Giveaway: MOMumental

I recently had an opportunity to review MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family. This was an excellent, uplifting book. Most parents dream of being the "perfect mom" - but when you have four children, as writer Jennifer Grant does (her children are now 15, 13, 12, and 10), you realize that survival is more important than perfection. Quite honestly, with my two kids I feel that survival is more important most of the time!


She describes her parenting style Velveteen Rabbit parenting (like the rabbit in the story who becomes more real, with fur rubbed off and shine gone, but full of love. No matter what your parenting style is, she has tips that apply to all parents:

• Choose your battles.
• Keep your eyes open and look with a critical—and often delighted—eye at what the culture is dishing up to your children. Teach your children to do the same.
• Remind yourself that children are not little adults, but are uniquely suited to grow, learn, and enjoy life in ways that many of us adults don’t remember how to do anymore.
• Ask questions such as, “What do I want our family to be like? What are our individual gifts and perspectives? What connects us as a family and brings us joy?”
• Develop certain priorities in your family’s life, such as treating each other with respect, eating together whenever possible, and attending church together.

The book is written with a humorous, gentle tone. Faith is a big part of her life, and comes out in the book as well, but her storytelling style is entertaining and enlightening without being preachy.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with the moment you felt you became a "real" mom (or dad). Deadline is May 9th.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review.