Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom

by Tricia Goyer

How can a work-at-home mom raise kids, juggle a career and take care of family responsibilities with only 24-hour days? Working at home while raising kids and juggling a career and family responsibilities is no easy feat. Author and homeschooling mom Tricia Goyer shares her tips for finding balance among all your many hats as a mom. Balancing is a process and a journey, one that Tricia herself has yet to perfect. But between writing more than forty books, raising and homeschooling six kids, being a wife, and being active in her community, she has amassed valuable tips she shares in "Balanced." The book includes tips —how to create focus themes for your family —how to prioritize your schedule —how to utilize your job so it also benefits your kids —how to keep yourself out of the comparison game —how to make working at home work for you —and much more!

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Business, Faith, Christian, Personal Growth, Marriage

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2013

About the author

Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of ten, grandmother of two, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

Reviews

[MacKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and God-filled

I have lived Tricia's work for years but this may be my favorite book of hers so far. Intensely practical while also inspiring. Great quotes throughout and concise lists to help you figure this whole work-at-home-mom thing out. I appreciated that she didn't drag topics out- she got to the point because she gets that we don't have a ton of time. She was very real about what is reasonable for us to actually accomplish but also encourages moms to listen to the whispers of God about their calling. I loved that she brought everything back to Jesus- that it all begins and ends with Him and without Him it's all for not. I highly recommend this book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard much of this from another lady, but it's good reminders and I am able to have it in one place with underlines. A good resource for women who want to be stay-at-home and work-at-home mothers at the same time but aren't quite sure how to make it work. This will help you see that it IS possible!!!

Goyer makes sure to refocus our eyes on Christ, the most important aspect of it all.

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a useful tool for people who want to learn how to have work-family balance. These tips that Tricia gives the reader are geared to mom's who raise children and work from home, however, these tips can be used by anyone, male or female. These are just guidelines you can try, to see what works and what doesn't work for you. Your days will not always go as smoothly as planned, and some of the tips shared in this book help you to manage through those times with more ease.
Having faith in God, yourself and your loved ones helps, as long as you believe it does. This book helped me to realize that not every day will go right or even meet the expectations you may have, but with faith, patience and love, you can get through anything.
I definitely think this book is beneficial to anyone who is need of balance and works from home. The book has great tips and resources to figure out what your balance is and how to implement it.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balanced is an excellent guide to working from home while still balancing the demands of family. There is a Christian perspective woven throughout the book, and I appreciated the emphasis on using the skills and desires God has given you as you do the work he has called and equipped you to do.

Her tone throughout the work is encouraging, inspiring, and extremely motivating. Recommended for all work-from-home moms, and highly recommended if your specific work-from-home career is as a writer.

Full review available here. Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

[Laura A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hoped this book would be good for me, starting an online business with a young family, but I was disappointed. This book is pretty much all about writing and how to fit in time as an author! No description mentioned this, not even the blurb on the back. I know I can make some of the points relevant for me, but some just cannot be! I thought the last points were good (but even one of those were only for writers!). This book would be brilliant for authors, bloggers etc, but on the whole I did not get much from this unfortunately. I really enjoy hearing Tricia on podcasts etc and it would not put me off reading other books of Mrs Goyer’s - just wish the description was clearer!

[Carrie Daws · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like I just had coffee with a concerned sister. Tricia Goyer does an excellent job of pulling away the perfectionistic, rose-colored glasses and encouraging grace -- for ourselves and for each other. She includes appropriate Scripture and lots of hands-on, practical tips to remove guilt and make the most of both the work and family moments we have.

[Kasey Giard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, godly wisdom

This is a great quick read with a lot of practical wisdom that's obviously hard-earned. I live how warm and encouraging the author is and how she shares her learning process. This book made me feel encouraged and gives me a lot of ideas and hope for my own work-at-home-plus-parenting situation. I definitely recommend it!

[Emily Grabatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book and Tricia's story when I came across this book. It's full of real, raw stories, down-to-earth helpful tips for managing your family, your dream and your calling. I was only starting my family when I first read it, but it gave me hope and a vision for my future.

[Darcy Schock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great mix of both practical advice and (even more important)—soul advice. Would highly recommend. Especially if you are a writer.

[J.C. Morrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow Tricia Goyer on Facebook and twitter and her blog and I LOVE her books! And I must admit that I too wonder how she does all that she does – or I did, until I read this book.

