Deliberate Motherhood: 12 Key Powers of Peace, Purpose, Order & Joy
by The Power of Moms
Paperback, 256 pages
Published September 1st 2013
by Familius
Non- fiction, Parenting
ISBN 1938301900
Book Source: Publicist
4 stars

Book Summary: The outstanding authors of Deliberate Motherhood have let the trials and hardships of motherhood mold them into better people. Whether the change includes learning patience when the two-year-old “paints” your walls with the black permanent marker or forgiving a teenager who screams “I hate you,” or loving more when that naughty child doesn’t really deserve it, it’s a change that refines us—or as the dictionary describes it, “removes impurities, makes something more effective or become more elegant.” That is powerful!

You may think that everything has been said about motherhood, but the delightful thing about Deliberate Motherhood is that every mother/author is one-of-a-kind. They each come from different backgrounds, have different parents, are married (or not) to different people, and certainly have “different” children.

Each of the 12 “Powers” provided in this book is a crucial component to help you in your motherhood. And the best part is that you don’t need to do it all at once. You can focus on one “power” a month, and over the course of a year, you’ll see great changes in yourself and in your family. The mark of a great book is that it makes you think . . . and it helps you change . . . which in the case of this book, is an absolute guarantee!

Review: My first contact with the Power of Moms came about three years ago when a woman in  my neighborhood invited me to join her learning circle– a group where women get together once a month, read an article and discuss their hopes, challenges and goals in motherhood. Over that year, I became more socially anxious and found that meeting together in a group wasn’t working for me at that time of life. We had another baby, adding number five to our family, and just this year decided to pick up the learning circles again and give it another shot. About the same time I was contacted by BookSparksPR to do a blog tour and review for a new book on motherhood published by the same group that puts on the learning circles. For some, reading a book or going online feels more comfortable than an in home gathering. So this book, Deliberate Motherhood is a great resource to put on the shelves of all women across the world “whose hands rock the cradle.”

Deliberate Motherhood explores 12 “Powers,” starting off with a large written section, family photos and blog links by each chapter author, and ending with personal stories from a variety of mothers. The chapter authors were most interesting to me as they had more time to fully explore acceptance, love, patience, balance. I most enjoyed the specific examples like what traditions they’ve found fun and how they’ve learned to find joy in the sometimes mundane tasks of everyday mothering.

This is a “take it a bit at a time kind of book”, rather than a “sit down and read it all in one day type of book.” I’d say leave it on your night stand or near a couch where you can refer to it often and soak in the principles one by one.

After reading Deliberate Motherhood, I found myself longing for more audio, visual content which can be found on the Power of Moms site. They have podcasts, instructional videos and a ton of material to choose from. The learning circles and retreats are wonderful for moms who like to be social and get out there to meet these wonderful women in person. But, had I not known where to look, (there is one referral sentence in the book’s conclusion), I wouldn’t have found it easily referenced through invitations to engage in the POM resources within the book. Would love to see some interactive QR codes with inspirational or life story links in the next publication.

Overall, I came away with a lot to think about and ponder. I looked up a few of the mother’s blogs to read more, but mostly turned to introspection…time thinking and praying about what needs to change and stay the same in our home.

My favorite quote from the book :  “Although I’m still resistant to change and not as flexible as I would like to be, I am a different mom than I was ten years ago. I’m different today because I have a different attitude toward parenting. Where I once sought control, now I seek to influence. Where I once thought I should intuitively have all the answers, I now realize I am still learning and ask for help when I get stuck. And where I once cared how others viewed me in my role, now I parent for my children and not the approval of other people…Today I know I’m a good mom.” Rachelle Szymanski

Thanks so much to Book Sparks PR for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour!

If you’d like to attend a bookish event for Deliberate Motherhood, check out at The King’s English book shoppe, October 24, 2013 at 7 PM.

                     

Giveaway:  For anyone who purchases the book in September and sends their receipt (or an email acknowledging purchase) to dm@powerofmoms.com, they’ll receive complimentary access to the Deliberate Mothering Podcast series (valued at $20). 

Also, on October 4^th, 10 Grand Prize Winners will be selected to receive the Power of Moms Premium Package (valued at $224)! 

See the POM Store for all the fabulous programs in the Premium Package. For all the information on this special giveaway, visit here.