You Bet Your Stretch Marks: Finding Beauty and Worth in the Ways Motherhood Marks Our Bodies and Souls

by Abbie Halberstadt

Bestselling author Abbie Halberstadt offers encouragement and insight for mamas struggling to remain engaged and hopeful amid the challenges of motherhood.

It’s easy to be grateful for motherhood when your child is writing “best mama ever” on your birthday card or giving you a great, big hug. But how about when you’re scrubbing crayon marks off the wall for the third time in a week or tussling with your teen about curfew . . . again?

The all-in enterprise called parenting will test your patience and stretch your capacity like nothing else, but mama-of-ten Abbie Halberstadt is here to remind you that having children is a calling you should never, ever regret or apologize to anyone for.

With her trademark candor, relatable humor, and biblically based insight, Abbie will help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you navigate the sometimes-murky waters of motherhood.

Even with an eyes-up approach, will you still struggle? Yep.

Will it be painful and hard at times? Without a doubt.

But will it be worth it? For you? For them? You bet your stretch marks!
 

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Self Help, Audiobook, Faith

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Abbie Halberstadt is a writer, fitness instructor, and homeschooling mother of ten children, including two sets of identical twins. Abbie lives by the motto that “hard is not the same thing as bad” and encourages women to dig deep to meet the challenges of everyday life through her blog and Instagram posts. She, her husband, Shaun, and their children live in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Reviews

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much wisdom packed into this book that it’s hard to fully capture it all in one review!

The best I could do was highlight, tab, and make tons of notes. I also have the accompanying guide to help me implement much of what I learned. Abbie reminds us that the scars and stretch marks motherhood leaves behind are marks worth wearing proudly and how the highs and lows of the journey shape us as believers. The book also explores the world’s view of motherhood and our value, and compares that with what God and the Bible say. I love that constant reminder to "stay the course" and follow his will, because, at times, we really need it. Abbie points out that our insecurities often come from measuring ourselves against worldly standards instead of God's truth, and that resonated deeply with me. This is a wonderful read for mothers, and it’s a personal call to bring back the joy of motherhood. It’s a reminder to show the world the true joy in it, especially for those who may be doubting whether it’s worth the sacrifice...because it truly, truly is!

I need to grab Abbie's other books now and read them!

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐅 Book Review 🐅

Title: You Bet Your Stretch Marks
Author: Abbie Halberstadt
Genre: Nonfiction/Motherhood

Review: This one is for all the mamas out there—no matter what season you’re in! Abbie’s books always come just when I need them. They’re filled with Scripture, practical tips, application questions, and stories that will encourage your heart. This one focuses on the question “Is motherhood worth it?” And the short answer is yes. If you need some hope in the hard days whether you’re going through them now or know they’ll be coming, this book is the perfect for you. I love how it feels like you’re sitting down with a mentor/friend and learning principles to apply to your own life. This book just oozes wisdom! I’d also recommend any of her books for a gift to the mamas in your life 🤍 Biblically sound, practical, encouraging, and convicting, you can count on these to point you to Jesus!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sadly, if we keep shoving away opportunities to rehearse the truths of Scripture in everyday, mundane scenarios, we’re likely to grow- but in frustration, not in forbearance.”

“If there is anything that should narrow our scope down to the essentials, it’s being in charge of other human beings. If there is any pursuit that should take precedence over all others, it’s investing in everlasting souls.”

I am so thankful for Abbie’s encouraging voice amidst a sea of complaining moms and women who try to convey the idea that having children robs one of joy and fulfillment. All three of her books have been five star reads for me and are books I revisit when I need sage wisdom and inspiration. Abbie points mamas to God’s Word to challenge, edify, encourage, and spur us on in our important and joyful work. His Word never returns void and the same can be said of his calling for mothers to invest in the privilege laid before us. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you, Harvest House for a complementary copy of this wonderful book! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Anna Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this being AH’s third book, I was kinda worried her content would be repetitive, but I didn’t find it to be. She does have the same gold thread that links all her books and it’s basically this: Moms, read God’s word and pray; ask Him for help! And He will.
This is always such a great reminder! AH’s voice helps encourage me to not grow complacent or weary in motherhood. I also appreciated her more nuanced chapters in this book, like how she addressed the “must be nice…” thought that can be so destructive (guilty). I’m very thankful for this author and how she points moms to Christ.

