unNatural Mom: Why You Are the Perfect Mom for Your Kids

by Hettie Brittz

Do you feel like you’re the only mom who serves store-bought birthday treats, dreads school plays, and misses the days of going to the bathroom by herself?

unNatural Mom gives you permission to say that mothering doesn’t always come naturally to you. Parenting expert and self-proclaimed unnatural mom Hettie Brittz helps you…
Recognize how unrealistic our culture’s standards of mothering are Move beyond the myths of “supermom” Complete the Parenting Style Assessment to determine your own parenting style Understand and forgive the mothers who hurt you Embrace your capabilities as well as your challenges Come find new hope in discovering that every mother has unique gifts. In Christ, the “unnatural” mom becomes the supernatural mom who is just right for her family!

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Christian Living

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2016

About the author

I was born and raised in South Africa and married the man I fell in love with at first sight. He sang his way into my heart. It's been 30 years. We have three delightful children, and a wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law. We all live in Tennessee.

As an author, speaker, and life coach, I have the privilege of speaking into people's lives in the areas of personal, professional, and spiritual growth.

Many people have contributed to my life in their unique ways—each giving me permission, encouragement, and skills to live a purposeful life, sustained by a calling that I am becoming surer and surer of each year. These certainties include the firm knowledge that we are meant to be unique, that our uniqueness is a compass needle that points to our True North, that that North truly matters, and that there is life, provision, overflow, and generosity at that place because when we operate there, it is God Himself who leads and teaches us to lead.

A few deeply humbling and life-altering experiences—the hardest two were possibly climbing Kilimanjaro and starting a new life in the USA in my late forties—have shaped me. The first "climb" tortured some of my worst characteristics out of me—those that are not helpful in either life or leadership; the second taught me the extent to which we are lost without a support structure that believes in our calling. These two things I want to do with a mixture of compassion and challenge: I want to be your sherpa while you climb your mountains, but also the sherpa that firmly refuses to let you remain stuck because you're not at Uhuru yet. (Kilimanjaro's peak is called Uhuru and means "freedom").

Let's become free together: free to be true to our DNA, free to allow others to be true to theirs, free to leave the part of the past that does not serve a purpose, free to grow, free to fail in the unimportant and temporary matters of life, and free to expect life to be tremendously meaningful!

"Know your design; live your purpose!"

Here are a few random facts about me:

- I am not a "land animal" - I enjoy long-distance swimming more than running around the block - but I fell in love with hiking in 2011 when I joined 47 equally crazy ladies of the Freedom Climb (now called the Freedom Challenge) to climb Kilimanjaro to raise funds for initiatives against human trafficking.

- Maybe all women are complicated, but I may be particularly complex unless it is normal to derive equal thrill from big game hunting and scrapbooking.

- My favorite author is Frederick Buechner

- I was a speech, language, and hearing therapist many years ago and loved working with special needs kids, voice patients, and adults with brain injury.

- Hot air balloons speak to me (long story!), and I finally got to ride in one in 2021!

My writing and speaking have a central theme—HOPE. I have never met someone or seen a relationship I don't have hope for. I don't believe in "permanently broken". And I have proof. Our family survived an armed robbery in our home in 2010, and I learned first-hand that He who is in us truly is greater than death threats, kidnapping, rape, and any other attempt to devastate those who are in Christ. It's one thing to know the Bible verses, but to experience God's redemption in our darkest night gave me a fierce love for Jesus. Fierce, because I feel I need to fight for others to know this, to know Him, to know truths that set free–forever and completely.

My core calling still is family and parenting, leadership, education, marriage, and womanhood (the themes of most of my books). I don't see this calling as six separate things at all. Whole and hopeful parents and educators raise whole and hopeful kids who can have fulfilling relationships and lead the world. See? One thing!

Reviews

[April Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I feel like I need to read it again already- just to let it sink in. So many times as a mom I feel like I’m failing or not living up to what I think a mom should be. Many times I feel like an (un)Natural Mom, but as Hettie teaches in this book, we all have God given gifts, as moms, as well as areas that are more challenging for our temperaments. Each temperament reflects another aspect of God’s character and rather than beating ourselves up for not being another type of mom we can embrace His grace and acknowledge that God designed our family intentionally. I can embrace and trust that I AM the perfect mom for my kids. I can soften the hard edges of my kids while still embracing who God has made them to be and in turn he can use my kids to help me fulfill my calling.

