Customer Reviews

And Then I Had Kids

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

AND THEN I HAD KIDS is my all-time favorite parenting book, and I've read dozens. While so many authors give parents specific how-to tips and make us feel like failures if we don't follow their advice exactly, Yates shows us it's a tough but often hilarious calling to raise young children.

Because her book was first published in 1988, readers today can be assured Yates knows what she's talking about. Her five children are now grown, married, and raising their own families. Since her husband and children have also written books, the Yates' successful parenting experience is documented in the various stages of their journey.

From this authority, Yates offers expert survival tips for mothers still in the trenches raising young children. Her book opens with the sinking feeling that her house is too quiet. Where are the twins? She discovers little black footprints trailing from the fireplace, across the brand new carpet, to the utility room freezer. "Peering inside, I found two little girls black with soot joyfully looking at books!" By seeing her in this situation, we understand she's been there, done that, and she knows what moms of young kids go through every day.

The book is divided into ten sections: the first chapter offers a general overview of the challenges that face mothers, then the next eight sections look at each challenge specifically and offer tips for overcoming them. Examples include maintaining a positive image, establishing priorities that work, becoming a best friend in marriage despite the heavy demands of child-rearing, disciplining children, and shaping a Christian home. She ends the book with ideas for parents heading into the teen years, which is another age she writes about in AND THEN I HAD TEENAGERS.

If you enjoy this book, you'll also like Yates' essays, which are archived on the site for Today's Christian Woman magazine. Parents of college students will be blessed by another book written by the Yates' sons, THE INCREDIBLE FOUR-YEAR ADVENTURE: FINDING REAL FAITH, FUN, AND FRIENDSHIP AT COLLEGE.

I highly recommend Yates' book for young moms, even going so far as to say it's my "Bible of parenting." I've given away so many copies of this book to women in need of encouragement, and I've read and reread it dozens of times myself. Although many more recent books have been written on this topic, this is one of the absolute best.

--Reviewed by Heather Lynn Ivester

I highly recommend this book to all my friends and have given it as a special "mommy" present. It is so easy to think you are alone in the highs and lows of mommyhood. This book didn't make me feel like a failure as a parent, like so many other parenting books do. Two thumbs up!

Whether you're a stay at home mom or a mom who works outside the home, you will see yourself in this book. Right away in chapter two I practically said out loud "Hey, that's _me_ she's writing about!" Then Susan offers practical advice, encouragement, and best of all -- empathy! This book would make a great gift for someone who has kids ages 7 and under! Susan is also sensitive and doesn't make any judgments about moms who choose to stay home and moms who choose to have a career while their kids are little. How refreshing!!

I was excited to get this book, but found it slightly dissapointing. It was nice that the author is honest and admits to needing to get away from her kids and that they can drive her crazy at times. Most moms these days will not admit to that. The book did not really tell me anything I had not learned already from other parenting books. But all in all it was a good read.

I definitely recommend this book! It is very encouraging. Susan strikes a good balance - she is real about the struggles and frustrations but she also presents encouragement through perspective, God's nature and perspective, and practical ideas. You feel like there is someone who knows exactly what you're going through as you read the book.

Susan Yates has written about so many of my experiences as a mother of a young child. Her candid and transparent writing provided both practical guidance, as well as encouragement that I was actually not alone in the things I was experiencing. I highly recommend this book to moms of toddlers and preschoolers.

The book was good an easy read. I didn't like how it seemed to talk like motherhood is something to be endured happily, instead of enjoying and cherishing every moment you have even when things are challenging

This book has saved my parenting life!!! With love and grace Susan helps you to not just get through the hard times but to make the most of this calling. I wish there was a "Susan" next door for every woman to talk to!

Susan Yates provides genuine help and insight for mothers of young children. I just had my first child and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. This book has helped me realize that I am not alone! Her writing is easy and enjoyable to read. She is a pastor's wife, but has struggled just like the rest of us. Motherhood is not easy and she doesn't claim it to be. It is a huge responsibility, but taken way too lightly in today's society. She provides great perspective and encouragement for the journey.

I really enjoyed this book. This book offers (as the title indicates) "encouragement for Mothers of Young Children" from a Christian perspective. She has five (5!) children, so in my books she has credibility as far as parenting goes. She covers many aspects of parenting small children from self-image, discipline, the atmosphere in the home to setting priorities. Her advice was so helpful to me as I raised my girls and will be a great blessing to anyone who reads it.
I just finished reading her new book "And Then I Had Teenagers". I highly recommend them!