“Balanced” is a wonderful way of finding out the answer to all those questions. Tricia shares with other work-at-home moms how she handles all the hats she has to wear.

I’m not going to spoil it for you but I will say this - At one point in the book, Tricia makes a point of saying:

“Disclaimer. This book may not be for you if: You are looking for a simple how-to manual with only schedules, outlines, and agendas. You don’t think your spiritual life impacts your work and home life. You think the whole balance issue depends on you and not on your dependence on God.

In this book, there is as much inner work I’m going to talk about as there are ideas, helps, and tips for balancing. Because as someone who’s been working at home nearly all of my twenty-four years as a parent, I’ve discovered three main things:
1.What I do isn’t as important as who I am.
2.What God can do in my life and what He’s capable of doing can be two very different things—I don’t want to limit Him.
3.My outward goals are only reachable if I submit my inward soul to God.

If this sounds like a book you need, good. If not, I understand! We moms only have so much time. You need to spend your time, energy, and hard-earned money on a book that will meet your expectations.

Know that I’m praying God will speak to your heart through my story. I hope you’ll discover good advice to help you follow the dreams God has placed in your heart and be the wife and mom you’ve always wanted to be.” – Direct quote from Tricia Goyer (Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom)

I really respect her for that. It takes a lot of courage and faith to present women with a reason they should not buy your book – and then to tell them you’re OK with it. Ironically, that makes me want to buy the book even more!

Tricia and I have a lot of different ideas on how a person should carry out their faith but they stem from the same ideals. And each Christian really does need to understand that they have a very different journey. Your walk with God is a very personal thing and what God calls one to do – he may not call another to. The point is this – I can see Tricia’s faith in every word. She may go about her faith and her witness differently than me but she definitely puts it all out there for the world to see!

As a homeschooling mom, I am encouraged by Tricia’s story and it definitely tells me I am doing something RIGHT! As a single mom, I am excited to see that Tricia gives so much of her time to help out other mothers – single and married alike. As a struggling writer, I am inspired by Tricia’s journey through writing and publishing and there is a lot of information in this book that benefits me greatly. Tricia talks about homeschool, faith, writing, family life and social media - and how to weave each one into your life without de-railing everything else.

And through it all is woven – a tale of faith so heartwarming, it renews my love for God all over again!

I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who is a struggling writer, a work-at-home mom, a home-schooler, new to Christian faith, or someone who is just interested in Tricia Goyer’s life! It’s a great read – no matter your reasoning!

Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsey Silvestrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Tricia Goyer and I was thrilled to see that she had written Balanced for work at home moms. While blogging might not be considered by many to be “work,” it definitely consumes my time and is done on a computer so label it what you may but I was eager to read her secrets!

I actually felt a little guilty reading this book because it made me realize how many ways I was failing. The good news it also showed me how to better succeed. She had a lot of great tips and tools to utilize. Many of these were a great relief to me.

First of all, I loved how she created focus themes for her family. What are the main things you want to accomplish for your family? For her these priorities included things like homeschooling and being involved in their church. If any of her over abundance of activities didn’t help achieve these goals, they were cut out. I immediately wanted to put this into practice myself!

I could see there were some ways that I am succeeding but others that I’m failing. For example, I do only have my children in one extra activity outside of church and school at a time. Any more than that and I’m stressed and we’re all living in the car.

What I’m most guilty of is trying to be the perfect mom and do it all and beating myself up when I don’t. I was so relieved to hear her say it’s just not possible! It’s not possible to have all your laundry done, house cleaned, perfect balanced meals on the table every night, involvement in every local activity and quality time for yourself, your husband and each child. It’s just not feasible so usually, something has to give. I’ve started making myself on priority a day.

That doesn’t sound like much but with two active kids in school and a newborn baby, that’s what’s practical for me! I do have scheduled time to blog but aside from that, I can really only clean OR do the laundry in a day, not both. I can do my errands OR work on a project at home, not both.

It came as somewhat of a relief to me to hear her say this because to meet some moms, you’d think they really do it all. But everyone has their priorities and everyone has areas they fall short. What are your priorities? I think the thing I felt most guilty about was spending quality time with my kids. If one of my focus theme’s is to raise happy, healthy, well balanced children that I have a great relationship with, I have to invest in that NOW – not when I have time. By the time I have time in my day, my kids will be grown and it will be too late.

After reading Balanced, I’m really eager to re-prioritize my life and get it together. Things don’t always get done but finding the balance is what’s important.

