What were you doing 9 years ago? I was a mom to two of the most adorable little kids ever! I remember the feelings of being overwhelmed. I remember feeling the stress to keep everything in check. I remember being afraid I would fail at this whole balancing mom act. Now, 9 years later, I am a mom of three (ages 14, 10 and 7) with two businesses that I run from my home. I look back and I must admit, 9 years ago… a lot has changed. With the fall of the economy many moms have been forced to learn how to live, and find some balance with their own lives.
It’s also been 9 years since a book in the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff series has been published. Kristine Carlson, Richard Carlson’s wife, and author of some of the series’ books as well as her own bestselling An Hour to Live, An Hour to Love: The True Story of the Best Gift Ever Given has released Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff For Moms ($13.99). Kristine’s message is quite clear, find joy amidst the chaos.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff For Moms is broken down into 100 short and sweet chapters. Chapters provide you with a little story using real life situations and great solutions to boot! For instance, my favorite chapter is #46, When Teens Want To Party. Why is that my favorite chapter? My daughter will be entering high school in the fall and we know that with high school comes parties. They are not preventable. I absolutely love what Kristine does with her daughters 18th birthday and many of her suggestions to a happy, fun and yes, safe party would be something I wouldn’t have a problem doing myself. It actually does put me at ease knowing that there are times when you can be more of a friend to your child, but when times call for it, they don’t need any more friends…they need their parent to keep them safe and guide them into make good choices.
Another chapter that hit a bit closer to home is chapter 1. , There’s No Such Thing As A Perfect Mom. I learned this early on too after the birth of my first child. I can clearly remember sitting on my stairs crying to my mom on the phone telling her I didn’t think I do this…this meaning…everything! I had a new baby, I was working, I was in a new home, I was far away from my family and friends, and I felt all alone. My mom gave me “permission” not to be perfect and she made me realize that I couldn’t do it all. I wasn’t superwoman… I was mom, a mom who has made her fair share of mistakes and has been able to show my children that it’s ok to make mistakes as it is all a part of learning and without mistakes we never advance.
There are so many other chapters that I just love because it makes me see that I was not the only one experiencing situations that at the time may have been a bit stressful, but Kristine shares with you that it doesn’t have to be stressful at all…it’s all a part of being mom…and owning the title and being proud of the title! 🙂
*If you know of an expecting mom, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff For Moms is a light-hearted, easy to read book that would make the perfect Mothers Day gift for her.
