motherhood – Page 26 – Lemon Drop Pie

As soon as I read the back cover of Momology: A Mom’s Guide to Shaping Great Kids, by Shelly Radic, I was excited to start reading this book. Listed on the back are some recommendations for Momology, and among the people quoted is Dr. Mary Manz Simon. She is the author of one of my favorite devotion books, Little Visits for Toddlers. Dr. Simon writes, “The ideas and solutions from real moms in Momology ooze with authenticity…” I couldn’t wait to dig in!

As I was talking about my opportunity to read and review Momology at my MOPS Steering Committee meeting, one of the moms asked me, “How do you have the time to read?” That’s a difficult question to answer. I have a stack on books on my nightstand begging for my attention, and a library list longer than my arm of all the books I want to read. Being a mom is a full time job, and I had plenty of excuses not to read Momology!

Excuse #1: I don’t have time to read a book about mothering because I’m too busy, mothering!

Momology is written, using the author’s words, in “short, naptime-sized bites.” And it’s true! Included in this book are stories of successes (and failures) from real moms, outcomes from surveys, the author’s own experiences, and places to record your own thoughts. Coming soon, there will be a way to share your thoughts with a community of mothers on a website: mom-ology.org. I also appreciated the quick reviews at the end of each section, so that I could remember what I had read a few days earlier!

Excuse #2: Expert opinions are a dime a dozen. I really don’t want to hear what another expert has to say.

Shelly Radic is a mom, and she draws on her experience as a mother while writing this book. What I loved about Momology is that Shelly knows what it’s like to make mistakes. She never claims to be the perfect mother! And she doesn’t expect her readers to be perfect mothers, either. She writes about how to turn weaknesses into strengths and how to take time for yourself without feeling guilty. She talks about how difficult discipline can be, and how to surround yourself with support. She talks about drawing on God for strength in our mothering, and that brings me to my next excuse:

Excuse #3: I don’t like reading Christian books. They are a little too “preachy” for my taste.

Instead of using a “preachy” tone, Shelly tells us about a loving God. She reminds us that we are wonderfully made, and that God has specifically designed us as mothers to meet our children’s needs. Through other mothers’ stories, she shares with us how moms call upon God to be their strength during difficult times, and how He blesses us every day. She gives practical advice for taking time with God during our hectic days. One of my favorite pieces of advice is how to say a “Breath Prayer.” For example, here is the Jesus Prayer. It goes like this:

Inhale deeply with, “Lord Jesus Christ.”
Exhale slowly with, “Have mercy on me.”

Not only does this prayer bring comfort, but it can change your whole reaction in a stressful situation!

At the beginning of Momology, Shelly grabbed me with this sentence about her own mother:

“Like the B on the baker’s cake, my mothering was marked by her mothering.”

She kept me reading through her practical advice that really works. I can see myself turning to Momology again and again for support and encouragement. What a great resource for moms!

Available June 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. The only compensation I received for reviewing this book was a complimentary copy, courtesy of Revell.

The Berenstain Bears and the Mama’s Day Surprise by Stan & Jan Berenstain

I need to start off by saying I have never been a fan of The Berenstain Bears. When I was teaching second grade, the Berenstain Bear section was the area some of my students headed to first. While the books can teach some good lessons, such as not watching too much TV, not eating too much junk food, and not getting the “gimmies,” I never thought of these books as being good literature for children. But I do have to admit they encouraged my reluctant readers to read, and that is a good thing.

Enter children of my own.

For my first Mother’s Day, my husband gave me several books about Mother’s Day, including The Berenstain Bears and the Mama’s Day Surprise. As soon as Lily was old enough, she would take this book off the shelf and ask me to read it. I would protest; she would insist. Once again I would read the story of bumbling Papa Bear and the cubs preparing a breakfast surprise for Mama, that of course is not really a surprise. Mama sees all, makes sure all the supplies are in the kitchen, and pretends to be surprised when Mother’s Day finally dawns. The true surprise at the end of the book is that Papa and the cubs present Mama with a completely clean kitchen.

So why did I share a book with you that I gave a less-than-glowing review?

Well, over time, while not actually liking this book, I can tolerate it. And both the girls love reading it. Every household has a few books that a child loves and the parents dislike.

Plus, it gave me an opportunity to share a fantastic recipe with you! Papa Bear and the cubs made Mama Bear “Honeyed French Toast with Blueberries”. The following recipe comes from Every Day with Rachael Ray. I make it for lunch, not breakfast, and it is one of the girls’ favorite things!

Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast Sticks

1/2 cup peanut butter
8 slices sandwich bread
1/2 cup jelly (any flavor) (We didn’t have jelly, so we used honey instead. Doesn’t that fit the bear theme better, anyway?)
5 large eggs
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 T. butter
1/2 cup maple syrup

Spread the peanut butter on 4 bread slices and the jelly (honey) on the other 4, and combine to make 4 sandwiches.

In a wide, medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. When the butter is almost melted, dunk two of the sandwiches into the french toast batter and let the excess drip off. Place in the pan and cook until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 2 sandwiches. Let cool slightly and cut into sticks; serve with maple syrup.

For more Mother’s Day books, visit Janna at The Adventure of Motherhood by clicking on the button below!