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many times we find things that seem to be working for our peers or friends as parents and we want to try them out to see if they want to work for us. Then, we find that those things don’t work for us with our personality, beliefs and way of parenting. We then feel inadequate when these parenting solutions don’t work for us. I can think of a million examples in my own life, and I bet that most of you can too. So, when I got the opportunity to review Hettie Brittz’s new book (un)Natural Mom: Why You Are the Perfect Mom for Your Kids, I was really enthused to get to take a look at the book, and knew that it would probably be very helpful for me in my parenting journey.

Hettie begins by confessing to some very unnatural parenting moments, and then moves on to the myths of what mothers are supposed to be. After all, we have to get the myths, such as the one about being an excellent housekeeper, out of the way before we can get to honesty in our parenting. Once these are expelled, Hettie begins to explain that temperament matters a whole lot in parenting, and invites you to take your own temperament test to be sorted into different kinds (or combinations) of types of trees. If you’re curious, my temperament is Box-Pine, and a little heavier on the Pine side.

The meat of the book chronicles the four types of moms (Boxwood, Palm, Rose, and Pine) through the eyes of one person’s example and experience as a mom. She does a “day in the life” walkthrough of that mom’s life, her views on the different stages of parenting and explains how that type of mom deals with nurturing, discipline, training and coping with life in general. She discusses some of the strengths and pitfalls of each temperament, pointers for living with a mom of that temperament, how they can step into more “supernatural” parenting and how this temperament reflects God’s heart.

After these chapters, Brittz devotes a chapter to moms of mixed temperaments and listing their basic personality traits. (Hubby says mine is spot-on!) The final chapter of the book is a call to supernatural motherhood with God at the center.

I really, really felt empowered by this book. I’ve read about temperaments and personalities before, but I’ve never felt like there was a tool that totally got me as a parent and my parenting style before. I also loved that Brittz uses the example of one mom for each of the four main chapters because I felt that, by focusing on her life, I could really picture what it would be like to live as a mom with that temperament. I think I understand why something like sleep training might have worked for another mom, and co-sleeping was a joy for me with each of my children. I understand better why some forms of discipline that work for other moms feel awful and icky to me.

I’ve been okay with my own style for a while, but occasionally gave into self-righteousness in my parenting style and felt like my way was for everyone. I feel a lot freer to give grace as a parent to other women who are different from me, and that’s the very best thing about this book for me. If you are looking to understand yourself as a parent or to give grace to moms who parent differently, this is a great read!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Dominique *Paperbacks & Frybread* · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book, (un) Natural Mom by Hettie Brittz, she brought so much into perspective. I learned a lot about myself, and was encouraged that I'm not the only one struggling in this beautiful mess of a ministry. By chapter 2-I was in tears.

There are about 5 different profiles that Hettie describes. She gives the good, the bad, and the scriptures to wrap it all up. I would be so bold as to say this could very well help heal the wounds we mamas have inflicted on ourselves by focusing on our shortcomings. It exposes those, but illuminates our strengths that we seem to just skim over.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

(un)Natural Mom is a fantastic book written for mom’s to help them recognize that they don’t have to be perfect in their parenting methods. It discusses how moms are criticized sometimes for the way they do things or just feel inadequate all on their own when comparing themselves to other moms. This book is just right for empowering and inspiring moms to be the best mom they can be in their own skin. I would recommend this book to any struggling or successful mom or mom to be.

Genre: non-fiction, parenting
Publisher: David C. Cook
Publication date: August 1, 2016
Number of pages: 288

Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars

A review copy of this book was provided by LitFuse.

[Evianrei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Unnatural Mom: Discovering the Beauty of Parenting from Your Strengths at a Mardels when I was roughly 7 months pregnant. It was super-on-sale (a whole $1) and I was new to my faith and definitely on my way to being a new mother.

Unnatural Mom: Discovering the Beauty of Parenting from Your Strengths is about finding your mothering style, your temperament (explained in the book) and what strengths, weaknesses, and characteristics go with that temperament. There are four temperaments in this book: Boxwood Tree, Rose Bush, Palm Tree, and Pine Tree. You can also test as a combination of the temperaments. The test for these temperaments is free and can be found online (as guided by the book).