[Barbara Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the invitation to read and review Balanced by Tricia Goyer arrived, I almost decided not to read it. After all, I’m 75 and a great-grandmother, my children have been raised and have grandchildren themselves. However, being acquainted with Ms. Goyer’s writings and the mutual fact that we both have adopted children……well…I thought I would give it a look over.

As we read on the book cover some of the tips included in the book, I knew it would be a worthwhile read. Finding balance in our lives attends many situations in today’s busy world. Tricia speaks to busy work at home moms who struggle with family schedules and duties; but she easily speaks to those having careers outside the home. I raised my children when women were taking additional roles at the same time, which was difficult. Coming to mind often is an old commercial where an elegantly coiffured woman in a sleek business suit is singing a song about how she does all these things as a liberated woman and “brings home the bacon” as well, while holding up a skillet. Ms. Goyer puts all that into proper perspective in this thoughtful conversation she shares. She is to be respected for finding the centering of what God has given her. She is a true Proverbs 31 woman, in that she cares for her family and her marriage through cherishing truths of tradition without denying any presumptuous concepts that she is doing it perfectly. One can’t do it all - all the time – without being overwhelmed. However Tricia Goyer admits that God is her guidance counselor. I like that about Ms. Goyer and what she reveals about herself within the unique wisdom she conveys about balancing the odds and evens of her life.

Balanced might not be a large novel in size, it doesn’t take long to read. Like that old adage of good things come in small packages, Ms. Goyer has certainly proven what a groovy gift she is to her family and her readers. She is a beautiful encourager, as it is written in the Bible – “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things.” (Rom 10:15) I’m glad now that I did not overlook this book – it could become a family heirloom to be handed down for generations. Hopefully my words will inspire you to read the good news Tricia Goyer shares.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

In accordance with the FTC, I was given a copy of Balanced by Tricia Goyer for review as part of her launch team. All opinions are mine and mine alone, no other compensation was received.

I am a stay at home mom. My days are spent homeschooling the girls, keeping up the house and wondering how in the world it is the end of the day already and it seems I have gotten nothing accomplished. I have dreams of several big projects that have been swimming in my head for several years now. This blog being one of them. Yet, it seems that when I sit and work on my dreams, the house falls apart, the girls need something right that minute, and the doubts come creeping in that maybe my dreams really don't matter. Then things seem to settle down in our lives (can we say the last year and a half has been super chaotic at times?) and I make plans to start working on my dreams and another surprise comes down the pike at full speed.

Tricia Goyer wrote Balanced to show that it is possible to live out the dreams that God has placed in your life while being a mom (and homeschooling), a wife, volunteer and living the life we are called to. She makes no bones about it being easy, but lays out the foundations for us women who work at home in any capacity to show us that with the proper attitude and priority we can get more done. This book is centered on faith and being grounded in God and how everything else stems from there.

Be encouraged, you can work from home successfully as a super busy wife and mother. It isn't some elusive dream that is unattainable until you finally drop your last child off at college. My girls are 7 and 6 now, they are in the super hands-on stage of homeschooling for me, I have a house to take care of, meals to cook, groceries to buy, and in October a new baby to add to the mix. I know the journey towards the fulfillment of the dreams God has given me will never be easy. It will always be easier to just put it off until later. But later never comes. Balanced has given me the hope that even though life keeps happening, there is still time for dreams I have in my heart.

Grab yourself a copy of this book if you are wondering how in the world you can get anything done with your life. You will be so glad you did. This book blessed me beyond words and it will do the same for you.

[Beauty in the Binding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many moms know the struggle of caring for a child while tending a home. For moms that choose or need to work from home, the endless to-do lists and responsibilities can be overwhelming. In Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom, Tricia Goyer relates her own experiences and explains how she cares for and homeschools her children while she pursues her career as an author.

Now, a confession: I'm a stay-at-home mom, not a work-at-home mom. Nevertheless, I struggle to balance my time between my child, house cleaning, errands, church activities, etc. I found that many principles in this book still applied to me: finding priorities, seeking God's wisdom, resisting certain societal pressures, being fully present in what I am doing at the moment, dependence of God, setting an example for my children, forming my schedule, not feeling guilty when I'm not supermom, inner freedom, and knowing God intimately.

In addition to the aforementioned principles, Goyer encourages mothers to follow their dreams while still emphasizing the importance of mothering children and realistically acknowledging that time isn't free. It may mean paying someone else to watch the children and relinquishing that time with them. But it can also instill dreams and aspirations as the children watch you pursue your God-given calling. Goyer's ultimate point in this book is the value of knowing God and doing His will.

