I practically dropped to the ground along with the heavy Costco bag I was carrying, filled to the brim with paper towels, Clorox wipes, and school supplies, as my son’s teacher introduced herself. She recognized me right away.
I tried to catch my breath and wipe the sweat from my forehead while maintaining eye-contact, but I couldn’t help but notice the increased swelling of my 4-year-old’s fat lip and the melting ziplock icepack that was spilling water on the school carpet.
My mind was already scattered, wondering how I was going to make it to 3 back-to-school presentations for 3 separate children, all held at the same time. And to top it off, I was late because my youngest got hurt right before we left.
“You were my son’s first-grade teacher, Mrs. Murray, right?”
Thankfully, I remembered her son’s name. He was a kind, straight A, well-behaved, perfectly mannered child.
I wasn’t surprised to hear he was now a 4.0 GPA college student.
As I was trying to talk with composure, my youngest was pulling my shirt down, hanging on my arm, demanding a cookie.
The other two were running around the classroom.
I wondered what my son’s teacher thought of me now?
I managed a classroom full of students well. I taught preschool for 7 years and then first grade for 4. I thought being a parent would be so easy.
But frankly, I was in survival mode. With 4 kids ages 12, 8, 6 and 4 I felt like I was constantly frazzled, overwhelmed and exhausted.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by motherhood? Share on X
I want to share with you a wonderful book called Why Just Survive When You Can Thrive, by my friend Keri Snyder at Living In This Season.
We all have days when we will struggle, but we don’t have to live in a constant state of just trying to get by.
Keri is a mom of 3 and writes with such understanding and compassion. She’s been in survival mode and discovered the tools to help her thrive as a mom.
The book has 8 chapters titled:
1. The Practice of Self-Care
2. Letting Go of Perfection
3. Freedom From Comparison
4. Confidence as a Mom
5. Embrace Your Season
6. You Are Not Alone
7. Letting Go of Anger
8. Choosing Joy
There are two sections at the end of each chapter. Your Challenge helps you reflect on what you’ve read and Going Deeper asks questions with scripture references to look up.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter about finding confidence as a mom. She encourages moms to embrace their own gifts in parenting.
She says,
“There was a period of time where I thought that in order to be a good mom, I needed to attend all the play dates, keep everything educational, and provide heathy, organic meals at all times. I was trying to be supermom, and I felt like I was failing miserably. Instead of enjoying my children, I was unbelievably stressed out. I was trying to force myself into a mold that I was never created to fit.”
Keri encourages moms to embrace their own uniqueness and parent in ways that bring them joy.
“We are all going to thrive in different rhythms and routines. The point is that we figure out what works for us and then do it.”
I also loved the chapter about letting go of anger.
She says,
“We all know that feeling. The feeling when you are teetering on the edge of staying calm to going into complete crazy mom mode.”
Keri gives excellent tips to help you discover your triggers and calm yourself down.
I think this is an excellent resource for moms who want to learn how to embrace the season they’re in.
You can purchase the book HERE for only $4.99!
Scripture Cards- If you buy the PDF or Printed you will get the link to print the scripture cards. These go along with the book (they are the verses from the end of each chapter.) There are 8 total. If you order the printed, you just need to email Keri at (kerisnyder@gmail.com) with your order number and she’ll email you the link.
Visit Keri’s blog at https://www.kerilynnsnyder.com
*This post contains an affiliate link
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
I can so relate with the overwhelm, having to juggle 4 kids. But, what really helped was taking off the perfection facade. Coming to terms with the fact that I could not be a perfect mom was a liberating moment for me. That has helped me over the years. I think Keri’s book is awesome.
Wonderful review! Looks like a great book and resource for moms.
Hi Valerie! Thank you for linking up with me today! I really enjoyed reading your post. As a mom of three teenaged boys, your words rang true for me. Thanks for the encouragement!!
Thank you for stopping by Susan! I’m so glad you related to my post! Three teenage boys, wow! Hats off to you mama!
Looks like a great book. All of us Mommas are in this crazy life together! Keep up the good work!
Isn’t it nice to know that we are all in this together. It’s so great to have the support and encouragement of other moms along the way!
Us mamas are so hard on ourselves, aren’t we? The image I used from my post today was of a t-shirt I saw at my son’s basketball tournament … Mommin’ ain’t easy! It was a perfectly timed little vision that made me giggle! It truly is, though, so tough and keeping it all together is just not easy! We do our best and God fills the gaps. But it is difficult to embrace that and let guilt fade away. This book looks like a definitely winner! Thank you for the wonderful review and thank you so much for sharing it with us at Moments of Hope. I’m so blessed to have you there alongside me!
Hugs,
Lori
Yes, Lori! Why are we always so hard on ourselves. Sometimes we just need someone else to tell us that. Like you said, “Mommin’ ain’t easy! Thank you for your sweet comment!
Valerie- I think we as mothers can all remember times like you described! Ugggghhhh I know I can…and I only have TWO! Lol…not sure how I would cope with 4! You are wonder woman in my eyes! And Keri’s book— it looks so good!!!
It’s always nice to know when other moms remember being in situations where they felt the same! Thank you for your kind comment!
what a great book. Thanks for the review. Sounds like a book that many of us can use. The world can be very challenging and this book sounds as if it can help us through the mess of it all
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Thank you for visiting Angie! I really enjoyed the book! Sometimes being a mom is overwhelming and we need to remember to take a deep breathe and enjoy our kids.
Thanks for sharing a review! I love your story at the beginning!
It’s such a blessing to share your book Keri! I love it!
Hey Valerie,
This looks like a great new book for moms!
I’m going to have to check it out.
Thanks for sharing the review!
Hope you have a wonderful Monday~
Blessings,
Melanie
It’s a great book just like yours Melanie!
Thanks for sharing your review of what sounds like a great book with us, Valerie. I’m in the empty-nest years, so mothering for me is in the rear-view mirror, but it sounds like I would have loved to have this for a source of encouragement and advice. Thanks so much!
I appreciate your visit here, Beth!
Oh, Valerie, I remember that feeling so well. I managed a classroom for students and my own good erase any tiny bit of confidence in a heartbeat. I could have used this book. What a blessing to have the encouragement of other moms to live the adventure with us!
Hi Deb! It’ s always nice to know that other moms have had similar feelings! Thank you for sharing!