When we as little girls dream of growing up and having a family of our own to love and take care of, I seldom think that that daydream involves the sleepless nights, the crying and the overall mess of having a family.
Jennifer Grant, author of the book MOMumental, grew up with a childhood dream of being the perfect mom. Like the rest of us, she realized that having the “perfect” kids in a “perfect” home was not a true reality. Rather than give up, although I’m sure she wanted to, Jennifer wrote the book MOMumental.
Jennifer Grant has four children ages 15, 13, 12, and 10 and now has a more realistic view of parenting. She calls her view “Velveteen Parenting” after the Velveteen Rabbit.
“Now, years later, after being broken in by time and exasperation and days when I want to run after my own kids with a wooden spoon, I no longer look to others or to myself to be ideal mothers. Now, like the Velveteen Rabbit, I’ve become, well more REAL. My furs been rubbed off. My heart has stretched and expanded. The shine is gone. Now I can say with confidence that much as we may long to do so, we cannot create perfect homes and families….We must….confess our mistakes and bad choices, accept forgiveness, and give ourselves the chance to start again. Over and over and over again.”
Wow! I think all the moms out there in the world need to hear this! Jennifer’s book is filled with funny, humorous and moving stories from her own life and experiences. While sharing these experiences with us, Jennifer creates a bond with all mothers everywhere, because everyone can identify with them.
Some of Jennifer’s guidelines in the book include:
Choose your battles – let me tell you I NEED to remember this SO badly
Keep your eyes open and look with a critical eye at what the culture is dishing up to your children.
Remind yourself that children are NOT little adults – this is another one that I have to remember. My kids are KIDS!
Ask questions of yourself such as “What do I want our family to be like? 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.
I love Jennifer’s book MOMumental! So many times, while parenting my children, I feel alone at what I am going through. I know that there are other moms around me and I know that most of them are going through the same things, but reading MOMumental helped me see that there is a mom who struggles with the same parenting dilemmas I have and has advice to help me through it.
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AgnesM says
My biggest parenting struggle is to get the kids to do what I ask of them without having to repeat myself more than once!
Maegan Morin says
Currently the biggest struggle that we have with our son is getting him to eat his food. He will eat two bites and say that he is full when we know that he is not. Either way its the typical struggle that everyone has with a toddler lol
Linda A says
To have my spouse “be on the same page as me” when it comes to dicipline.
Gemma says
I agree with AgnesM, getting them to do what is asked the first time is often tough!
amanda roach says
controlling my temper when its been a long hard day.
Journeysof TheZoo says
Knowing when to step in and when to let them figure things out for themselves (in general) and especially with respect to sibling rivalry.
kelly says
Right now it is potty training
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
letting go and letting them be there own person
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Nancy T says
Repeat, repeat, repeat! My 5 (almost 6) yr old has a stubborn streak and digs her heels in sometimes – however even when she doesn’t I still have to repeat, repeat, repeat to get her & her sister to do things. I try not to repeat but I get frustrated when they don’t listen the first time.
Barbara says
I have one getting ready to graduate and one starting high school, so I imagine my perspective is a bit different. 🙂 The toughest thing for me is trusting that I have raised them right and finding the balance between advising and just being there for them while they make their own decisions.
Fan R. says
The most difficult for me to be a good example, I have some bad habits(like eating sweets, leaving everything for next day etc) and I do not want my kiddos to be like this, but that means I have to show how to.
teddyoutready2(at)gmail(dot)com
Kala says
My biggest struggle is trying not to compare my children
Athena says
Getting my children to listen to me the first time around or even the second, they have selective hearing and it can try on my patience.
Elva Roberts says
May 23-One of my struggles was with not allowing my youngest to go ‘steady’ until she was sixteen. I remember it well!-el03ro
judy gregory says
my daughter getting “sick” every time i had a test or something important to do at college
Erika K says
My biggest struggle is giving my son more independence. I want to always be there to watch over him and I know he’s at an age where he needs to do more on his own.
andalene says
…trying to keep God and the Bible in all things we do. It’s hard in this day, to teach your children what you believe and have them take it seriously and in relevance to their lives. I hope we can do a good enough job that will make the difference. [no offense to any other beliefs/religions/spiritualities]
Jackie says
finding the line between being firm and being a pushover. It’s hard for me to stick to my guns sometimes.
corey says
Parenting – everyday is a struggle. Respect when they talk to us is a big one.
Katy Emanuel says
My daughter is only 8 months, so our biggest struggle right now is dealing with her temper tantrums
Dreena says
Patience!!! is my struggle at this point.
Angie Andrews says
my biggest struggle is learning how to best parent a highly sensitive child and teach him to control his sometimes violent temper
alissa apel says
Blocking out the sound effects. I have 2 young boys with lots of energy.
Debbie P says
No kids yet, but hopefully soon. I work with kids and know it takes a lot of patience. Thanks.
mallory richardson says
My biggest struggle right now is trying to be patient when my daughter has one of her temper tantrums. She has the worst temper tantrums which involve screaming at the top of her lungs and throwing things.
Crystal D. says
My biggest struggle is handling his once in awhile bouts of anger. He’s only 19 months old but he has such a little temper on him!
Samorjj says
Having to work full time and somehow still try to be there for important school activities and events.
Jen M says
My 3 year old would much rather stay at home than go anywhere! It’s a struggle all the time to get him ready or to take him outside…
tennille says
my son can be very stubborn at times!!!! and of course the whole not listening thing
Jeanne B.T. says
I hardest part is being a single parent now and having to try and fill in the void there father has left in their life now. He is to busy being single to be a dad. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
Sami Thomson says
My biggest struggle is the constant fighting between my twins – they always fight over clothes, toys, who’s sitting where- it’s very tiring.
Brandy @insanemamacita says
My biggest struggle is trying to be positive even during the tough days. Once I get in a mood, it’s hard to get out of it.
Jennifer Grant says
Wow – these are all such great comments. One of the best surprises for me about having written this book is hearing other parents’ stories and learning over and over how we all go through the same kinds of struggles. We are all in this together, no?
Teresa M. says
Working full time and raising my children.
Jenna G says
I too am a working single mom, and what is the hardest thing for me is missing the girls while I work and wishing I was a stay at home mom or had a flexible schedule.