I want to preface my experience by saying that I don't want to take the temperament label to heart, and I won't be telling everyone that I found the answers now that I have been labeled a certain temperament. This book is not a book of answers and will not solve everything once you 'just know what temperament you are'. People are more complex than this. I will for review's sake mention what I tested as, and what I think though.

I tested as a Boxwood Tree Mom. I'll be honest a lot of qualities of the 'boxwood mom' fit me. But not entirely. The book does go on to say that not everything will fit perfectly. However I really don't think you can categorize people, it is in human nature to do so, but God has made us all so entirely unique that these labels are going to fall flat in places. The best thing I took from this book were the reflecting questions and statements after every temperament chapter. Even the ones that I didn't get as a result. I ended up marking these reflection areas down with sticky notes and found them to be the most helpful. I will most likely use this book as a small 'keep myself and my emotions/actions in perspective' guide. The character personalities used as examples for each mom type are helpful to get an image in your head though if you need one.

Below are some quotes I found helpful from the book (a select few of the ones I highlighted.):

"You help me to say no so that I don't become a people pleaser. I feel terrible when I say no, but you can remind me that I always have a choice and need not be the victim of people with more forceful personalities than mine."

"I'll stand up for my spouse and children, even if it will likely cause conflict.

"I'll give people the benefit of the doubt when I'm unsure about their emotions."

"I'll watch my emotions and stop the downward thought spiral before it gets out of hand."

"I will make an effort to give you enough advance warning before I do something that will disrupt your routine or comfort."

"I will stop insisting that my way is the best and only way and will intentionally identify the value in how my children do things differently."

"I will put my work aside to connect with my children in their own world, starting with finding out all of their favorites, from colors to songs and movies."

Overall, this book is a good resource for self-reflecting and all the chapters have good questions to ask yourself regardless of which you tested as. I would recommend asking yourself the summary reflection questions at the end of each chapter and find which reflections you personally identify with rather than honing in on which temperament type you are. If you are self aware enough a lot of these reflections will jump off the page at you and make you think. I know which ones jumped out at me.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I had high hopes that this book was going to help me with the areas of motherhood where I struggle, and it was a good book, but it didn't really speak to me in the way I was hoping. She sort of speaks to "Unnatural moms" who feel "less than" because they may not bake or sew or whatever, traditional things like that and the book seemed like an extension of personality profiles: 85% of the book is describing different personality types and what they might look like as moms, and I partly identified with 3/4 but didn't really have any "aha moments"...then 5% of the book kind of tells you to cast off your natural personality tendencies...I needed 85% of the book telling me how to get over the tendencies and desires of my personality as they conflict with motherhood (desiring peace and quiet and order and alone time, that sort of thing), and 10% describing personality types. I also felt like she sort of marginalized stay at home moms (such as myself) by talking about the different types of work different moms prefer, or how some moms just "do better" working outside the home...and I was looking for support and advice on how to make the best of and enjoy being home with my little kids--and also trying to take care of things around the house. I think the book still had some good insights so I'm giving 3 stars but it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

[Christine Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical about taking a profile that labeled me as a tree (technically I'm a rose bush), but this was a really powerful book. It talked a lot about different temperaments and how that changes your style of motherhood and the strengths and weaknesses of each. But the most impactful part was talking about how God created each mother and her temperament and how they all fit into his plan to bring Himself glory. A nail in the coffin of Mom guilt for sure. I needed this message!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a creative, encouraging and helpful book. It made me feel glad to have my contra-rose tendencies! And help understand myself a little more. My favorite part was where she reminds us that we can't ruin our kids' lives based off of a passage from Isaiah--how lovely a good word spoken at the right time! I will definitely recommend this to my mom friends!

[Amanda Schoolland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for identifying yourself as a mom. It reminds us to find grace for all types of moms and their gifts in mothering. The author is genuine and open about her own journey.

[Jo Chorlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, but then again I love personality tests! I felt affirmed by reading this book, and enjoyed the somewhat extreme portraits of the different types of mothers.

[Jansie Both · Rating 4 out of 5]

All mothers must read this book!

[Esther Duttweiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous encouragement for any mom, whether you're almost perfect at it or feel like you're just keeping your head above water. I will revisit this book often.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonated with me in so many ways. I would recommend it to any Mom who feels like she just doesn’t measure up. The profile they encourage you to take is an awesome supplemental tool.