[Alison (readinginazaleawoods) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever read a book that feels like a coffee date with a wise, encouraging friend? That’s exactly how You Bet Your Stretch Marks by Abbie Halberstadt feels. Abbie has been on my radar for years, and her book M Is for Mama has sat on my shelf just as long. Why I didn’t pick it up sooner is a tragedy—because after recently finishing You Bet Your Stretch Marks, I now know M Is for Mama is one I absolutely need to read. And honestly, You Bet Your Stretch Marks is a book every mom needs.

Every day I opened the pages, I was humbled, convicted, and encouraged. These chapters are rich with godly wisdom, stewardship, humility, and light humor. Reading it, you feel seen and heard—as if you’re sitting with a dear friend who knows the path you’re on and simply wants to encourage you along the way.

Abbie doesn’t shy away from talking about the harmful mindsets and ideologies we can fall prey to, the ones that influence our parenting and quietly impact our homes. Some chapters brought me to tears, others encouraged my heart, but every single one pointed me to Jesus.

One of my favorite features is the “Titus Two Perspective” at the end of each chapter. Here, older women in the faith share wisdom we can all glean from, offering reminders on how to respond to the world with God’s truth. Each chapter also includes practical steps, reflection questions, and a prayer—all thoughtfully designed to help moms live out the principles Abbie shares and to grow in Christlikeness.

If you’re looking for a meaningful gift for a mom this Christmas, I highly recommend this one. No matter where she is in her motherhood journey, this book can truly mentor and pour into her heart.

Thank you @harvesthousepublishers for my copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. What a blessing this book is!

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbie brings the encouragement and conviction that mamas need. Her books feel like a safe harbor for mamas who are striving to “walk in a manner worthy of their calling” when it comes to the work of motherhood. I’ve felt bolstered and spurred on by all three of her books, but this one was even more bold - both in calling out the detrimental & unbiblical attitudes of popular culture and in lovingly calling mamas to rise up to the high call and high joy of biblical motherhood.

Abbie writes with humor & honesty, modeling a positive perspective on parenting that feels so refreshing. I especially loved her thoughts on the value of truly appreciating your children for the gifts they are, her biblical analysis of popular secular parenting philosophies, and her admonition to evaluate your rhythms and establish habits that serve your family.

Mothers of every season will find solidarity and relatability in Abbie’s words, along with the necessary encouragement & conviction we all need. I personally find Abbie’s down-to-earth practicality & biblical insights deeply encouraging in my current season of early motherhood, but Abbie also offers advice and hope to mothers navigating the teenage years.

Thank you to Harvest House publishers for a complimentary copy of this book. Thoughts expressed belong entirely to me.

[Lydia Bethay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Abbie’s thesis, that children are always worth it. No matter what challenges come your way, children are always worth it, because this is God’s design for us. Grateful to Abbie for writing this book as I’m sure she will receive a lot of push back from women on this topic. It’s not easy to write an entire book on this topic, knowing you will have an entire army of women challenging every jot and tiddle of your arguments. Abbie talked about how just getting married and having children or a child is seen as an act of rebellion to the secular culture we live in. This is why her book is needed for Christian women today, because they have bought and proclaimed the lie that children are not worth it.

[Nikita Stickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Abbie’s books. Having had the pleasure of meeting her twice and hearing her speak twice, I’m always convicted and encouraged. I’m so thankful she is being obedient to the Holy Spirit and writing these while in the midst of raising 10 kiddos. Born for such a time as this in the generation of kids being a burden instead of blessing. Thankful for a woman of truth rewriting the narrative. Are children worth it? You bet your stretch marks!!

[Brittany Lindvall]

Out of all her books thus far this is my favorite. I found this one most encouraging and applicable for the season I am in and I think a lot of the moms I know would be blessed by it as well.

[Savannah Dauster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t want to be dramatic, but I really think this is something every Christian mother should read. It’s so timely, wise, and saturated in scripture. The author truly sees through the lies of our culture and the travesty of Christian mothers receiving their primary discipleship through social media, and she pulls the curtain back graciously and firmly.

