Torn. Isn't this how many moms feel? Torn between serving God and serving family. We love Jesus and our role as a wife and mom, but fulfilling our God-given dreams doesn't seem humanly possible. Amid the chaos of meal prep, diaper changes, and grocery runs, there isn't much time or energy to spare. But what if the limits on our lives are all in our heads? With humor, vulnerability, and stories of her own limited life as mom of five--two of whom struggle with severe autism--pastor and podcaster Jessica Hurlbut ignites hope in hearts of overwhelmed moms to see that forces outside you can't stop the God within you. Revealing 12 limits that hinder mothers--like exhaustion, distractions, and disillusionment--Jessica shows how to overcome them, empowering you to · respond in obedience rather than react in emotion to limitations · implement practical steps to move beyond your perceived limits · experience God using you even in the crazy season of motherhood If the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, nothing can stop you when you're fully surrendered to him.

"Lyrical and emotionally gutting." —O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE “Intellectually satisfying [and] artistically profound.” —KIRKUS REVIEWS (STARRED REVIEW) “Mesmeric.”—THE PARIS REVIEW “Vividly awesome and truly great." —EILEEN MYLES “Gorgeous, gutting, unforgettable." —LENI ZUMAS “Brilliant.” —MICHELLE TEA An arresting memoir equal parts refugee-coming-of-age story, feminist manifesto, and meditation on motherhood, displacement, gender politics, and art that follows award-winning writer Sophia Shalmiyev’s flight from the Soviet Union, where she was forced to abandon her estranged mother, and her subsequent quest to find her. Russian sentences begin backward, Sophia Shalmiyev tells us on the first page of her striking lyrical memoir. To understand the end of her story, we must go back to the beginning. Born to a Russian mother and an Azerbaijani father, Shalmiyev was raised in the stark oppressiveness of 1980s Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), where anti-Semitism and an imbalance of power were omnipresent in her home. At just eleven years old, Shalmiyev’s father stole her away to America, forever abandoning her estranged alcoholic mother, Elena. Motherless on a tumultuous voyage to the states, terrified in a strange new land, Shalmiyev depicts in urgent, poetic vignettes her emotional journeys through an uncharted world as an immigrant, artist, and, eventually, as a mother of two. As an adult, Shalmiyev voyages back to Russia to search endlessly for the mother she never knew—in her pursuit, we witness an arresting, impassioned meditation on art-making, gender politics, displacement, and most potently, motherhood.

A provocative and deeply important study of women’s lives, women’s choices—and an ‘unspoken taboo’—that questions the societal pressures forcing women into motherhood Women who opt not to be mothers are frequently warned that they will regret their decision later in life, yet we rarely talk about the possibility that the opposite might also be true—that women who have children might regret it. Drawing on years of research interviewing women from a variety of socioeconomic, educational, and professional backgrounds, sociologist Orna Donath treats regret as a feminist issue: as regret marks the road not taken, we need to consider whether alternative paths for women currently are blocked off. She asks that we pay attention to what is forbidden by rules governing motherhood, time, and emotion, including the cultural assumption that motherhood is a “natural” role for women—for the sake of all women, not just those who regret becoming mothers. If we are disturbed by the idea that a woman might regret becoming a mother, Donath says, our response should not be to silence and shame these women; rather, we need to ask honest and difficult questions about how society pushes women into motherhood and why those who reconsider it are still seen as a danger to the status quo. Groundbreaking, thoughtful, and provocative, this is an especially needed book in our current political climate, as women's reproductive rights continue to be at the forefront of national debates.

Being a mother is tough, and sometimes life can be hectic and disorganized. The truth is, moms don’t have to accept the chaos or resign themselves to the attitude of “this is just the way it is.” By God’s grace, every mother can purpose not to settle for anything less than His pattern for motherhood, and His pattern is victorious, triumphant, and glorious. Now, women who first met Leslie Ludy in When God Writes Your Love Story and Authentic Beauty can continue journeying with her through the realities of motherhood. Leslie will encourage, inspire, and equip moms to be successful in raising their kids, managing their homes, and keeping Christ at the center of their mothering. Written from the perspective of a mom who is currently “in the trenches” with several young children at home, Leslie will help guide readers to become mothers who are set apart for God’s purposes.

Are you an imperfect, trying-her-best mom? If you're over reading parenting advice, The Magic of Motherhood should be your next read. Motherhood can often feel overwhelming and isolating. Your feelings swing between joy and uncertainty, intense love and anxiety, laughter and tears. Ashlee Gadd and the writers behind the popular blog Coffee + Crumbs have written a beautiful reminder of your identity, both as a woman and a mother. The Magic of Motherhood is a curated collection of honest stories weaving together the love, joy, and magnificent heartache of motherhood. Instead of offering advice, the writers offer something even better: their hearts. You'll read essays about identity, adoption, body image, miscarriage, friendship, faith, and more. After reading, mothers will: Find joy in both beauty and mess Discover a renewed strength and sisterhood Be reassured that they are not alone Want to gift this book on Mother's Day, birthdays, baby showers, National Best Friend Day, and other holidays New and seasoned moms will enjoy The Magic of Motherhood. This book is a love letter to mothers everywhere. Essays from Ashlee Gadd of Coffee + Crumbs and its contributors will provide solidarity for all moms.

Motherhood is a freaking mess y'all. Actually, I'm a freaking mess, but aren't we all in one way or another?I wanted to write this book to share my disaster after recovering from all the wonders motherhood has to offer. In particular, my experience with "severe postpartum anxiety." Let's get real, though. You don't recover from postpartum anxiety. It is something you survive. It is one of the many battles I faced during early motherhood. Bringing a life into this world brings you to the brink of hell, but if you let it, it also brings you this particular kind of magic that you never imagined existed in your pre-baby world. Mama, it makes you a freaking SUPERHERO!-My name is Cassie Pigg. I am no one special. I'm not famous. Insta-what? I am ambitious. I cuss like a sailor. If you have issues with profanity, don't buy this book. I've always been a party girl. I love to laugh, and I love with my whole entire heart. I am a mother. And I have a tramp stamp. This is my story. -Disclaimer: This is absolutely not a "how-to" guide to motherhood or parenting. I'm not an expert. Hell, some days I question every "mom" move I make. I'm just a real mom to a beautiful baby girl, and I am surviving.-1 in 9 mothers in the US suffer from postpartum depression, and they need all the support available. I am sharing my story in an effort to help new mothers. Motherhood can be a difficult journey, and my goal is to make sure moms are equipped with the necessary resources for survival. Suicide is the 2nd highest cause of mortality postpartum, and this is unacceptable. The stigma surrounding perinatal mental health needs to end. Like, right now.