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You Are the Mother Your Children Need
The woman you want to be . . . the one who has within her every talent, gift, and ability to be what her children need? She’s already there. She is you. Motherhood is the toughest job you’ll ever take there is no interview, no job description, and no salary. When you get the position, it can be all too easy to feel underqualified and overwhelmed. But with a sweet message of encouragement, Christie Gardiner reminds women there are as many ways to be a good mother as there are mothers in this world—and there’s no one more capable of raising your children than you! In this uplifting book, mothers are encouraged to let go of the quest for perfectionism and recognize the divinity within. Discover how to own your strengths and weaknesses, and allow your true self to shine! With practical advice on learning to accept failure, holding on to your identity, and harnessing the divine help available to mothers, women will gain the confidence to embrace their uniquely perfect qualifications for the job of motherhood.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2017
About the author
Christie Gardiner
6 books22 followersChristie has enjoyed participating in speaking engagements across the country where she loves reminding groups of women that with God, they are not alone and are enough. Christie's heartfelt and quick-witted writing was first enjoyed in blog form on behalf of the Utah Jazz and Illume Gallery of Fine Art. Her performing career has spanned three decades in theater, television, film, commercials, podcasting and voiceover work. She is a longtime faculty member at the Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts where she inspires young people to increase their self-esteem through participation in the arts. She enjoys serving in her church's youth program. In her spare time you will find Christie with her husband and children, in nature or in the yoga studio teaching a class. She makes her home in Utah and occasionally, the Oregon coast.
You Are the Mother Your Children Need, is Christie's debut. Look for her next book, on shelves October 2017.
You Are the Mother Your Children Need, is Christie's debut. Look for her next book, on shelves October 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 20, 2017
You are the mother that your children need. What a profound and powerful statement. I don't know how many times I have wondered why Heavenly Father sent a particular child to me. At times I have wondered "why me," In my own inspiration I realized that that child and I needed to learn something from each other. The title of the book adds another level to what I have learned.
I found it ironic that she mentioned that readers could hide their Regency Romance in this book and pretend they were reading something useful. When I sat down to read this book, I actually grabbed my Regency Romance book and had to go back to get this one. It was a toss up for a few minutes on which book I was going to read. This one beat the Regency in many ways. I actually got something from it other than sheer entertainment. There is a lot of meat to this book. There are messages that help women realize that it's OK. We don't have to be like the neighbor who acts out the stories in the scripture, instead of just reading them. We need to be the mother that we are, because we are the mother that our children need.
The book takes a perspective that focuses not just on the here and now. Eternal perspective is part of the key. I can get lost in the details of the moment and loose sight of the goal. As mothers we need to lift up each other and help each other. Many practical concepts are discussed. It is a book that as you read it, it feels right.
This book would be a great gift for the mother's in your life. It is well worth putting down the Regency for. :) This books is written for LDS readers.
Source: I received a copy of the book from the publisher.
I found it ironic that she mentioned that readers could hide their Regency Romance in this book and pretend they were reading something useful. When I sat down to read this book, I actually grabbed my Regency Romance book and had to go back to get this one. It was a toss up for a few minutes on which book I was going to read. This one beat the Regency in many ways. I actually got something from it other than sheer entertainment. There is a lot of meat to this book. There are messages that help women realize that it's OK. We don't have to be like the neighbor who acts out the stories in the scripture, instead of just reading them. We need to be the mother that we are, because we are the mother that our children need.
The book takes a perspective that focuses not just on the here and now. Eternal perspective is part of the key. I can get lost in the details of the moment and loose sight of the goal. As mothers we need to lift up each other and help each other. Many practical concepts are discussed. It is a book that as you read it, it feels right.
This book would be a great gift for the mother's in your life. It is well worth putting down the Regency for. :) This books is written for LDS readers.
Source: I received a copy of the book from the publisher.