Many passages were just tear jerkers or soul piercers or eye openers. One of those books I know I will need to own in physical form so I can mark it up to reference for my own motherhood journey and in helping other moms!

Format: Audio
Abby Halberstadt is a rare author because she has a voice I didn’t mind listening to for 7 hours. Not a fan of this trend in general, but it shouldn’t be a deterrent for this one!

[Danielle R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was life changing and one of the best books on godly motherhood that I’ve read.

[Hannah Schnetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed thoughts on this book.

I have read each of Abbie Halberstadt's books as they were released, and in God's providence they each hit me at a different stage of parenting. Each of the books in her trio were applicable and encouraging at the time that I read them, and I love her heart for uplifting other moms while stating crucial truths from Scripture. Not many can balance hard-hitting exhortation with gracious delivery, but she manages to do it well in both her books and her social media.

As with the first two, this book's message was well timed for me, as after three children and some major health concerns, the "tiger stripes" of motherhood are starting to manifest. This book is not for the first time beginner mom (read M is for Mama instead for that), but for the ones who have been in the fight for a while and are starting to weary of the struggle. Solid truths, helpful examples (albeit mostly online illustrations), challenging discussion questions, and a whole lot of up front honesty. Read the chapter titles in the table of contents for an example of what kind of honesty we are talking. They always gave me a wry grin and I appreciated the humorous candor.

That said, I have a caveat. I am not a fan of conversational, fragmented sentence writing style, only because I don't think it translates well into book form. Books need more of a structure to the sentences in order to preserve the flow of thought, but this reads as if you are listening to her podcast. While that makes it a very easy read, it left me searching for more.

However, after mulling it over, I think that is Abbie's point. More than the other two books, she has written this directly to the modern mom who is dealing with online influences and - I venture to say - has not picked up a hearty meat-filled book in a while. She utilizes the punchy, parentheses-filled, rapid fire dialog that social media captions are known for, interspersed with run-on sentences that are meant to be re-read. I found it distracting, to be honest, but if you haven't delved into the book scene recently, this might light your fire again. The chapters are long enough for substantial truth to be explained, yet short enough for the exhausted mom who is just trying to fit in a chapter of enrichment per day before she falls asleep. (Ask me how I know 😜)

All in all, a worthwhile read and full of needed reminders. Just be aware that it will challenge your heart instead of your brain. I hope she writes more of a deep dive style book in the future, as she has the knowledge and wisdom for it. I think after reading through this book her audience will be ready for the stronger stuff.

[Rachel Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of Biblical principles, backed up by so many Scripture references. Convicting and timely. Loved reading and discussing this with my dear friend. We both came away challenged and encouraged!

[Lia Ross Reads]

I don’t think I have laughed out loud this much reading a nonfiction book in a while. If you are looking for something easy to read and practical, you might like this one. It has a very relatable tone and is extremely practical.

Abbie shares a lot of wisdom from her years of mothering (She is blessed to raise 10 children)

While funny at parts, she does talk about serious struggles and hardships moms face like when our children don’t listen or life feels overwhelming.

It reads like a seasoned mom friend giving you advice and the great thing about this book is she takes each point back to how we should be seeking to model Christ in our motherhood.

It has questions at the end of the chapters and there is a study guide you can grab so would be good to read for a book club too.

I also must add that the cover and interior pages of this book are STUNNING, it is hardcover so durable for throwing in your bag to read a few pages during appointments or waiting in carline.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Mothers seem to be increasingly primarily concerned not with meeting their children's needs but with exceeding them. Whether or not they realize it, they don't want to be enough. They want to be more than enough.”
—Abbie Halberstadt, You Bet Your Stretch Marks (Chapter 9)

I wrote this quote down in my commonplace journal. It speaks to me deeply.
Mrs. Halberstadt shared this right after addressing questions she often receives about whether she spends “enough” time with each of her children or if they all just form one big blob together. These are questions I’ve started to get too… and ones I used to ask my adopted father, who already had six children when he took me in.

