Feed Me Books Friday for Moms and kids

Since this weekend is Mother's Day, I am following along with many of the book reviews on the Adventures of Motherhood on Feed Me Books Friday and focus on Moms.  Two will be for kids and two will be just for moms.

Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingbury:  While I do not own this book, I have always wanted to buy it.  In this book Kingsbury encourages parents to remember not just the "first" moments of celebrations (first steps, words, reading first book, first day at school, first dance recital or baseball game...), but rather to remember those "lasts" moments as well.  I think the reason this books really speaks to me is that we now have a 16 and 17 yr. old and our time with them is short.  It seemed when they were little, we were so overwhelmed with all the moments and new "adventures" we were dealing with and experiencing that we lived each day/week just trying to make it to the next!  If you get a chance to read this, I can't promise it will make those difficult and "wild" younger years easier, but is does help with a little perspective. 

With the tenderness of a mother speaking directly to her child, Karen reminds us not to miss last days of kindergarten and last at bats in Little League amidst the whirlwind of life.

Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox.  This is a delightful Australian book that we happened upon after two of our kids traveled there as Student Ambassadors a few years ago.  We fell in love with it, but I can so much relate to this Momma frustration as she is having "one of those days" as her young daughter proceeds to knock things over, fidgets, pulls off a tablecloth at lunch, drip paint, and more. While the Mom desperately tries to  handle each even with love and patience, the day wears on and you find her patience very thin as each time the Mom says to child:  "Harriet, my darling child. Harriet, you'll drive me wild.  

 For Moms: Years ago, when Oldest and Only were wee little ones, someone gave me a book that was a tremendous encouragement to me that I wanted to share it with you.  If you were look through my copy of a Focus on the Family book Mom, You're Incredible! by Linda Weber, you would find many underlined passages.  Here are a few of my favorites: 

"Motherhood develops the heart and spirit of our kids; it nurtures self-esteem and emotional security. Kids who had great mothers enjoy self-confidence and a sense of directions for their lives."

 Because mother is like sowing seeds, you often don't see the fruits right away.  It's takes time to reap the reward. There are no guarantees, either.

If you're looking for a book that glowingly talks about how everyday as a Mom is wonderful and there is never any trials, pass this one up. I think it is honest, encouraging, and a spring of refreshment in a dry desert at times.  Here are some of the chapter titles:

• Is There Light at the end of the Tunnel?
• Did you say Just a Mother? 
• Can we Really make a difference?
• Oh, They'll turn out all Right... Won't they?
• How Can the Single Mom Do it?
• But What about Personal Fulfillment?
• What do you say to the Working Mom?
• What do you do when your World falls Apart
• What makes an Incredible Mom? 

The back of the book states:

"A Heartwarming Tribute to Mothers: Motherhood is not an entry-level service position for mindless, insecure, second-class citizens. It is the noblest callings. To be entrusted with the very life, health, and well-being of a tiny human person is a great gift and honor. To realize this small child reflects traits and characteristics of you, your spouse, and your families is a mind-shattering and heart-rending realization. To invest your time and best efforts into a child and to watch him grow, develop, and excel is to be part of the creative majesty of life itself."  Linda Weber

I hope that you'll get the chance to read one of these books from your local church or public library and find that You're absolutely incredible and a treasure to your family!  I would love for you to share what wisdom can you share that has helped you through this adventure called Motherhood. 

Lynnet