March 22, 2017
This book is geared toward mothers of the LDS (Mormon) faith. I really loved it because I often feel like a failure because I don't do this, I'm not like that, and my kids act like the other. This author uses encouraging and upbeat words to let mothers know everywhere that there is no perfect role--we are each exactly who we are specifically for the children we are raising. We should all embrace our strengths and talents, as small as they may seem, and use them to recognize how important our roles are in our kids' lives.
This book covers many aspects of motherhood, from failures to successes to helping others. My eyes were opened because I have to admit: there are occasional times when I wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?!" I was given my children because we can all learn and grow from each other and we are exactly what each other needs. These are great words to re-read for those rough patches and I plan on doing exactly that.
*I received a complimentary copy through the publisher, which did not affect my thoughts in any way.*
This book covers many aspects of motherhood, from failures to successes to helping others. My eyes were opened because I have to admit: there are occasional times when I wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?!" I was given my children because we can all learn and grow from each other and we are exactly what each other needs. These are great words to re-read for those rough patches and I plan on doing exactly that.
*I received a complimentary copy through the publisher, which did not affect my thoughts in any way.*
May 20, 2018
Like a lot of women, I have complicated feelings about motherhood. I don't relate to a lot of the cute, meme-worthy sayings about being a mom. "You are the mother your children need" may be an affirmation to some, but before reading this book, I was, frankly, a little skeptical about whether that statement was actually true for me. So I wasn't planning to seek this book out, even after a friend recommended it.
But then I received it from my family on Mother's Day in lieu of a card (they'd even signed the inside!), and I loved that I'd gotten a book for Mother's Day, particularly one with Caitlin Connolly's beautiful artwork on the cover. I learned that my husband had heard the aforementioned friend talk about this book at ward council, and then he had sought it out; it wasn't just an impulse buy the day before Mother's Day as I'd originally thought.
At first, this book felt about as I expected it would. It was actually really good information, and to my surprise it was anything but trite. But I also didn't feel myself really connecting with it. It wasn't until I was almost all the way through the book that I felt my heart softening toward the message.
I think I probably ought to reread this one every year. In the meantime, it'll be a good exercise for me to summarize each chapter, and maybe you'll see that this book is for you, too.
On the first page, the author summarizes her message in six words: "Show up as *you* with God." I really loved that message of vulnerability and humility. The next chapter elaborates on that theme, reminding us of our worth and divinity as a daughter of God. It was all the things I have heard before, but it's well-said.
Chapter three is a reminder that we don't need to be perfect to teach the gospel to our children, and chapter four encourages us to cherish our unique interests and abilities, because this is who our children need. Chapter five is a reminder to be intentional in our decisions with our family.
Chapter six talks about "self care," including lots of thoughts on body image as well as some on education, positive thinking, and gratitude. It's a long chapter with lots of good thoughts. This is kind of a hot topic right now, but I think the reason it's talked about so much is that we're finally understanding how important it is.
Chapter seven revisits the idea of not being perfect and, alternatively, embracing failure. Chapter eight encourages us to seek out other women as mentors and helpers as we raise our children, and to be a guiding, motherly force to all the children we come in contact with. Chapter nine revisits the idea that there is no one way to be a good mother; that we are not in competition with other moms but united in a common purpose.
Chapter ten reminds us that fathers are important, and that as we raise sons, we need to remind them of their divine worth and role. This message is not a particularly "trendy" one right now in today's world, and as a mom to three sons, I really appreciated this short chapter.
Chapter eleven was, by far, my favorite chapter of this book. The title "But If Not..." is taken from a talk by Elder Dennis E. Simmons in April 2004, which is one I remember even though it was given more than fourteen years ago. This chapter doesn't ignore the really, really tough stuff of life -- including taboo topics such as suicide or abuse -- but discusses it all in light of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, with such hope and optimism.
That's one of the things I appreciated most about this book: that it reminded me that, through Jesus Christ, we can be strengthened to the task of motherhood that is before us. This book is well-written, conversational, and doctrinal all at once. Highly recommended.