This is a book I could see myself reading annually around New Year's to realign personal priorities and dreams. I highly recommend Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom by Tricia Goyer to any mom who struggles complete the daily to-do list, needs to streamline her day, or just needs some encouragement and direction about priorities.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia has a heart for encouragement, so she wrote the book Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom to help all of us who are moms and we work at home (in any capacity).


In eleven chapters, she discusses stories of her own unbalanced times, as well as her more balanced times. But she’s quick to remind us that we can never be completely balanced. Not even for one day. Something always needs to give.


“And even the hard stuff, especially the hard stuff, that we face today is preparing us to be the people He has designed us to be.” – p. 39

Tricia offers practical tips on how she’s done that within these chapters. Each chapter also includes a “tips from the trenches” section with quotes from other work-at-home moms. These moms are mainly writers and many of Tricia’s tips focus on writing, but she explains (and I agree) that these tips can be applied to most at-home jobs. Each chapter also includes “think on this” quotes from various books, related Scripture, and “pause and reflect” questions to help you put these ideas in practice. All these components combine to show that work-at-home moms (with the right focus) can benefit their families, their own creativity and growth, and their purpose in God.


Tricia offers a reoccurring theme throughout this book: finding balance is really about more than finding balance. It’s about finding center. For Tricia (and myself, and many of you reading), finding center means focusing on Christ. This book remains very faith-focused, which is a needed and continual reminder of the mindset and work purpose we all need.


“My work-at-home journey moved from me trying to prove myself to allowing God to prove what He could do through a weak vessel like me.” – p. 65

Tricia’s motto: “I want to live the type of life I can write about.”

Disclosure: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any other way.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a mother with still-at-home children to care for, if you are trying to work at home while caring for your children (this doesn’t mean that caring for your children is not work), if you are super-stressed with trying to do it all and maintain your sanity — this book is for you! Or if you know someone who falls into that category, perhaps even a work-at-home dad, this book should be in her/his hands.

Author Tricia Goyer is a prolific writer having many books to her credit. She doesn’t hide the fact that she lives by her faith in God, and that her writing talent is a gift from Him. If you are worried about “religious” content, don’t be. In a non-preachy way she shares about how to make change happen in your life to help you find balance as you try to handle both children and career.

The following is a list of the eleven chapters in which she shares practical and sound advice, ideas, and suggestions in a conversational, non-clinical manner.

My Story of Finding Balance {And Some Practical Starter Ideas}
How Your Work Benefits from You Being at Home
How My Kids Benefit from My Work-at-Home-Ness
What Does God Have In Mind When He Selects and Shapes a Person?
Working and Serving from Your Core
Becoming the Architect of Your Own Schedule
Successful {Not Stressful} Family Living
I Can’t Tell You How Many Times a Week I’m Asked, “How Do You Do It All?”
Being a Mom and Following Your God-Given Dreams … I Give You Permission
The Freedom of Knowing Yourself
Balance Isn’t the Ultimate Goal – Knowing God Is

From my personal position, I found this book is not only for work-at-home moms, but for anyone with legitimate demands on their time and attention as they try to ‘work at home.’ Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom is worth the short time required to read it, and may help you discover things you didn’t know about yourself.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. The closest I get is doing book reviews here on my blog. My dad always says that I'm a good writer, but I just never really enjoyed it enough to think about making any sort of career out of it.

That being said, I really do admire writers. I obviously love to read, and I also realize that writing novels is a difficult, all-consuming career that can be both rewarding and frustrating. So, I have always had great respect for authors.

Even though I am not an author, I am a stay-at-home mom who also does some work from home, so Tricia Goyer's book Balanced related to me in a way that no book ever has before - it spoke directly to a stay-at-home and work-at-home mom like me. She does relate most to writing, but it also speaks to other types of work-at-home jobs.

Throughout the book Tricia talks about balance (hence the name), but she also goes much deeper than that. The book talks not only of juggling every aspect of life but also of setting priorities and using those priorities and goals to evaluate how to and what to keep juggling in the future.

My husband and I have spent the last year seriously doing this with every opportunity that comes to us. We ask ourselves how it lines up with what God would have us do and according to our goals and priorities. It really has made our lives so much more stress-free and actually more wide-open for opportunities to serve those around us.