This quote sums up a common misconception about having more than one child: the fear of not being enough. Yet God is enough, and He has entrusted us with these blessings. When we feel we aren’t enough, we fall into the enemy’s trap of comparison.My dad used to take me on a weekly walk to Arby’s. Sometimes we split a meal, sometimes just a soda. His simple check-ins with me were enough. We don’t need to orchestrate extravagant one on one time to make each child feel special. Small gestures matter.

Mrs. Halberstadt ties this beautifully to the example of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (15,000 with families!). With only meager offerings, He multiplied them. In the same way, God can multiply our simple, imperfect efforts the moment we surrender them to Him.

✨ I truly enjoyed You Bet Your Stretch Marks, the third book in Abbie Halberstadt’s motherhood trilogy. She makes me laugh out loud with her humor and strengthens my heart as she takes a bold stand for children in a world that often devalues them.

Why I read this book:
I’ve read the other two in this series and always appreciate Mrs. Halberstadt’s heart for mothers and her defense of children in a culture that mocks them for cheap laughs. I value moms who won’t settle for mediocrity, but who are also honest about the challenges of motherhood without trashing children for being, well…children.

What I loved:
🌿 Titus Two Perspective, each chapter closes with veteran moms sharing godly, biblical reflections on motherhood.
🌿 The humor and transparency (the comment about “Choo-Choo Joe is dead” had me laughing out loud from page one).
🌿 The reminder that the daily, ordinary work of motherhood is holy and beautiful.
🌿 Practical prompts at the end of each chapter to reflect, apply, and tie everything back to Scripture.
🌿 The lovely illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, adding beauty and charm.


📚 You Bet Your Stretch Marks by Abbie Halberstadt
🌿 Genre: Motherhood / Parenting (Biblical)
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ –I’ll be rereading this one whenever I need encouragement!

Things to know: Written by a Christian mother of 10, this book is clean, faith filled, and full of encouragement. Some sections will tug at your heart, but she always points back to relying on the Lord.

Who it’s for: Moms who want to strengthen their motherhood journey by leaning on Christ instead of drawing endlessly from their own depleted wells.

🌿 This was such a delightful and timely read! Thank you Harvest House for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Rosalynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 4.5. I love her practical, biblically based encouragement for mamas. The end of chapter encouragement from other mamas was also a delightful add in for this final book in her trilogy.

Docking half a star for personal preference - I found the “examples” of specifically viral social media posts and Reddit threads kind of annoying. While I understand her sphere of influence is primarily on social media, I just didn’t feel like calling out ridiculous viral things (often here today, gone tomorrow like most things on the news) particularly helpful.

But aside from that, overall a great encouragement and a good read. Looking forward to diving deeper into this book at a future book club with some fellow mamas.

[Sara Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

Such an encouraging read filled with so much wisdom for God fearing mamas. I felt convicted in so many parts of this book. I felt encouraged and uplifted all throughout! I also loved the stories she included from other mom friends at the end of each chapter! Great read and would recommend to any of my mom friends!

The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read for me is because I didn’t love how often she referenced her other books throughout the entirety of this book.

[Tara-Lee Oostenbrug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. Especially loved the Titus 2 perspective from an “older mom” at the end of each chapter.

I find with each book Abbie gets a little more sassy / more confrontational in some ways 😂 But don’t let that stop you from reading this because there’s so many great points, encouragement, scripture references and prayer prompts that I found really helpful :)

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about the value of motherhood and it was such a timely encouragement to me. It is full of relatable stories, biblical truth, and encouragement to keep persevering. I love all of Abbie’s books and highly recommend them (even if you’re not a stay at home mom of 10 and don’t plan to be).

[Taylor Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I had a hard time getting through (and did not finish) Abbie’s first book, M Is for Mama, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this book (even though I really wanted to like it). But You Bet Your Stretch Marks hit differently for me and I truly enjoyed it and feel like I will need to relisten/read again. Now I’m going to give Abbie’s two other books another try.

[Carrie]

I often find books about Christian motherhood difficult to read for various reasons (it's partly the books, it's partly me!) and don't make it through it them, and this one still had some of those factors, but overall I really liked it. I found the mindset shift encouraging and meaningful, and there was a lot in here that refreshed me, along with some good parenting principles that I have been thinking about, and even started to actually do.