But then I received it from my family on Mother's Day in lieu of a card (they'd even signed the inside!), and I loved that I'd gotten a book for Mother's Day, particularly one with Caitlin Connolly's beautiful artwork on the cover. I learned that my husband had heard the aforementioned friend talk about this book at ward council, and then he had sought it out; it wasn't just an impulse buy the day before Mother's Day as I'd originally thought.
At first, this book felt about as I expected it would. It was actually really good information, and to my surprise it was anything but trite. But I also didn't feel myself really connecting with it. It wasn't until I was almost all the way through the book that I felt my heart softening toward the message.
I think I probably ought to reread this one every year. In the meantime, it'll be a good exercise for me to summarize each chapter, and maybe you'll see that this book is for you, too.
On the first page, the author summarizes her message in six words: "Show up as *you* with God." I really loved that message of vulnerability and humility. The next chapter elaborates on that theme, reminding us of our worth and divinity as a daughter of God. It was all the things I have heard before, but it's well-said.
Chapter three is a reminder that we don't need to be perfect to teach the gospel to our children, and chapter four encourages us to cherish our unique interests and abilities, because this is who our children need. Chapter five is a reminder to be intentional in our decisions with our family.
Chapter six talks about "self care," including lots of thoughts on body image as well as some on education, positive thinking, and gratitude. It's a long chapter with lots of good thoughts. This is kind of a hot topic right now, but I think the reason it's talked about so much is that we're finally understanding how important it is.
Chapter seven revisits the idea of not being perfect and, alternatively, embracing failure. Chapter eight encourages us to seek out other women as mentors and helpers as we raise our children, and to be a guiding, motherly force to all the children we come in contact with. Chapter nine revisits the idea that there is no one way to be a good mother; that we are not in competition with other moms but united in a common purpose.
Chapter ten reminds us that fathers are important, and that as we raise sons, we need to remind them of their divine worth and role. This message is not a particularly "trendy" one right now in today's world, and as a mom to three sons, I really appreciated this short chapter.
Chapter eleven was, by far, my favorite chapter of this book. The title "But If Not..." is taken from a talk by Elder Dennis E. Simmons in April 2004, which is one I remember even though it was given more than fourteen years ago. This chapter doesn't ignore the really, really tough stuff of life -- including taboo topics such as suicide or abuse -- but discusses it all in light of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, with such hope and optimism.
That's one of the things I appreciated most about this book: that it reminded me that, through Jesus Christ, we can be strengthened to the task of motherhood that is before us. This book is well-written, conversational, and doctrinal all at once. Highly recommended.
April 26, 2017
Nothing revolutionary, but good solid reminders none-the-less. Well written. She had a few points that stuck out to me in a new way that I appreciated.
The audio version is a little hard to listen to because of the sweet voice, so I would recommend reading it yourself.
The audio version is a little hard to listen to because of the sweet voice, so I would recommend reading it yourself.
April 1, 2017
It was hard for me to rate this book. I think that a new mother would probably devour this book whole and rate it with five stars enthusiastically. As a matter of fact, my dear friend who is a mother to two boys, ages 3 and 2, bought a copy of this book for all of us at girls night and insisted we read it. She said she was on her second read through, and it has helped her so much in her motherhood journey.
I've been at this motherhood thing for 12.5 years, and four kids later, I definitely still have lessons to learn about mothering. However, I felt like this book had nothing new for me. I'd heard it all before. It was all stuff I knew, things I feel comfortable with and believe. I kept reading each new section and thinking, "Yeah, I got this."
I highly recommend this book to new mothers, or mothers who are struggling with wondering if they are enough, if you have it in you to be MOM. If you are like me and have been at this for a while, your feet hit the ground running years ago, perhaps do as I'm doing and hunt down the nearest book on how not to strangle your tween :D
I've been at this motherhood thing for 12.5 years, and four kids later, I definitely still have lessons to learn about mothering. However, I felt like this book had nothing new for me. I'd heard it all before. It was all stuff I knew, things I feel comfortable with and believe. I kept reading each new section and thinking, "Yeah, I got this."