I think this was what I took away most from Tricia's new book - not only to have balance in your life but to have goals that focus first on Christ.

Balanced is a great book for work-at-home parents or anyone who needs a little bit of direction on setting goals that are realistic and God-honoring.

See my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balanced by Tricia Goyer
This is a great book, especially for the mom, (or the grandma, for that matter), on the go. Don’t we all feel like we NEVER, EVER have the time we need to do all the things we want or need to do? Well, if you find yourself in the same situation, this book is a MUST for you.
Tricia, who also shares a very busy lifestyle, shares her insights with all of us as to how to find balance in our lives. It is a good reminder that sometimes we will also have to choose between: GOOD, BETTER, or BEST. Sometimes when all our choices are good ones, we have to eventually draw some type of line, because we can’t do it all. None of us can.
The author draws from many of her own life experiences, both good and not so good, to help us through the things she has learned in trying to balance her own life. Through trial and error, she has explained the steps she has taken to get her through the busiest times. Times with deadlines, times with crisis and how to balance them all to our best end.
I feel each of us, no matter what stage of life we are in, can benefit from Tricia’s well thought out book. She also fills her book with some very thought-provoking quotes and sayings. Some I would love to memorize for those days in life that are not going the way I want them to, so that I can have that little mental boost to get through it all.
I highly recommend this book to you. It will help you put your priorities in good order and to help you sort out the best. It will also help you balance your life, spiritually, emotionally and physically. And we can always use all the help we can get. I give this a 5 star rating.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I've asked Ms. Goyer multiple times (when I had only three children) "How do you do it all?" I never got an answer. I finally figured that she hired a maid, a tutor, and whatever else and decided I was on my own. So with a lot of prayer and time with God, He and I finally came up with a workable plan for this family. Now, many years later, Ms. Goyer finally writes the book and answers the question "How do you do it all?" Short answer? She doesn't. (She's just great at appearing like she does.) Medium answer? She does hire a maid (but not full time), she "shares" homeschooling duties, and she hires a babysitter (sometimes). None of those things are things I'm in a position to do.

The really long answer? She does almost exactly what God and I worked out for my family (of seven). One extracurricular program per child per year. Eliminate anything that is not necessary--don't be guilted into it. God and family come first. Schedule (but leave room for life.) And more.

If you want to know for sure. read BALANCED - which is friendly and personable. Discussion questions are included, along with advice from the trenches. This is a book for any busy mom who wonders how those of us who seemingly do it all, do it.

Highly recommended and I'm glad Ms. Goyer found the time to write it.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about finding balance as a work at home mother. It's geared toward Christian mothers, especially those that write. Religion and faith are a big part of Tricia's message. The book could be summed up by three main points:

1) Put God first, before anything else
2) Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize
3) Remove everything that takes up time that isn't necessary

I really liked her advice on finding ways to wear the many hats that moms do. While I was surprised at the strong religious focus, I appreciated the author's encouragement and suggestions in that area. The only thing I didn't like about the book is the way several ideas are repeated. But that happens in almost every self-help type book I've read.

At just over 100 pages, it's a quick read. It has a wonderful message of faith and hope, which is something that every mother needs! This is a great book most Christian moms that work from home will find useful.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom by Tricia Goyer is a valuable non-fiction/Motherhood/Parenting book. Any Mom rather working or not, should really pick up their copy of this title. If you are a Work-at-Home Mom, you really need to read this title. Ms. Goyer has written a much needed resource for work-at-home Moms. From chaos to practical advice, pick up Ms. Goyer’s latest title, Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-At-Home Mom, you will be blessed and so glad you did. A must read for not just Work-at-home Moms but for any Mom, whether, at home, on the job, or struggling with school, sports, activities for you child or struggling with balancing your life. You will not regret your choice. Filled with advice, resources, and so much more! I highly recommend this title! Well done!! Received for an honest review from the author and/or publisher.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: NONE

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Ruth Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first non-fiction book I have read by Tricia Goyer, and it was exactly what I needed to read.  I was not aware of much of Tricia's story, and I found myself completely immersed in every aspect of this short but profound book.  At times, I found myself crying tears of joy and saying within my spirit that God had given me exactly what I needed to read.  I was encouraged as I read that this award-winning author has struggles, and she is not the perfect mom and wife 24/7.  

 

I could say much about this book, but the main thing I can say is that this is real.  Every woman can benefit from this.  I am a single mother, a part-time substitute teacher, a part-time blogger, and a daughter helping out my parents.  I wear a variety of hats, and Tricia gave real life examples and help for all women.

