And Then I Had Kids: Encouragement for Mothers of Young Children

by Susan Alexander Yates, Ingrid Trobisch (Foreword)

Susan Alexander Yates is an author who has truly "been there." When her twin daughters were born, they joined siblings ages two, four, and seven. Through the challenges of raising those five young children, Susan realized the need for an honest, practical book that helps parents through that time of life.
This new edition of the best-selling And Then I Had Kids contains guidance for dealing with common struggles such as discipline, priorities, and fatigue. Susan is honest about the frustrations of parenting, yet encourages parents through her own experiences. She offers a biblical perspective on family life, inspiring mothers (and fathers!) to create a loving atmosphere, find good role models, and shape a Christian home.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Christianity, Self Help

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1988

About the author

Susan Alexander Yates is a popular speaker and the author of several books, including And Then I Had Kids and And Then I Had Teenagers. A regular guest on FamilyLife Today and other national radio programs, she lives with her husband, John, in Falls Church, Virginia. Learn more at www.susanalexanderyates.com.

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biblically based book on the joys and challenges of motherhood. I enjoyed how she talked about the different priorities we have in different seasons. I would have liked it if she had gone a bit more in depth with some of her scenarios and illustrations.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read my mom's copy, which was such a sweet experience! She is a fantastic mother and it was cool to see what she had starred as she read this book while raising me and my siblings.
This book was so encouraging and offered perspective to the little years from someone that acknowledged both the difficulty and beauty of this season. She offered both practical advice and Biblical encouragement, and there are so many principles from this book that impacted the way my mom parented, and how I parent my kids.
In a season of struggling with one child in particular, I found this incredibly helpful:
"[God] has given us exactly the children we need to help us become the people He wants us to be. Our children are a gift from God. They are also His instruments in our lives to mold us, to shape us, and help us grow."

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid. practical. wise. a spiritually grounding book for this hard-on-herself mama.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraging read.

[Cole Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sound advice from a mom of 5 (including her own set of twins, which now always peaks my interest).

My favorite part of this book might have been the last chapter, which quickly covered what a JOY it can be to have a houseful of teenagers when the proper foundation for correct priorities and effective discipline were laid in the early years. There's a lot of gloom and doom surrounding the teenage years, so I found it extraordinarily relieving to hear that it does NOT have to be the case!

None of the material covered in the book was new to me - we've all heard it before, probably - but reading the same advice from a new perspective is always a good reminder. I especially liked the chapters on establishing priorities that work and creating a loving atmosphere in the home.

At times I was a little bored by the book and by the end I really just wanted it to end, but the message was clear, positive, and wise, so four stars it is.

[Amber Kuntz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, but kept stopping and then coming back to it later. I heard her speak at a Weekend to Remember event and I think that helped as I had heard some of the stories in her book from Susan herself. she is a great speaker and I highly recommend listening to her speak if you get the chance.

[Devyn Prado · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good advice, some of it dated just because of when it was written. I did not agree with everything (especially the chapter on why it's important to spank your children) but I was able to glean some good information from here.

[Abi Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I'm actually very surprised it's got such a low rating on goodreads. It is very solid, provided insights that were new to me, had practical solutions to daily issues and more. Would highly recommend!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found her encouragement to be very helpful. I was also surprised in that I appreciated her words from scripture. Usually when I read Christian books, all they do us harp decision theology and go on and on about everything YOU have to do for Christ. This author focused on what God does for us in Christ (forgiving, loving, etc) no matter how well we do as a parent.

I disliked her section on discipline because she is a big proponent of spanking and even suggests that any other method is insufficient. I believe it is very possible to parent with the same grace shown to your children as she expresses that God shows to us.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Kind of surprised it doesn't have a higher rating on GoodReads. The author offers practical and godly advice for moms of young children. I appreciate her honesty, humility and passion for the Lord. Parenting isn't easy and we will never be able to parent perfectly or have perfect kids, but God is faithful. There is a lot of joy to be found if our eyes focused on the Lord and our hearts are trusting in his promises. I highly recommend this book to all Moms. I definitely will refer back to this book in the future.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to any mother who has young children. It is full of encouragement. I picked this up at my church library, and from the first page, everything was just so true. It really offered a lot of encouragement to know that as a young mother there are so many others facing the same struggles. It is really geared toward stay at home moms, with a few little nuggets for working moms. But it's helpful and a good resource!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just picked up this book last night and so far have read 3 chapters and LOVE it. The author thoroughly describes the difficulties of raising small children from the perspective of a stay-at-home mom and the unique challenges it poses.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have read this book three or four times already and I still reading the author's insights. This one is really helpful and refreshing as well as inspiring for all the moms out there, especially those with young kids. I hihgly recommend this!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book for mothers and all parents of young children - wise words

I used this for a group of young mothers - we read together and discussed

I think all learned from this book and will use what they learned to their advantage

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!!

[Carol Nain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now going to re-read this one and then read the one and Then I had Teenagers. I need all the help I can get!

[Maryvimalaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of favorites. love it (and her) because she is real and talks openly about the ups and downs of being a mom. its been an encouragement to me on this journey of motherhood.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

It really was probably better than I'm rating it, but although I finished it, I never got into it, didn't get much out of it, it didn't make me think and it wasn't entertaining.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every mom should read this one.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I had a toddler then later when my children were 11 and 8. I could really relate with the author and loved the biblical references. This book is an encouragement to mothers.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very validating. You can skim over the parts with the religious undertone very easily. Everything she rights about is amazingly true, and it has a comical spin as well.

[Debbie Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great encouragement to me when I was a new young mom. Lots of humor!! Refreshing....

[Lobug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so recommend this for all mothers of young children. So very very good!

[Lexi Muhlenbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I'm liking this book. It's like my thoughts and feelings are right in the words the author writes!

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helps to realize other mothers are struggling with the same things.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only managed to read the first two chapters, because, well, I have kids. But, so far, so good.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure about this book at first but so glad I read it. Has practical examples of real life situations and how to deal with each situation through Christ Jesus/Christian home.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her first few chapters and final one I found to be most relevant and helpful to this particular stage of parenting twin two-year-olds and all the adjustments of becoming a mom.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny -- mostly because I've had the same experiences

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't finish, boring