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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.
