I was married when I was twenty two and gave birth to my first child at the ripe old age of twenty four. I will never be able to forget the feeling of my first night with her in my hospital room.
There she was all swaddled in her hospital gown with a cap on her head. I gently lay her in my lap and slowly, unwrapped her to get a peek at her tiny fingers and toes, each one perfectly formed. I pulled back the cap to look at her head, round and covered in peach fuzz hair, all sweetness and the precious smell of a new baby filled my nostrils. I held her close to me, breathing in as much of the aroma of her little head as I could take in.
And the tears flowed.
What had we been thinking? Here she was perfectly formed in the arms of her imperfect mother. No handbook would be going home with me to instruct me on how to get through the sleepless days and nights of colic. I had zero experience in those first few spoons of cereal, naps, potty training, terrible two’s. Once through that, how was I to know about the days of discipline and the teenage years and hormones and boys?
I recently read Mothering From Scratch
The authors stress that none of us are alone in our imperfections as mothers, as these are common to us all. There is no one way to mother which is “perfect” but rather we all parent in a manner that is both unique to us and to our children.
The book is broken down into four sections:
- Welcome to the Mothering Kitchen covering starting over or from scratch.
- The Spicy Realities of Motherhood which will help each woman learn they were meant to mother with their personality and identity in Christ.
- Sifting It All Out which will help women to see how the past has influenced and how to navigate through it all.
- Mothering With Wisdom and Grace will lead women to take care of themselves and feed their souls so they can create a happy and healthy home.
This book is not only a wonderful resource to reach for during those times encouragement is needed while on the journey.
*As a member of the Mothering from Scratch launch team, I received an advance reading copy to read in exchange for my honest review of this book and its promotion. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the FTC guidelines.
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Giveaway!!! >>> I also have a copy to bless one of you with. So all you need to do is this – leave a comment with how many children you have and their ages. I’ll randomly draw a name soon. Don’t miss out!
***** 1/29/15 – The giveaway has closed and the winner has been contacted. Thank you to all of you who entered!
Today I am joining … Book Musing Mondays and Booknificent Thursdays .
Thank you for the chance to win! Two children – ages 2 and 6
Thanks for entering! Good luck!
You may not have gotten it right the first time around parenting…but you definitely did the second time. Your youngest child is a masterpiece! 🙂
As far as I can see, you both turned out wonderful, purely by the grace of God & not of my doing. Now I must find the chapter on teaching humility 🙂 I love you both more than you can know!
Hahahahahahahaha!!!! 🙂
Angela, I am glad my children gave you a laugh. No matter how old we get, our antics with siblings remain the same 🙂 Much love!
Oh yes, they do, Jo!!!! My kids would always banter about who was mom’s “favorite”! I’d always say: “You’re ALL my favorite —– but then I’d qualify that with: – BUT, Peter is my favorite SON!” (he was my only son, as you know). I loved it!!!! <3 to you!!!
Us kids would always ask Grandma Spano who her favorite was. Her response every single time >>> “When you’re the only one here, you are the favorite.” She always said it with a twinkle in her eye. But we knew she loved us!
4 kiddos…11, 8, 3, 7 months 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!
Glad to have you, Heather! Good luck! I’ll let you know in a few days 🙂
3 kids, 9, 7, 3.
Good luck! I’ll let you know soon!
Loving the book already! Thanks!
Kristina, thank you for letting me know. May it help you to continue to mother with excellence & grace. Blessings!
Hi, thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays. 🙂
PS, I am a mother of one daughter, age 12. Thanks for the giveaaway opportunity as well.:)
Good luck! I’ll let you know in a few days!
A 9 month old girl!
Good luck! I’ll let you know in a few days!
I love your description of your first days as a mom! Very poignant! Thanks so much for sharing at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
Thanks, Tina. Those first days impressed me deeply. Glad to join you!
I have two kiddos, 10 and 13 🙂
May God provide all you need to be the mom both children need. Blessings!