I highly recommend this book to new mothers, or mothers who are struggling with wondering if they are enough, if you have it in you to be MOM. If you are like me and have been at this for a while, your feet hit the ground running years ago, perhaps do as I'm doing and hunt down the nearest book on how not to strangle your tween :D
May 16, 2017
I loved the messages in this book. I loved the way she wrote, that helped me relate to her and her situation, because so often I felt she was talking about me and my life! I loved the parallels to the gospel and how it is her foundation for being a mom and who she is. I loved her message that I am enough being the mom that I am. Very uplifting read for me.
March 30, 2017
This book was exactly what I needed to read. I absolutely loved it! Christie Gardiner captured my attention the moment I started reading. I related to the author more than I thought. I understood. I was inspired and uplifted and felt I was the mother my children needed. I know I was sent the children I was given because I was the one that Heavenly Father trusted to take care of them. I have three children and there isn’t a dull moment. Eli is six, Elizabeth is three and Olivia is 21 months. I have learned and grown differently from each one. Christie reminded me about a bazillion times (in the first chapter) that “You are the mother your children need.” I thought that it could be applied to anyone, “you are the father or sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandpa, grandma, etc etc of your children/grandchildren.” In chapter six, she talked about caring for your body, mind, and spirit. I loved what she said under Care for our spirits, “We go to church weekly. When we come home with our kids in tow, there really should be fans cheering us on as we pull into our driveway. Throngs of people clapping for a job well done… We survived. From the time your baby is mobile until they go to nursery, you can pretty much forget about any sort of normal Church experience.” I laughed out loud at this because that is exactly where I’m at. I would love to get a shirt that says, “I survived Sacrament meeting.” Because, aren’t we all just trying to survive? There were many quotes I found entertaining and I loved her writing style. I have recommended all of my friends, family, etc to read this book because I thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover. I will look forward to any other book Christie Gardiner writes, hint hint…
September 16, 2017
This was a great morale booster. I actually liked the 2nd half better than the first- maybe because I found the 2nd half more applicable to me? I don't know. I , too, believe being a mother is the best but hardest job imaginable for me and Christie reminds the reader that keeping things in perspective can help a lot on those bad days! She is down to earth, funny and has some good tips (I really liked the failure trophy section). 2 of my favorite quotes:
"We spent our entire lives pre-motherhood subconsciously scripting for ourselves what motherhood was supposed to be." That's totally me. And "[Christ] did not set out to fix people. He set out to love then so purely that they would fix themselves". Love that! Full of reminders to be a little gentler on ourselves and look for the positive. Also the chapters were pretty short so even a busy mom can read a little when she has time!
"We spent our entire lives pre-motherhood subconsciously scripting for ourselves what motherhood was supposed to be." That's totally me. And "[Christ] did not set out to fix people. He set out to love then so purely that they would fix themselves". Love that! Full of reminders to be a little gentler on ourselves and look for the positive. Also the chapters were pretty short so even a busy mom can read a little when she has time!
January 23, 2018
At first I thought this book was very cliche, and completely "feel good" therapeutic drivel. But the more I read, the more I found actual substance, and the more I bought into what Gardiner is selling. I still don't believe that every child is given exactly the mother she needs, but I think any woman who is TRYING and has GOD'S HELP can be the mother her children need.
My favorite part was the chapter "Caring for Your Body, Mind, and Spirit." I don't know that she said anything that I haven't heard before, but she said things in a way that really reached me, that made me believe my earthly body is good enough, even though God wants me to nourish and strengthen it well. I also loved "Finding Your Tribe" and "But If Not..." Good stuff. Good enough for 4 stars.
My favorite part was the chapter "Caring for Your Body, Mind, and Spirit." I don't know that she said anything that I haven't heard before, but she said things in a way that really reached me, that made me believe my earthly body is good enough, even though God wants me to nourish and strengthen it well. I also loved "Finding Your Tribe" and "But If Not..." Good stuff. Good enough for 4 stars.