[Katherine Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh yes, we moms do struggle with confidence in our roles as parents. I personally don’t know any mom who doesn’t. Society (yes, Social Media, I’m looking at you) places so much pressure on moms to do it right. So when a fresh voice comes on the scene that might help me discern my own best parenting practices, I want to hear what she has to say.

Enter Hettie Brittz and (un)Natural Mom.

What I liked most, perhaps, was the fresh content. Like most moms, I’ve read many parenting self-help books with only slight twists on the same topics, but this one had a unique spin on things. On top of that, Brittz’s insights into temperament and personality-types were spot-on. I know many people don’t care for labels, seeing them as putting people in a box. Personally, I find them helpful. They help me to define edges, to discern placement, and they enhance my understanding. Brittz is careful to add a disclaimer to the effect that not every single trait described for a certain type will apply, and this certainly was the case for me. But I found enough resonance to render her conclusions credible.

By the same token, what made this material fresh also made it less accessible. Until the analogies were explained, there was no obvious way for me to see why I should be labeled a Box-Rose (a combo of Boxwood and Rose Bush). Once explained, it did make sense, but before that, as I looked at the table of contents — which uses these labels as chapter headings — I had no way of knowing which sections would help me most immediately.

The other downside — which actually is not a direct reflection on the book — is that the website that determines your profile to find your parenting style (the “test” for which is free) provides no additional information without additional expense (though having the book does allow for a discount). So for help in interpreting your parenting style, you either have to read the book or pay for additional reports.

That said, once I did understand my profile, the book offered a wealth of helpful insights, plus tips and tools to leverage strengths and manage weaknesses. I experienced a series of aha moments, deepening my understanding of self, which in turn allows me to be a more loving, more effective, and — dare I say? — more natural mom.

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.

[Rachel Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

(un)Natural Mom felt like it was written just for me. Hettie Brittz starts by opening up with some of her most epic fails as a parent. It was relieving to read that someone else felt as out of her depth in parenting as I do. She then has a chapter about some of the myths of natural parenting that she believes are the most burdensome on mothers.

If you read this book, you should take the Tall Trees (un)Natural Mother Parenting Profile, which will give you a parenting type to focus on in the book. This is free. You can take it without the book, but you will have to pay $20 for the detailed result. If you get the book, then take the profile test, you get a 50% discount, if you want to purchase the detailed report, or you can just use the information in the book. Even without taking the quiz, you can read through the descriptions of the different types of mothers and figure out which type or types you are.

When I started reading through the chapters about specific "mom types" it was so wonderful to read about someone that was so much like me. Best of all, it pointed out the good parts of my "mom type". As a Boxwood Mom, it can be really easy for me to see the negatives, and a lot harder for me to see the positives.

Each chapter has some reflection questions, and ways that God can work your "mom type" for good for your children. Although it is clearly a Christian book, which I appreciate, I am 100% certain that people of other faiths, or no faith at all, can gain a lot of insight into themselves by reading this book.

Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. It is something I will go back and reread parts of for years to come. In the world we live in, where it is so easy to share only the "best of..." pieces of our lives, it is a refreshing reminder that everyone has faults, not everyone is a natural at everything, and everyone has good qualities as well.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review, from LitFuse.

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

Do you feel like you’re the only mom who serves store-bought birthday treats, dreads school plays, and misses the days of going to the bathroom by herself?


unNatural Mom gives you permission to say that mothering doesn’t always come naturally to you. Parenting expert and self-proclaimed unnatural mom Hettie Brittz helps you…

Recognize how unrealistic our culture’s standards of mothering are Move beyond the myths of “supermom”. Complete the Parenting Style Assessment to determine your own parenting style Understand and forgive the mothers who hurt you. Embrace your capabilities as well as your challenges. Come find new hope in discovering that every mother has unique gifts. In Christ, the “unnatural” mom becomes the supernatural mom who is just right for her family!


My Review:

There is a saying that says, God created you to be the perfect mom for your children. To our family there is no replacing us or the things we do for them. Some of us moms are the everything from scratch type and some of us are the everything is store bought type. Which ever you turn out to be doesn't really matter as long as we love our families with everything and do our best to show them that love each day.


