Things kids need from Mom Review

Bestselling author and mother of four children Angela Thomas brings her trademark storytelling and biblical teaching to this book of encouragement for moms who, in the daily whir of busyness, long to connect with their kids in new ways.

With compassion and creativity, Angela presents 52 inspirations to help moms experience intentional mothering, intentional living, and intentional joy as they:

talk to their child as though he is fascinating

learn to play one video game
plan activities that set a child up for success
be the groovy mom once in a while
make memories and savor them

Moms at all phases of parenting can adopt one idea a week or try several at once. This is a fun, guilt-free resource to help every mom lead with God’s love and delight in the small moments that make up an abundant life.

My Review
First, I really enjoy Angela Thomas.  I heard her speak for the first time last year at a women's conference and I was really touched by her honesty, sincerety, and her love for God.  Then I read Do You Know Who I Am?: And Other Brave Questions Women Ask and I was hooked.  When I had the opportunity to review 52 Things Kids Need from a Mom: What Mothers Can Do to Make a Lifelong Difference I jumped at it, and I wasn't disappointed!

This book is written so that mom can read a chapter a week and then incorporate the theme into her daily life with the goal being that by the end of the year she is doing them all.  Some of the ideas seem pretty straight forward and I even caught myself thinking that I was already doing that consistently (such as let my yes mean yes and no mean no) only to discover that I wasn't doing as well as I thought when I started paying attention.  Others are a little more difficult such as teaching them not to be easily offended (okay, maybe that was difficult for me because I struggle with being easily offended). 

Angela approaches each topic with an open heart and life, admitting that she isn't the perfect mom, that she doesn't always do it right and that it is okay for us to mess up too.  She writes to encourage and to renew inspiration and to remind us that no matter what we do, the most important thing for us to do is to love our children "with all your heart, soul and might".  

I won't say this book will help you be a better mom, but it will show you how to show your love to your children in a different way, it will show you how to show them God's love in your life and actions as well as theirs.  What will help you to be a better mom is to first allow God to lead your life, then to seriously pray, and then to ACT on the concepts presented in this book.