Category Archives: Professional Development

Then I Became a Mother: Book Review and Giveaway

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MSG

By: Jennifer Mullen

My best friend from my childhood called me awhile back to inform me that she was reading our blog. This surprised me until I realized that she was trying to tell me she was expecting her first child. I squealed in excitement. A million things flooded my mind of what I wanted to share with her. Things I wish someone would have told me. I simply could not put into words all my thoughts. Too much to tell with too much distance between us. So, I congratulated her and left it at that. After all she would figure it out sooner or later like we all did.

A few weeks later she posted a link on Facebook to a book that her cousin had written about the process of becoming a mother. I checked it out. It was hysterical and spot on! It was everything I wanted to tell my friend and so much more.

Then I Became a Mother, by Robin Kramer is a must read for every expecting mother, new mom, or any mom of young children. Kramer has an uncanny ability to use the written word to mentor a mother’s heart. Her writing style seemed as intimate and genuine as having coffee with a dear friend.

Kramer used the humor that comes with day-to-day parenting to make her nine pieces of advice relatable and easy to accept.

Her antidotes convinced me that I was not an anomaly. I truly wish that I had read this book years ago when I was in trudging through sleep training and breastfeeding. But there was plenty of advice for me to still benefit from such as avoiding comparisons, redefining accomplishments, and adjusting my standard for a clean house.

I am confident that my dear childhood friend now has received coherent and sound advice that will serve her well in the first few years of parenting.

If you or someone you know would benefit from this book, you can order an e-copy of this book here. Also, you can do a book study with it in your mother’s group or with a few of your friends. Click here to download free discussion guides. If you would like to read more from Robin Kramer, check out her blog: Pink Dyer Lint.

Giveaway:

Robin Kramer has graciously offered an e-copy of Then I Became a Mother as a giveaway to Mosaic of Moms. We are going to do a drawing for the winner from our subscribers. If you have not yet subscribed, go ahead and do it now.

At the top of the right hand column enter your e-mail address. You will receive an e-mail to confirm your subscription. Once you do that, you are entered to win! You will also start receiving e-mails when we post articles to our blog which is only twice (on rare occasions three times) a week.

A Few Quick Rules:

All entries must be submitted by January 18, 2013 at 11:59 CST.
The winner will be selected via random.org and and be notified by e-mail. If we do not hear back from the winner within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.

Why MOPS? Because You Are Not Alone!

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“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

By: Jennifer Mullen

It’s that time of year again. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group leaders around the world are making preparations for the mothers who they will be ministering to this year. They are planning for guest speakers, crafts, discussion groups, and childcare. They are praying for the mothers who will walk through the doors of the churches where they meet. They are striving to provide a warm environment for growth of friendship, parenting skills, and future ministry leadership skills. They want you to know: “You are not alone.”

In the Fall of 2008, I entered the fellowship hall of my church with a 9 month old baby to be greeted by Melissa Pope who I already knew from church. She introduced me to Kerri Young and Gretchen Speer, both of whom were serving that year on the MOPS steering team. I knew very little about parenting and how to cope as a stay-at-home-mom. This group of women provided the support for me to start to get my feet on the ground. The friendships I have made over the years being in MOPS have shaped my life! Little did I know, down the road God would call me into a ministry through the writing of this blog with those amazing women I met in that first meeting!

If you are looking for a group to encourage you through this stage of motherhood, please consider MOPS. There are over 4,000 MOPS groups that meet worldwide. To find one near you, click here. If there is not one near you, consider chartering one with your church. You could never imagine the ripple effect of having/being in a MOPS group could have on yourself, your church, your community, and your world. Like their tagline says: ”Better Moms Make a Better World!”

For more information visit MOPS International.

Dear Mama, Rest… Love, Me

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“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:2-3

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Matthew 11:28-29a.

Dear Mama,

You need a break. You need some time to pursue your interests. You need to rest. Yes, you. “How?” you ask. I’ll give you some suggestions.

Love, Me

HOW

1) Your husband CAN handle it. He’s not a babysitter, he’s the dad. If he does things differently than you would it’s not wrong. As a team you should agree that both of you need “you” time. Figure out the best way to make it happen.

2) Partner with a friend or neighbor. You watch her kids; she watches yours.

3) Babysitter! If you can’t afford one find a younger girl that can be a mother’s helper. Give her firm guidelines and have some activities ready.

WHY

1) You need a break from your kids, and they need to learn they can get along without you. They can learn to trust.

2) It’s important to maintain or develop interests apart from your children. Yes, being a mom is consuming in good and bad ways, but it shouldn’t be the entire definition of who you are.

3) It’s important that you are a good example to your children. Taking time to exercise, maintain your health, read the Bible and trying new things are good things for your children to see you doing.

I know that I’ve made it seem simple in this short post. In some ways it is, but in some ways it isn’t. For some mamas it will take more work than others. The moms at Mosaic of Moms can try to give you specific suggestions if you want to send us your questions. And I’m not just talking to new mommies, you moms who have been at this for a while may need to re-evaluate.

Professional Development for Moms

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If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

As a licensed teacher in the state of Arkansas, I am required to complete 60 hours of professional development on a yearly basis. Every profession has requirements for continuing education so that the individual stays up to speed in their area of expertise.

My current “profession”, of course, is Motherhood. When my first child was born, I read all the books I could get my hands on. I was clueless! Now, however, I rely more on my experience, my weekly e-mail from babycenter.com and the research that I do to help answer the big issues that concern the situation at hand.

I always have good intentions. There is a stack of books on my night stand that address topics ranging from the dietary needs of a preschooler to disciple of a strong-willed child. Needless to say these books have a thick layer of dust on them. At the end of the day, when I have spent all day taking care of my children and husband, the last thing that I want to do is read about my struggles.

I have told my husband that I need a professional development day. When I taught, we would have whole days designated for just that. The kids would get a day off and the teachers would learn. When the students returned, the teachers had new perspectives.

We want to hear from you! What books have helped you in the area of parenthood? How do you make time to read those said books? Are there any books that you would like the MOMS to review?

by Jennifer Mullen