Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe

I'll admit it. Sometimes I read books for other people. I'm in their shoes while I'm reading, analyzing how the book applies mostly to them. I started "Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe" certain that it would be the perfect resource for other moms out there, but unwilling to admit that I might be partly desperate too.In "Desperate," authors Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson write disarmingly, with vulnerability and grace. They create a safe place for moms to admit, "Yes, I am desperate" and a healing place for moms to find hope to move forward. So, yes. I am one of the desperate ones. Thank you Sarah & Sally."Desperate" is not a formula book, with all the answers. But it is saturated with godly wisdom. It refuses to offer trite formulas, but rather lays out insights clearly gained from seeking God in the trenches.Here are some of my favorite insights:* God is my audience.* There is a potential connection between frequently administered spankings and shame/self-loathing in young children.* Home should be a place to be enjoyed. It's not meant to be a place to live in fear of whether I'm adequately following all the standards placed on me by this or that child-rearing manual.* One of the goals of the authors is to train women to create life-giving homes.* One way to make home a place to be enjoyed is to introduce my kids to my passions--and in the big picture, I'll be making best friends with my kids.* Look out for addictions/idols that can crop up as a refuge from spending 24/7 with young children.* Examine the way Jesus discipled his followers as I seek to disciple my kids.* A question to ask regularly: "What did I do to whisper the secrets of the kingdom of heaven into the hearts of my children today?"* Jacob wrestling with the angel is a picture of what God wants me to do as I pray for my kids: to prevail, to keep holding on, to seek God and expect Him to bless us."Desperate" isn't just meant to be a read-it-and-forget-it book. It's written with growth in the context of community in mind. Each chapter ends with study/discussion questions. Each chapter also ties in with a 3-minute author interview on YouTube.Mae & Clarkson have crafted a resource for young moms that is the perfect balm for a worn-out soul. I believe "Desperate" is poised to impact not just a generation of moms, but also, by God's grace, this current generation of children under our care.I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

When I first heard about this book being released entitled "Desperate, HOPE for the mom who needs to breathe," I was eager to access a copy and dive into the writings of Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson, two authors I had already come to respect and appreciate through their other writings. These heart-felt, real, story-like chapters open up the raw genuine feelings many mothers face, yet may be afraid to admit or address. "I just can't be a mother today," reads a line on the back of the book. Even with good intentions and strong desires to be a Godly mother, many of us run out of our own strength and stamina. Yet the very Lord, who gave us these dear children as they are, has arranged everything for us to seek Him first and need Him desperately through the journey. We may be desperate, but NOT defeated! This is not a method-filled read or a series of expert's recommendations, but a book with a goal to turn mothers first to see they are not alone in the battle, to seek God first, and to pray for companions to pursue with. Sarah Mae has the close up view of the motherhood adventures with tales of life with her babies and toddlers fresh for sharing, while Sally has the bird's eye vision of the journey with her life lived to raise her children through much learning, failing, turning and seeking out God's ways. Together, they mentor and shepherd the reader tenderly and empathetically through anecdotes, lessons learned in retrospect, scripture portions, and questions to consider. I appreciate their heart to reach mothers and silence the lies of the enemy who desires to isolate, attack and depress mothers who could be key warriors to raise children for God's purpose. As some have said before, this book reads like chatting with a friend over coffee. It's comforting, encouraging, enlighteging, uplifting and profitable for your time. A wise purchase indeed!

I dont usually do book reviews but i just had to do this one. Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson have written a book called "Desperate: Hope For The Mom Who Needs To Breathe" and I want to tell you about it - in fact i really want to shout it from the rooftops!! It is a wonderfully written book - a conversation between a mum who is in the midst of the struggles of having younger children, and a mum who has been there and come out the other side. It is full of godly wisdom, taking you back to the Bible time and time again, reminding us that we aren't alone. Not only so we have other mums all over the world who are going through the exact same emotions as us, but as God's children we have the Holy Spirit living in us, there to help us when we just seek Him.I have four boys and being in a house full of boys toys and boisterous souls has really challenged me - a girly girl! But God has a wonderful plan for each of us and He chose ME to be their mum, even in the midst of my pain and struggles, and I know He is there to help me every step of the way. I need to remember this every day - and this book really helped me to re-focus and take real joy in the stage of life we are in.I would advise any mum who is struggling, who feels as if she is being pulled apart and can't breathe, to get this book and to really get back what God says about being a mum. You will cry, laugh and be amazed as they appear to be talking about your life... and you will find verses, tips and love in every page. There are even videos of the two authors linked at the end of each chapter, and questions for you to answer to get the most out of the book.

I am so incredibly encouraged and inspired by this book. It's very honest but yet hopeful. They provide some wonderful direction and practical ideas on what us mothers might be needing in this journey. Ultimately and most importantly, it pushes us back to trusting Jesus, which is the best advice we could ever ask for. These ladies wrote from their hearts and is draws us readers in and allows us to feel like they were talking just to us.I've sent it to a bunch of young mom friends. I have a group of moms getting together to talk and pray and work out practically what this could look like for each of us and how we can support each other along the way.I have been blessed by this book.

Well I am three quarters of the way through this and am finding it sensible, realistic and not full of formulas to try that leave you feeling like you will never be able to live up to them. The writers' point is specifically NOT to do that, but to offer Godly advice and is written as a series of letter between a young mother and her older mentor, then follows thoughts from each of them in each chapter. I read the first two chapters with tears streaming down my face and it made me totally readjust my attitude to my two feisty boys. It just seems like common sense from. Christian point of view, it's non judgmental and very helpful for mothers who find parenting hard and wonder if they're doing it right. It reaffirms the importance of being a mother and I'm glad I bought it.

We just started this book as part of a mommy ministry in our community and we LOVE this book! Sarah and Sally really have a great way of putting everything into relatable terms, whether you are a new mom or you've been on this trek for a while. It gives great hope and comfort knowing that our struggles aren't foreign! I'll read this book again and again! We also purchased the DVD that has reviews at the end of each chaper; great for our group setting!

I highly recommend this book. It is easy to read (chapters are short and fit nicely in a coffee break!) and packed with excellent advice. The dual perspective of the book (written by a mum to small children and a mum whose children are grown up, who's "been there") is also really helpful. This book gave me light at the end of a dark tunnel, and I fully identified with so much that was in it.If you are struggling and wondering if it is worth the pain, this book is for you. Even if you are one of those blessed mums who just seems to glide through parenthood without stress, this book is still for you. It's overall message is to trust yourself as a parent, and pursue God above all things, which is what we all need to hear.

I loved this book! It was exactly what I needed. Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson make a wonderful pair, the younger mom learning from the more experienced mom, giving the reassurance that we are not alone in our feelings or our struggles. A great reminder that despite my imperfections and failings, God is always faithful. As Sally says, "You are exactly the mom your children need."