MOMumental by Jennifer Grant-- Review AND a GIVEAWAY!!

Author Jennifer Grant grew up as a latchkey kid from a divorced home. As she grew up, she envisioned herself in the future as a perfect mom with perfect kids who make no mistakes. When she became a mother, reality hit and Grant embraced a “Velveteen Parenting” style that she expands upon in her book, Momumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family. Grant’s parenting style includes guidelines such as picking her battles, understanding that her children are not little adults but children who are learning and growing and are to be molded, asking questions about family, and making priorities as a family. Grant offers personal stories of her own family life as a mother so that maybe other moms can gain assurance that they are not alone in their struggles of motherhood.

In each chapter, Grant offers stories and wisdom she has gleamed in the adventures of being a mom. In the first chapter, which involves the “Adventures in Saying Yes,“ Grant argues that we must say yes to children in order to allow them to grow and make decisions and face their own consequences. At that same time we must also say no to keep our children safe and loved. In “Adventures in Accepting Conflict,” Grant argues that the perfect family is not real because situations arise in life where problems occur, arguments are made and not everyone is going to agree on a solution. Reality sets in and if you accept that you are better able to deal with it.

Other tidbits that Grant offers throughout MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family include:

• that it is okay to mess up. In fact it shows that we are human and messing up does not mean that we do not love our families any less.
• Moms need friendships to keep us grounded. Friendships allow us to vent, share and know that we are not alone.
• We may, as Moms, do things that are right for our family but that may not be right for others. For example, Grant shares her decision to not give her children access to TV the majority of the time.
• Children are NOT mini adults.
• Life as a parent is hard, especially when dealing with tough issues like 9-11, chaperoning school field trips, etc.
• Family matters and you know that by the memories that you create, the battles that you get through and your allowance of the Grace of God to lead your decisions and trust you are doing your best that you can do.

Grant also offers appendixes after her main story with tips for mothers, including a list of 5 things every Mom should have, signs of mommy burnout and ways to regain balance and a prayer for Mothers.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt is was conversational in style- like sitting with a mommy friend swapping stories. Reading this book helped me feel that I wasn’t alone in the journey of mommy hood and I just hope that one day I can help other moms in the same ways that Grant has helped me gain some confidence in my journey of Motherhood.

If you would like to buy this book, you can find it on Amazon.com. If you want to you can just click the following link to take you there. (Please note that if you buy through the link, I will be rewarded for your purchase.)

One lucky reader does not have to buy the book though in order to read it. Jennifer Grant and her publisher, Worthy Publishing, have generously given me a copy to give away to one lucky reader.

There are 2 ways to enter: (PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL WITH YOUR COMMENTS SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!)

1. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (GFC) and leave me your GFC name in the comments. (REQUIRED)
2. Leave a comment telling me your favorite Mommy tip in surviving Motherhood.

This contest will end July 18, 2012 at 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be contacted via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or new winner will be chosen. Only open to residents of USA and Canada. GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book to review and a copy to give away. All opinions expressed are my own.