March 21, 2018
This book was such a phenomenal little treasure to read during my first few weeks of motherhood. It was like sinking into a warm bath every time I picked it up (usually after an exhausting mothering day). It helped me recognize my define worth, appreciate the good, the bad and the ugly about being a woman and motherhood. I would highly recommend.
May 13, 2021
Great reminders! ���
July 21, 2018
47
I put away more than childish things, I put away parts of my essential self. Gone was my involvement in theater, singing etc. Why on earth did I stop.doing the things I loved, and how could I have called it God's will? ...Is it really our belief that His will is to have half of His carefully crafted human beings neglect the talents, abilities, minds, and ambitions He gave us?
57
Numerous times I have filled my life with something wonderful but have had to take it off of my plate again in tha name of balance.
...never is it necessary to give up completely on your gifts, talents, and abilities.
We [can] inspire our children to dare to have dreams for their own lives.
59
Church officials have said the average woman should simplify and out things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest...and riding herself if less rewarding activities. Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. Mothers who know do less.
from talks, A women's reach, good better best, mothers who know.
I love PTA and what it does but it was not my gift so I felt resentful of the time I spent there...then guilt over the resentment...when we step aside from things we are not passionate about we make room for those who are to fulfill it.
66
Have you ever felt as if life Is just happening to you? What if instead of your life happening to you, you happen to your life?
86
“When our children are grown and gone, leaving us with empty rooms and the reprieve from laundry we crave, we will be left with only the memories we have so purposefully created in our mothering lives. Left alone, we will retrieve those memories from our hearts as if from a treasure chest. One by one, we’ll examine and relive them, full of awe and gratitude at a life well-lived, before softly replace them in our heart-box to be enjoyed another day.”
90
sacrifice is an essential eternal principle. It is beautiful! But just as we should embrace in a corporate are heaven sent gifts, talents, and abilities, we should likewise embrace the minds, bodies, and spirits he has provided by caring for them.
Can we truly sacrifice in a state of emptiness? Satan twists our righteous desires to sacrifice for our families. The adversary enjoys sending the false message that sacrificing means we should neglect ourselves and that any sort of self care is vain and selfish, leaving us deflated and full of guilt when we do take time for ourselves. If we are empty, Satan can find room for worldly outside sources to fill us.
98
in addition to body gratitude journaling [it takes 30 days to change our initial thinking/to reprogram our brains] I also love a friend's idea to practice turning around my thoughts. Here's how: When a negative thought comes to your mind, stop and turn it around! "I look so fat" becomes "I just love how I look in these jeans." even if you personally don't find it to be true (let's face it you aren't a good judge of truth in these situations), just say the opposite thing. Your brains neural pathways have been taught to feed you negative thoughts and must be rewired to instinctively go to positive thoughts. this process of neural rewiring takes about 30 days. Soon you will notice positive thoughts coming to mind as easily as your negative thoughts came in the past.
135
We have to learn to say goodbye to what we thought motherhood was so we can love what motherhood is.
We spent our entire lives pre motherhood subconscious is scripting for ourselves what motherhood was supposed to be.
Let's be clear about something right here, right now colon shame is not of God. Shame is dark and ugly. Shame is a tool of Satan introduced to humankind in the Garden of Eden by a jealous and cunning adversary.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is from our Father in heaven and is given to us in love. Godly sorrow inspires us to change. It encourages us to bring our feelings into the light, where we can learn from them semicolon wear, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can repent of them semicolon and where we can ultimately heal from them. Making mistakes that causes Godly sorrow, which then inspires us to use the atonement, are Priceless experiences.
What would it be like if we allow our children to watch us in, feel Godly sorrow, and use the atonement to repent and heal? Allowing your children to see us when we make a mistake humanizes us. Instead of a photo, we come to our children a mother who is safe haven when they have themselves gone wrong.
154
If you are brave and admit you need help, you give her permission to need you to. Don't take your child to the dentist and let them sit on your lap while you get a filling, instead call someone in the tribe.
158 On being kind to others even if they differ from us.
"When I don't see eye to eye with another mom, I try to ask her something about her life, then I listen. Hearing another's story rarely leaves me without some kind of understanding. I may not agree with her and I may not put her too close to my heart, but I will love her and work to understand her."
