Book 39: From Groucy to Great

Finding Joy in the Journey of Motherhood by Ruth Schwenk with The Better Mom contributor Team www.thebettermom.com

Am I a Grouchy Mom?  All the time? Some of the time?  Truth be told I can certainly be grouchy and I definitely have triggers that set me off.  When my kids were younger I wish I could say I wasn't grouchy a lot of the time, but I know that would be false.  I think I lived in a world of "this isn't how things are suppose to be" all the time. I was so caught up in my ideals not being met that I got grumpy, and certainly took it out on those around me.  I still have days where that happens, where the to do list doesn't get done, and my focus for the day isn't met and then I get grouchy for sure. Hopefully, my kids and husband would agree that those days aren't near as often as they used to be. 

This book helps explore, from the views of multiple women, the triggers that set us off and how to respond when they are set off.  The book had some great tips, tips that I wish I had heard or read as a younger, newer Mom.  The tip that really hit me the hardest was at the end of the book. The chapter called Surrender, stop trying and start resting. What I got out of this chapter was the idea that as a Mom there are things that I must do, extra laundry, stay up with sick kids, deal with social media and teenagers, and the list could go on and on.  The thing is, that is my job.  I can fuss and complain and get grouchy because I have to do ALL those things, or I can surrender and realize that some of those things I won't like as much as others, but I wanted to be a Mom.  I wanted to have kids to love and care for, and those things go along with the job.  When I surrender to the fact that some of the things just have to be done, I can do them without being so grumpy about them.  I can take them in stride of what the job is and not be so shocked when they come up and need to be done.  I can keep my focus on the fact that God allowed me to be a Mom and that by His grace alone I can do the best job I can raising my kids.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone in any stage of motherhood.  You will either get something out of it, or most likely know someone who would and can pass it on. Five stars for sure!