Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy
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“Wit and wisdom for every mother, everywhere.”–ERIN LOECHNER, author of Chasing Slow
Becoming a better, happier mom starts with the stories you tell your kids
As a mom, you want to nurture a strong family, but fear steals your joy. Sometimes you wonder if you’re failing your children or whether you’re cut out for this.
Beloved writer and mom of seven Jennifer Pepito understands. She was intent on loving her children well, but fear and worry pushed her around. Ultimately, she found her joy in a most surprising place: the pages of classic literature she was reading aloud to her children every day. These stories helped her reclaim the wonder of childhood for herself and her children.
In Mothering by the Book, Jennifer takes you on a fascinating, whimsical journey that will bring freedom and fun to your parenting–one great book at a time.
From the Publisher
Publisher : Bethany House Publishers
Publication date : August 2, 2022
Language : English
Print length : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 0764239538
ISBN-13 : 978-0764239533
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #159,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #466 in Motherhood (Books) #555 in Christian Family & Relationships #1,233 in Christian Women’s Issues
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 218 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers say
Customers find this book incredibly encouraging, particularly for homeschooling mothers, and appreciate its beautiful writing style. They describe it as both challenging and manageable, with one customer noting the helpful practical steps in each chapter. The book’s pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its unpretentious nature.
6 reviews for Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy
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Original price was: $17.99.$10.29Current price is: $10.29.
Becca McCracken –
Part Story, Part Devotional, Part Mothering Self-Development: Amazing Book
I’m a few chapters in to this book and I love how Jennifer focuses each chapter on a book or literary character. She points out their strengths and challenges, adds personal stories, shares nuggets of wisdom , suggests Biblical references and closes with thought provoking questions. Jennifer’s life experiences are unique, engaging, often humorous, relatable and WELL WRITTEN. Jennifer clearly is well read, as her writing is what I would call “quality prose.” However, unlike some writers, Jennifer is human, unpretentious, and is not condescending or patronizing. You may learn a few new vocabulary words, but you won’t need to spend half of your quiet reading time asking Siri or Alexa to define words for you.The book will be most relatable to homeschooling Christian mothers, but the lessons the book contains, the mothering wisdom, and commentary on learning from great books can be enjoyed by any mom. Even Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist or moms that acknowledge a higher power can appreciate the way Jennifer weaves faith into her story.I personally homeschooled my daughter who now attends a private school, but this book still speaks to me SO VERY MUCH! People perceive me as strong leader, a go- getter, and a woman that can do anything. Inside though, like most mothers, I wrestle with fear. I think, “My daughter is acting THIS way… what am I doing wrong? Do I work too much? Am I letting her get too worldly? Should I allow this app on her device and if I do will it ruin her life? What if I take a hard stand on X…will she then do X in rebellion? Am I present enough? Do I give her enough independence…or too much? Who will I be once she graduates? What if I make the wrong decision and she hates me later?” The list goes on.Even the few chapters I’ve read so far have helped me identify and start to address the fears that have certainly prevented me from just being joyful in the situation I am in.I’m so excited to finish the book and highly recommend picking up a copy or giving one as a gift to a mom you know.
Once a bookworm – always a bookworm :) –
What a wonderful read!!!
“I recaptured the magic of motherhood by fighting fear with stories and letting the truth of Scripture hammer it home. Through this book, I want to help you recapture the magic of motherhood as well. Childhood is too precious to waste, and our children need us to be present so they can be empowered to kill their own giants. Fear keeps us in our heads, imagining the worst about ourselves and our circumstances, and fear is a slippery little demon that masquerades well.” – Jennifer Pepito Mothering by the BookALL. THE. STARS! This book is exactly what I needed right now. The Lord knew this is just what my mama heart needed! This is written from a Christian POV but I feel anyone can find encouragement, hope, and help from this book no matter your religious affiliations. She’s also a homeschooler but I feel it applies to all families regardless of your education style. It’s just all encompassing!I love how Jennifer labels each fear, gives us examples from her life in how it presented, then a book and scripture that helped her face that fear. It’s so well laid out! Each chapter covers one type of fear then ends with journaling questions, a scripture to memorize, read-a-loud options for your family, and books to help mom! I flew through this highlighting more than I wasn’t!! I can’t wait to go through again and work on the journaling questions!Reading this is like sitting down on your porch with lemonade chatting with Jennifer! She’s open and honest and encouraging! It’s like reading a conversation – so easy and flowing. Lol, but don’t think she won’t ask you hard questions that really make you look inside your heart to what you’re carrying inside. Truly a wonderful book to add to your library!
Kayla Scharsch –
If youâre considering this book you absolutely must get it!
This book. I literally just finished it and Iâm in tears! Tears because itâs so good and tears because Iâm sad itâs over! Iâve loved every moment, itâs truly been a balm to my weary fear-ridden heart. Jennifer has a beautiful testimony and I am so thankful she had the courage to share it with this book to help other mamas- especially homeschool mamas, like myself find our way out of fear and into Gods redemptive love. The books she references are books I have read to my own children but never would have considered how their stories could help me in my own journey! My eyes have been opened and now I will always search for answers among the stories I read aloud to my children! I also loved the book recommendations for kids and moms at the end of each chapter and ordered quite a few of them to add to our book arsenal.The study questions were helpful and revealing and the Bible verses were perfect additions to meditate on.Iâd like to also mention that as a busy homeschool mom to 4 I barely find the time to read, i usually start books but donât finish them. But this is the first book I read cover to cover within just a few weeks, in a very long time! I woke myself up early to get some time to myself to read it- Itâs that good 🙂 thank you Jennifer!! If youâre considering this book you absolutely must get it!
Teri Webber –
Journalled all the way through this book. This book had the power to transform your life.
GeraldineC –
Amazing book! I cannot recommend this book enough. It inspired me to let go of so many fears I have as a mom and enjoy every beautiful moment I have with my children. Very inspiring book. Its a MUST to read it.
Cassandra –
It was an easy and encouraging read but – if Iâm honest – every instance of âDaddyâ God made me want to vomit in my mouth a bit.Itâs not a HUGE flaw, but the addressing of our Heavenly Father as âDaddyâ is off putting and didnât flow well even in her writing style.Again, doesnât detract from the lessons, the encouragement, and the message of hope, itâs just a personal note.