We should love each other, not because it is one more step to climb on our proverbial stairway to heaven but because we are disciples of Jesus Christ and we love as He loves. He did not set out to fix people. He set out to love the so purely that the would fix themselves.
200
Being a mother isn't just something I do. It is in everything I do. Being a mother is on the sage with me when I act, at the pulpit when I speak, on the computer screen when I write and in the classes I teach. Being a mother influences my political ideal, my civic participation, and my life's work It is who I am.
I put away more than childish things, I put away parts of my essential self. Gone was my involvement in theater, singing etc. Why on earth did I stop.doing the things I loved, and how could I have called it God's will? ...Is it really our belief that His will is to have half of His carefully crafted human beings neglect the talents, abilities, minds, and ambitions He gave us?
57
Numerous times I have filled my life with something wonderful but have had to take it off of my plate again in tha name of balance.
...never is it necessary to give up completely on your gifts, talents, and abilities.
We [can] inspire our children to dare to have dreams for their own lives.
59
Church officials have said the average woman should simplify and out things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest...and riding herself if less rewarding activities. Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. Mothers who know do less.
from talks, A women's reach, good better best, mothers who know.
I love PTA and what it does but it was not my gift so I felt resentful of the time I spent there...then guilt over the resentment...when we step aside from things we are not passionate about we make room for those who are to fulfill it.
66
Have you ever felt as if life Is just happening to you? What if instead of your life happening to you, you happen to your life?
86
“When our children are grown and gone, leaving us with empty rooms and the reprieve from laundry we crave, we will be left with only the memories we have so purposefully created in our mothering lives. Left alone, we will retrieve those memories from our hearts as if from a treasure chest. One by one, we’ll examine and relive them, full of awe and gratitude at a life well-lived, before softly replace them in our heart-box to be enjoyed another day.”
90
sacrifice is an essential eternal principle. It is beautiful! But just as we should embrace in a corporate are heaven sent gifts, talents, and abilities, we should likewise embrace the minds, bodies, and spirits he has provided by caring for them.
Can we truly sacrifice in a state of emptiness? Satan twists our righteous desires to sacrifice for our families. The adversary enjoys sending the false message that sacrificing means we should neglect ourselves and that any sort of self care is vain and selfish, leaving us deflated and full of guilt when we do take time for ourselves. If we are empty, Satan can find room for worldly outside sources to fill us.
98
in addition to body gratitude journaling [it takes 30 days to change our initial thinking/to reprogram our brains] I also love a friend's idea to practice turning around my thoughts. Here's how: When a negative thought comes to your mind, stop and turn it around! "I look so fat" becomes "I just love how I look in these jeans." even if you personally don't find it to be true (let's face it you aren't a good judge of truth in these situations), just say the opposite thing. Your brains neural pathways have been taught to feed you negative thoughts and must be rewired to instinctively go to positive thoughts. this process of neural rewiring takes about 30 days. Soon you will notice positive thoughts coming to mind as easily as your negative thoughts came in the past.
135
We have to learn to say goodbye to what we thought motherhood was so we can love what motherhood is.
We spent our entire lives pre motherhood subconscious is scripting for ourselves what motherhood was supposed to be.
Let's be clear about something right here, right now colon shame is not of God. Shame is dark and ugly. Shame is a tool of Satan introduced to humankind in the Garden of Eden by a jealous and cunning adversary.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is from our Father in heaven and is given to us in love. Godly sorrow inspires us to change. It encourages us to bring our feelings into the light, where we can learn from them semicolon wear, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can repent of them semicolon and where we can ultimately heal from them. Making mistakes that causes Godly sorrow, which then inspires us to use the atonement, are Priceless experiences.
What would it be like if we allow our children to watch us in, feel Godly sorrow, and use the atonement to repent and heal? Allowing your children to see us when we make a mistake humanizes us. Instead of a photo, we come to our children a mother who is safe haven when they have themselves gone wrong.
