Hurry Less, Worry Less for Moms

When a book includes statements like these below, it's enough to spark more than just a mild interest in picking it up and consuming the insightful words it contains.

"You, moms, juggle and struggle and look for ways to get more done in less time. You are loving and creative, short on sleep, and long on laundry. Your to-do list could strike fear in the heart of the busiest CEO. You may be eager to enjoy each day more but sometimes don't quite know where to begin.

You know how it can feel. Every time you turn around, someone wants or needs something from you. That doesn't leave much time for stepping back to assess how things are going - and even less for renewal and relaxation. You probably want to learn to say no more often and simplify your calendar. You want to live by your priorities, spend fun time with your families, and have time hear and there for yourself. " (pg 12).

Sound like a book that just begs for some time to read and gleam some much needed insight into your life? Then this is the perfect book for you. Hurry Less, Worry Less by Judy Christie is written for moms who are so busy, we are simply trying to find a way to insert more time in our day instead of merely looking at what we have been called to do. When did it get so out of hand anyway?

Moms have it difficult even though we are the same in many ways, we are also different. There are moms in all different walks of life from raising babies for the first time to empty nesters, there are those putting their children into preschool and those that are seeing theirs graduate from college and start families of their own. Then there are moms who work outside the home from simple jobs to complex corporate positions, from moms who are single and parenting mostly on their own, to moms who's husbands are deployed overseas or who work out of town and must make ends meet.

Add to that mix blended families, step-parenting, adoption, foster parenting and you can see just how busy and important the job of a mother really is. So how do we find balance to our lives? How can we be a successful mom and still have time for ourselves as women? Most moms don't need to be taught this tips on what they need to do, they simply need to be reminded. Often times they're so overwhelmed they can't find time to do it. A reminder can help slow mom down and allow time to take inventory of the parenting life.

In this novel, you will find the thoughts of everyday moms are woven through the pages. Their warm, wise, and witty remarks speak of challenges that range from caring for a sick baby to looking out for an older parent, making hard decisions about where to work and when to work, about setting priorities and sticking to them, about trusting God all along the way.

This book includes practical tools, which serve as reminders that there are no cookie-cutter families. Individual moms have to figure out what works for them. Each chapter offers a "A Mom's Thoughts," practical and inspiring words, and "Mom's Quiet Corner," a section for prayer and reflection, including a tip from a busy mother, a Bible passage recommended by a mom, a mom-to-mom suggestion, and a prayer for the journey as a parent. There is also a study guide to be used on your own or with a friend or a group and "reminder" tips to continue to make progress.

I received Hurry Less, Worry Less for Moms compliments of Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review and it's so nice to read a book like this as a reminder, I am not losing it. I am completely normal in my life as a mom. I think we all need more books like this as well as encouraging friends to inspire and encourage us along our journey. Most of all it's necessary to evaluate what we are working so hard for, to benefit our children, our friends and family or God. This is an exceptional resource and I see it working well in some mom Bible Study's as a tool to encourage and build up moms! I rate this one a 5 out of 5 much needed stars in my opinion and will be referring to this one as often as needed.

For more information on Hurry Less, Worry Less for Moms, Judy Christie, and where to pick up this wonderful resource, please click on the links below:

Hurry Less, Worry Less for Moms by Judy Christie

The Stranger In Your House

We all know that as teens grow and mature, they become different then the children we have seen growing up beside us through the years of watching them grow into adults. But how do you know what is normal and what should cause you some concern as a parent of teens, whether your own or simply teens you may be involved with. When does a parent need to intervene and possibly seek professional help?

In the latest book, When Your Teenager Becomes...The Stranger In Your House by Gregory L. Jantz, Phd, along with Ann McMurray, and being a parent of both an 18 year old and a 12 year old, I knew I had to pick this one up. There is such insight into parenting for teens and preteens alike I had never considered and keeping the thoughts of "well, I remember when I was a teen..." just don't cut it raising them today.

In today's generation of teens, there is so much more influencing them than ever before and that's why we can't parent them the same as we think they should be if we expect them to grow into the adults we hope to be proud of. Some of the topics you will find handy include the following:

Why does my teenager seem to need me some days and hate me other days?

How do hormones affect my teen's behavior - and what can I do about it?

Is this "just a phase," or is it clinical depression?

How can I get help when I see the warning signs of suicidal thoughts?

How can I be a source of peace in my child's life, especially when I feel stormy too?

This book will help you as a parent to see beyond the closed-room years of adolescence and open the door to hope.

My favorite chapter was on what's called shedding skin. When a snake or lizard sheds its skin, the new growing skin cells separate from the old established skin cells, causing a marked change of appearance and producing an irritability that can result in increased snapping and hissing. Of course, reptiles shed their skin relatively quickly, so the analogy doesn't carry too far. Still, I think it's fairly parallel. Your teenager's nascent adult is separating from the confinement of childhood, causing a marked change in appearance and producing an irritability that can result in increased snapping and hissing. I think it's why teens often feel like their skin in crawling and fight against a sensation of being confined, wanting to burst free. And it's why parents often look at their teens as though they're something that just crawled out from under a rock. It even gives the reader what signs to look for and what to be concerned with.

I received this book compliments of B & B Media Group and David C. Cook publishers for my honest review and really think that anyone who interacts with teens or has teens as a parent, need to pick up this wonderful and insightful resource. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and will be referring to this one often as a reminder, I am not crazy and these things are normal. It also stands as a resource to know when to look further into situations that my kids are involved with when it comes to their friends as well.

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

The Stranger In Your House by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD with Ann McMurray

You can also visit a Place of Hope for other teen issues.