you gift it to her by reading it yourself. You may find a perspective on single motherhood you may have not known before. You may develop empathy where there was apathy. And God forbid, you may just build an ark before your own personal storm hits.

I purchased this book after reading the review thinking it would... help me in my journey as a struggling single mother. It did not. It didn't help at all. All Ms Thomas seemed to do throughout the book was to be grateful to God, her parents, her friends, her children and reiterate this constantly over and over... which is great for her but made the book nothing more than a 'thank you' to them, not any real help to others. She states that after her separation from her husband she was very depressed and had nothing and stayed depressed, not doing anything for months at her parents home until, after about three months, she was fortunate enough to find a small rent house that she was blessed with having fully stocked full of all her needs. Well, that is great Ms Thomas but you jump around and do not give the full story! How did you get from that place and no job to being a public speaker and have a nice house with even emergency money in the bank????!! You don't tell HOW you do this but just jump from one thing to the next with no incling to the reader as to how they themselves can get out of the quagmire of life! What the heck?!

I cannot believe the publisher even PUBLISHED this book! Were they on drugs to think this could HELP anyone?! Okay, the lady is grateful! Hurray for her! Now how does that help me when I have nothing, economy is horrid, no jobs anywhere, kids to feed and I don't have great friends and parents that can afford to help me????

This book was a waste of money, and time, and I threw it in the trash when I was finished reading it (and most books I keep to re-read later).

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.

Angela Thomas writes candidly and hopefully about her recent journey as a single mom raising four children. If you're a single mother you'll relate to much of this book: even more so if you are woman of faith, trusting God to help you raise well-balanced kids in a one-parent household.

Please don't give up! Angela's journey can bless yours; you'll read stories here that may apply to your situation also.

As family counselors who specialize in single parenting issues, we are often asked to review books for publication. It can get tiring! Yet every once in a while something comes along that is a joy to read, and also a joy to recommend to others: this book fits that category.

It is a pleasure to recommend this book very highly, to any single mom and especially to single moms who are women of faith. May God bless your journeys and help you raise great kids!

Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Authors of: Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent

Im a single mom with 3 kids & I needed to hear this! I needed to be able to face my fears & my hardships, and I also needed to be able to embrace my rewards that God has blessed me with! I needed to know that Im not alone in this cold world as a single mom! I could read this book again and again... and again!

I highly recommend this to anyone who is teaching single mom ministry or is a single mom. Fantastic book! Parts will make you laugh and others will make you cry.

I read this book soon after being left with 3 children. In the midst of that first year, I was so full of anger, grief, fear, and feelings of worthlessness that Angela's book only "got through" to me in a few places. I waited another year and read the book again recently. After having another year to heal, I was able to "hear" portions of the book that I couldn't receive initially.
This book is definitely written toward believers in God, so if you're an atheist just looking for Angela's advice on finding excellent and free childcare, you'll be disappointed.
About the last chapters dealing with longing for a man: even if you have no desire to EVER be married again (like me!), it's still good advice, so it doesn't take away from the book.

One of the things that made me cry was the quote from Amy Carmichael : "In acceptance, there lieth peace." and the last paragraphs where Angela wonders if maybe the worst thing in your life could turn out to be the greatest thing that ever happened to you? -- This book is full of truth.
-A single mom living an AMAZING life!

A great insight into a Christian single mom's life! I love her real-life approach and applications she gives to single moms. Being a new single mom myself, I can relate to experiences she is having or had and appreciate the stories she tells. A must-read for all single moms and from a biblical perspective!!