154
If you are brave and admit you need help, you give her permission to need you to. Don't take your child to the dentist and let them sit on your lap while you get a filling, instead call someone in the tribe.
158 On being kind to others even if they differ from us.
"When I don't see eye to eye with another mom, I try to ask her something about her life, then I listen. Hearing another's story rarely leaves me without some kind of understanding. I may not agree with her and I may not put her too close to my heart, but I will love her and work to understand her."
We should love each other, not because it is one more step to climb on our proverbial stairway to heaven but because we are disciples of Jesus Christ and we love as He loves. He did not set out to fix people. He set out to love the so purely that the would fix themselves.
200
Being a mother isn't just something I do. It is in everything I do. Being a mother is on the sage with me when I act, at the pulpit when I speak, on the computer screen when I write and in the classes I teach. Being a mother influences my political ideal, my civic participation, and my life's work It is who I am.
May 27, 2019
There are some books that you enjoy, but forget all about a year or so later and then there are books that change your life and perspective forever. This is definitely the latter for me.
I have been searching for years for a book about motherhood that encompasses everything I want and need to keep me going in this exhausting and exhilarating journey of motherhood. I have read a bunch and none of them came close to this one.
I think God put this in my path at this moment in time for a reason. There were so many parts in this book that Christie Gardiner would tell a story and I would say out loud “That is my exact experience!” even down to the one reference of the little-known kids show that my son LOVES—Super Why. I think Christie and I are destined to be friends. I hope I get to meet her someday.
This is definitely a book I will keep close to my heart for years to come and I will be going back and re-reading over and over again. Thank you, Christie! This was an answer to prayer!
I have been searching for years for a book about motherhood that encompasses everything I want and need to keep me going in this exhausting and exhilarating journey of motherhood. I have read a bunch and none of them came close to this one.
I think God put this in my path at this moment in time for a reason. There were so many parts in this book that Christie Gardiner would tell a story and I would say out loud “That is my exact experience!” even down to the one reference of the little-known kids show that my son LOVES—Super Why. I think Christie and I are destined to be friends. I hope I get to meet her someday.
This is definitely a book I will keep close to my heart for years to come and I will be going back and re-reading over and over again. Thank you, Christie! This was an answer to prayer!
August 23, 2017
Though I am not yet a mother, my sister insisted I read this book citing an 'intentional life' and 'self-love.' In the first few chapters alone I promised myself I'd buy the book and read it again and again to remind myself of the principles she mentions. This was a very quick read. And though there were moments when I felt the author relied too heavily on the idea that her personal challenges and feelings were universal, I found the majority of the principles she hit to be close to home, and great topics to ponder. This book inspired me to set at least three personal goals which my heart had been ignoring- so I'd definitely suggest it.
July 23, 2017
Great read. I have so many feelings of insufficiency when it comes to motherhood, but this book reminded me that my Heavenly Father sent my particular children to me because I am the mother they need. And that He can make up the difference where I lack.
The author also went into depth about developing my god-given talents as a way of blessing my family, which is definitely something I tend to put off thinking that I don't have time or that it is selfish of me to spend time doing things that are for myself. It is a book I could read and read again to remind me of my own importance and abilities.
The author also went into depth about developing my god-given talents as a way of blessing my family, which is definitely something I tend to put off thinking that I don't have time or that it is selfish of me to spend time doing things that are for myself. It is a book I could read and read again to remind me of my own importance and abilities.
June 18, 2018
Ok, I absolutely loved this book! I don't read a lot of self-help because I tend to get overwhelmed and feel like I'm doing everything wrong, but this one is different; its about just being yourself and trusting our Heavenly Father. This book is relatable, uplifting and very relevant for modern day women. I finished this book feeling so happy and positive with not only my life and family but also with myself! I highly recommend that all my mom friends read this!
July 29, 2018
I thought this book was very uplifting and I liked that the author shared some of her own personal experiences. She is quick to point out, though, that what works for one mother may not work for another. She reminds us not to judge each other because we never know what another mother's situation may be. Of course we have heard that a million times, but there is a reason we need constant reminding. She brought up a lot of good points that caused me to reflect a little more on motherhood and what a blessing it is.
