Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She has written for publications including Woman’s Day, Chicago Parent, Patheos, and her.meneutics. For more than a decade, she wrote features, restaurant profiles, and general interest columns for Sun-Times Media newspapers. She also was a health and family columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
Grant is a promiscuous reader who (usually) finishes what she starts, and is just as likely to be found reading Dinosaur Bob as Kate Chopin. She received her master’s degree in English literature with concentrations in fiction writing and critical theory from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
She lives in the Chicago area. Visit her Amazon page or on Twitter (@jennifercgrant).
Steve Laube is her literary agent.
MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family by Jennifer Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I come across a good parenting book, I am instantly mesmerized. Add a Christian perspective to it, and I am definitely hooked. Jennifer Grant has written a book that is definitely all that and more. Over my years as a mother, I have read several “mother” books, but this is probably one of the best I have ever read. It is practical, humorous, and above all, non-condemning!
In the past, I have read mothering books that made me feel like I had to do A, B, and C in order to be a better mom. Oh, and if I didn’t X, Y, and Z, I was going to mess my child up for life! I am so glad that Jennifer Grant does not take that view. She even shares stories of other’s mistakes (including hers) that makes mother realize that if we are going to mess up (and sometimes mess up big!). And it is okay. We do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time.
I share her view of little kids. I struggled through my daughter’s early years, but I am enjoying her now. It does get easier. Even though there are other issues that will arise, I am glad my daughter is the age she is now. No more diapers or bottles.
My favorite page in the book was her take on the “Serenity Prayer.” I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, but I definitely want to frame a copy for my wall! I also was comforted when she talked about the different “bad mom” names she has had to endure over the years. I know how it feels to have someone criticize your parenting skills. Not fun at all!
I have no criticisms at all except she needs some companion guide to this that has some of her inspiring sayings. It would be neat to do this as a light, fun mom’s study with some kind of interactive workbook. But until that happens, I will just go back and read certain parts when I get to feeling down as a mother.
I highly recommend this to every mother who has ever felt like a bad mom or had a bad mom day. It is a quick, uplifting read that will inspire and encourage you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
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Momumental was so encouraging to me as a mom. Jennifer Grant offers solid advice, not just on parenting but on how to be intentional about building a family culture. She writes honestly about her own mistakes, her own perfectionism, and how her own family of origin impacted her. She also tells beautiful stories about her family that made me laugh and cry. I’m recommending this book who anyone who is raising children—which is a messy but beautiful art.