 

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

 

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books that are resources that you need to have on hand for guidance and encouragement in life. This is one of those books. Upfront I will say that I am a fan of Tricia Goyer. I like her writing, her focus on her family and her unashamed relationship with God. I can relate to the fact that she writes in different genres and to different audiences because she writes how God leads. The amount of things that she does in the midst of keeping God and her family at the forefront, make her someone that I want to listen to about balance.

In her book, Tricia relates her story, imperfections and all. Then she goes on to offer encouragement for others to find balance in their lives. She gives practical advice and ideas. She advises that a person find what God wants them to focus on and then to let go of the guilt from not doing everything else. I found her advice to make a list of priorities very helpful. She even includes tips from other writers.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a mum, but I managed to learn some tricks from Tricia Goyer’s Balanced. It’s one thing when it comes to struggling in the freelance industry; it’s another when you have a kid and you’re required to earn money and put food on the table.

Reading Balanced made me realised that it’s hard being a mum. It’s a full-time job and while it counts as a blessing, you gotta admit that it gets really overwhelming at certain times.

The freelance business can get pretty lonely at certain times; it’s a huge relief to read about this self-help book as I know that I’m not alone. Whether you’re looking for tips or reassurance, give Tricia Goyer’s Balance a go. Every work-at-home mum should have this book on her shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of Balanced in exchange of my honest review.

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever

--felt out of balance,
--wondered how to get things done and how to determine what to do,
--worked at home (whether for pay or not—and I think homeschooling is work, too!), or
--wanted to write,

you’ll want to get a copy of Tricia Goyer’s Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom.

Why? Because Tricia addresses all these issues at their foundation, by pointing you to God.

...

In Balanced Tricia has given me a lot to think about as well as some practical tools to seek balance in a particularly busy season of my life. She has reminded me of my focus and priorities and of God’s goodness and providence, and I am grateful for all of that.

- Read my complete review at: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co...

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In her helpful book Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom, author and homeschool mom Tricia Goyer offers encouraging and practical tips for creating a life that leaves space for all of your callings.

Goyer is a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction, a homeschooler, and mother to six children, so you can probably imagine that her insights carry weight! While the book is practical, you won’t find a bunch of schedules and rules. Rather, Goyer’s tips focus on how to figure out what God has for you to do, how to tie your life’s themes to goals for your family and work, and how to keep first things first and avoid busyness even while living a full and productive life.

{Read my full review here}

[Stacie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. I wanted to review the book because I am a work at home mom. I am a blogger, author, and grad student. I also have two SPED boys. As much as I try to stay organized, I still feel disorganized and forgetful at times. I also like how the book is Christian-based.

Throughout the book, Goyer offers chances to pause and reflect on topics.

Goyer discusses scheduling and prioritizing, but most importantly she discussed submitting to God's will for your life. In the midst of screaming kids, we still have to find time to serve and praise God.

[Ginger Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Goyer has definitely given me something to think about. My schedule is out of balance, and not in a good way. This is one book that I'll be reading over and over as a reminder that my husband and my children are far more important than clean windows or a little dust. God and I have a lot to discuss. *smile*

I highly recommend this book if you are a mom/dad and work from your house (or attempt to). While Ms. Goyer applies her theories to being a writer, the basic premise works for anyone.

***I received this book from the author/publisher for purposes of review. The above is my honest opinion.***

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I really needed to read! I've been feeling frustrated that even though I work at home, I never seem to be able to stay on top of things. I participated in the eleven-day Balanced Challenge the author led on her blog, and it helped me implement the advice I read in her book (instead of just reading it and thinking, "hey, that's a good idea," but then forgetting to actually try it out). The perspective, advice, and spiritual guidance she shares is invaluable, and can apply to women and mothers working in most any industry from their homes that find themselves in need of becoming a little (or a lot) more balanced.

(ARC provided via Litfuse Publicity for unbiased review)

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this reviewed in a couple of places and it was inexpensive on Kindle, so I decided to give it a try. It was helpful and worth my time. I don't work at home, but instead work outside the home, part-time. It reinforced many things that I'd read before that I needed to hear again, and it gave some good practical advice about how to make a workable plan that is tailored specifically to my calling, passions, and values. She did a good job encouraging readers to always keep God and His plans first. I've never read anything else by Tricia Goyer, but this made me want to pick up something else she's written.