December 31, 2017
Is it okay to say I didn't love this book? It assumes all moms are down in the dumps needing tons of encouragement. Maybe I'm not the intended audience right now, but I felt the chapters to be long and nothing new. I do like and believe the title, but I'm not sure I needed the whole book. Maybe I'll revisit it some day in audio form.
January 13, 2018
An uplifting book about motherhood. The author talks about how we each have talents, traits and unique experiences that are especially designed to help us mother the children given us. As I look around at all my mother friends and family I can see that they truly are the mother that their children need.
May 30, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. It took me a good year to read just because I like to take the contemplating non fiction books slower. I bought this one on a recommendation of a good friend, a little hesitantly because I didn’t want to read another book telling me all the things I should be doing as a mother and then walk away feeling discouraged. But this book was refreshingly different. The author does a fabulous job of inviting you to figure out how to become what Christ would have us be as mothers.... while at the same time reminding us that we aren’t perfect and that’s okay. She reminds us that we are the mothers we need to be for our children and that, that looks different for every family. We mother differently and it’s meant to be that way. I just enjoyed it.
August 11, 2022
Fun read with lots of emotional moments and things I needed to be reminded of in my life as mom.
October 14, 2018
About motherhood that addresses real world challenges and is encouraging to mothers of all ages in a positive way.
June 5, 2017
What a great book! I wish I would have had a book like this when my children were younger. So many great quotes and inspiration.
May 29, 2017
I absolutely loved it! I recommend it to everyone, not just women. It's so easy to relate to. I want to practice failing, continue to find my tribe, and be in harmony with my whole self. I am the mother my children need! Thank you!
May 22, 2017
An uplifting reminder....
June 19, 2017
I always give 5 stars to books that change my life for the better. This book was full of encouragement and positive perspectives on motherhood. It was written by an LDS woman that also brought a lot of Christianity into the book. I recommend it to any woman (not even mother) who struggles with feelings of inadequacy, struggling with perfectionism, or anyone who is just looking for an uplifting book about motherhood. You will be uplifted.
March 23, 2017
Motherhood is both the most glorious job available to women and the most devastatingly hard. While I am not a mother myself, I avail myself of the opportunity to watch mothers so that I have an idea of what kind of mother I would like to be should the opportunity ever come. There are days when I long to be a mother, and other days when I am sincerely grateful not to be one. But I know myself well enough to suspect that I would be one of those mothers who never thinks her efforts are good enough. Feelings of failure seem to be very common among the mothers that I know. Which I suppose is why the first chapter in this book made me teary-eyed. Frankly, I love the idea that Christie Gardiner presents in this book, the idea that yes, "you are the mother your children need". I loved the fact that she shares her own stories of both success and failure. Stories of her own struggles to feel like she's good enough. The chapter on divine worth is one I believe that all women need to read, not just mothers. The book is full of tips about motherhood and changing our beliefs about what motherhood is and how own perfectionist beliefs that tend more than anything to make us miserable. I appreciated the chapters on taking care of yourself so that you can better care for your children and not comparing your way of mothering to someone else's way, someone else who has different gifts, abilities, and talents. This is a fabulous book and I plan on passing it on to a mother I know who needs a boost, who needs to know there's hope. Highly, highly recommended.
June 15, 2017
Almost every page had an amazing quote that could be framed! It really spoke to my soul! It's the kind of book that makes you want to be a better mom and inspires you to do so, but also makes you feel like you are already great :) Thanks Christie!
April 28, 2017
A friend gave me this book for my birthday and I really enjoyed reading it and felt like it was a nice boost to all mothers out there trying to do their best. Motherhood is the hardest job yet most rewarding endeavor we can undertake. I'm thankful my friend gave me this book and i will try to reread when i need a boost!!! :)
April 29, 2017
Love, love, love this book!!! 💛✨🌟💫
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