[Becky Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and some of the application tips in the book. Also loved the Bible verses and encouragement to memorize them at the end of the chapters.

Giving it a 4 star just because I think some of the examples got drawn out and were not the most applicable.

[Meghan John · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️’s. The flow wasn’t as natural as the previous two books, but this tome is still chock-full of Biblical wisdom, encouragement, and humor.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again it felt like a visit with an older wise sister who has a good grasp on culture and parenting and the bible. Topics are all over the place, but it was enjoyable and encouraging.

[Kim Lindemulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed Abbie's other 2 books in the trilogy but this one was my favorite! I loved how Abbie spoke to a topic that is very relevant today. I found so much encouragement throughout the entire book, not only for my own life but also for speaking Truth into other women's lives. I am grateful for Abbie's willingness to speak the Truth in love and for her use of Scripture throughout the entire book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary audio copy in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book so much I went out and bought a physical copy. I highly recommend for any mom who is struggling to continue doing good in motherhood or feeling weary in their season of motherhood.

[Kelsey Blanchard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book. I read M is for Mama by Abbie several years ago and loved it at the time, but this one was different for me. I was really encouraged by the content of the book, I just didn’t love how she got there. I personally think she used too many examples from other people, specifically DM’s, and at times it felt condemning toward them. Again I was still encouraged by the bulk of the book, but not sure I would read it again or pass it along to someone else.

[Trista · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

[Hannah Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third Abbie Halberstadt read, and I continue to enjoy her work. Although I was contemplating whether or not I really remembered M is for mama, which I read first, and then through a few allusions in this text, I realized that some of those details have stuck with me and affected my parenting (I.e. discipline boot camp etc).

This book seemed to respond to an issue of “is it better to have children or to not have children” for a modern culture that seems to devalue the role of being a mother and promote both self care and professional productivity. In this discussion, as I am currently pregnant with my 5th child, I don’t think I am even waffling on my opinion ;) so that was less relevant to my personal growth and decisions.

However, I have run into more and more women, even Christian women with whom I mostly share the same world views, who have chosen not to have children out of fear of the future of our society or because it seems like work or an inconvenience (of course this is not the case for all homes with no children as there are extenuating circumstances). I have also run into so many families in which they have chosen to have children but they talk about child raising as a perpetual burden.

It is so difficult to rewrite cultural narratives about family and energy, but it is essential as Christians that we model for our world the love of Christ, and as a mother, what better way than to happily give up our selfishness to disciple our children well. What incredible opportunity it is to witness to strangers at a grocery store when they comment on how much work it must be to bring my kids to the store and I can, ever so briefly recast the vision to be one of gratefulness and joyful ness instead.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbie Halberstadt’s motherhood trilogy (this book is the third) are the books I wish I had read as a new mom. They are all practical, relatable, honest, challenging, purposeful, and Biblically based. This book focuses on asking the question “Is motherhood worth it?”. The title of the book is Abbie’s answer.

I really appreciated the chapter on parenting philosophies (or anything, really) that promise that if you just do x, y, and z your kids will turn out okay. In some ways I did fall prey to that in my early mothering and did not get the results promised to me. And I really wish I had read a book like this that says to turn to God in prayer instead of to a parenting philosophy that does not know or love your child and has no control over their future. These take all autonomy away from the child and lay a heavy, impossible burden on the parent.

The title is a little too cutesy for me, but I appreciated the message.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Abbie’s books so I was excited when I got the chance to listen to this as a new release. It was narrated by Abbie herself and I really enjoyed it.

I can’t come up with a good way to summarize my feelings on this book but I will say it’s full of so much wisdom and encouragement that I’d actually recommended getting it in print so you can highlight all of the nuggets of wisdom that are impossible to remember when you listen to audio.

Whether you’re a hopeful mother, one just starting out, a seasoned mother of many, or even someone resistant to the idea of motherhood - this book is for you. Full of biblical wisdom, relatable stories, and at times cringey honesty (no secrets here!) - it could be beneficial to women in many seasons in life.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to listen to an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.