You always hear that there’s no manual for parenting. And it’s so true! Lisa Valentine Clark’s new book Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go is all about that!
Lisa Valentine Clark translates the humor, realities, rants, and ups and downs of motherhood in her book in a way that we can all relate. She takes stories and situations from her own life and openly shares them with her readers. I feel like I’ve really gotten to know her.
My favorite part of the book are her side rants that are in each chapter. Just to give you an idea, here was my favorite side rant:
“If it’s so horrible that our children are going to leave us one day to live lives of their own (which is wonderful, too), shouldn’t we console ourselves by focusing on the silver linings when possible? I WILL miss messy kisses and spontaneous, unsolicited, unrestrained hugs that knock you over, but I’m not going to miss stepping on Legos, wiping the refrigerator handles a million times a day, or finding candy wrappers all over my house. When my little ones leave me, can’t I find a little solace and comfort in not having to wipe a big mess off the toilet seat or change the fitted sheet on the top bunk? I have to miss those things, too?”
I feel the same way!
She talks about moms on Pinterest, playdates, getting your kids to pick up their stuff, cleaning, and being an average day to day mom. The world today doesn’t always appreciate moms. I love just this weekend during the General Women’s Broadcast when I believe it was Sister Oscarson who shared the story of the woman who presented at her child’s career day as a mother and homemaker. She also said, “Do we also teach our sons and daughters there is no greater honor, no more elevated titles and no more important roles in this life than that of mother and father?” Being a mother is the most important thing women can be, but it’s often overlooked.
Lisa Valentine Clark is great at sharing her observations, advice, and encouragement to just be you! And to share that all moms have hard times, come up short, wish we had nicer things, and that none of us really know what we’re doing. But that’s real life. And that’s ok! Somehow our kids will grow up normally and have good memories of their childhood. 🙂
If you want to read a lighthearted and uplifting book about being a mom, definitely check out Real Moms by Lisa Valentine Clark at Deseret Book.