The Parenting Style Assessment was an eye opener for this always trying to have it together for my family. I am always going and doing and rushing. One big thing that crushes me is when I think that I can't fulfill something that I think that they wanted from me. But Jesus doesn't want us to struve to be the best according to this world. He wants us to do better based on Him and what He qualifies as good.



The author shows us how to achieve "amazing mom" status and it's actually easier than you may think.



**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.

[Natalie Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many books out there on parenting that it's hard to find one that offers a unique perspective that might bring some enlightenment to the reader. Hettie Brittz does just that in (un)Natural Mom: Why You are the Perfect Mom for Your Kids.

In the beginning Ms. Brittz suggests going to their website to take a personality profiling test to find out what kind of tree you most closely represent. Along with finding what tree type you might be, you'll also receive the result of three-dimensional mothering style: Nurture Profile, Discipline Profile, and Mentor Profile. These results will guide you as continue to read the book.

Ms. Brittz reveals her own mothering "failures" and strives to encourage other mothers through her experiences and those of a few mothers who match the tree profile to encourage women to realize they are the perfect mother for their children.

Once you find out what kind of tree you are (I'm a Boxwood with Palm and Rose Bush tendencies) there's a chapter describing what's important to you; how to live with that particular tree; and the best way to "prune" the tree.

As a mom of teenagers now, what I found most useful in this book was the definitions that matched my children. Some of what Ms. Brittz offers in the way of gardening and caring for the trees to encourage the best growth was helpful in seeing how best to help my children. And that's the goal, right? To raise healthy kids who don't need too much therapy when they're older? I'm kidding!

This book delivers a unique perspective on mothering that provides some relief to the mad race of raising perfect children while not being a perfect person. It allows moms to see themselves-the good; the bad; the ugly-and realize God created us to parent our children and their needs just the right way.

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Lydia Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why I Choose this Book:
Although I'm obviously not a mother yet, I do have a lot of kids in my life and I've found that sometimes it helps me be a better human when I study books like this one. Also, I would like to be a mother one day, so the subject is quite interesting to me. Plus, mothers are just incredibly amazing and I am pretty overwhelmed them, so reading a book by a mother about mothering seemed smart.

What I Thought About this Book:
It was quite interesting. There were many things that didn't apply to me at this stage in life (duh), but I was surprised at how much I still gleaned from the book. Miss Hettie pretty much created her own "personality system" for mothers, using trees for the different categories. Since I have a fond place in my heart for studying personalities, this book was right up my alley.
Miss Hettie writes with a lot of honesty and some humor. I was happily surprised at her creative way to weave the different personality traits into the book and found myself eager to keep reading. I found areas in life I could relate, even though I don't have kids of my own, and look forward to hopefully reading this book again down the road if I ever have kids of my own.

Conclusion:
Her book was definitely written from the mother-to-mother point of view, and even though there weren't lots of details, it's not a book I would hand to a young teenage girl.

Rating:

I'm giving (un) Natural Mother 4 stars out of 5, and 7 stars out of 10. (The book was close to a 3-star book for me, but I'm fairly certain it would have gotten a solid 4-star review if I was a mother, which is the intended audience, hence the rating.)

*I received this book free from Litfuse in exchange for an honest review*

[Missica Skeens pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really could not have come at a more perfect time, seriously. Parenting is hard, but parenting special needs (mostly solo) is really hard. I can't count the number of times I've questions my abilities as a mom. Or the number of times I have wondered what God saw in me to bless me with my son. All too often this parenting gig is so hard because we are trying to be that other parent. You know...the fun one. Or maybe it's the attentive one. Or maybe is the carefree one. Or perhaps it's the baking cookies and cupcakes one. Or maybe....JUST STOP! This book gives you freedom to break that mentality and be the mom YOU are meant to be.
I LOVE the Chapter 2 myths. OH MY HEAVENS! YES! It's crazy the expectations we put on mothers! You know what? I breastfed for 2 years 9.5 months. Guess what. I hated nearly every second of it. Yes...that's right. I did. I did not hear angels singing with each feeding. Actually, my back hurt, I sometimes had cramps, I had to let other things go....I didn't like it. I detest washing bottles more, and it was way healthier for him, so I did it. I didn't like it. Oh well! that's ok! All those "naturally" occurring things for a mother just didn't really naturally occur for me! And that's ok! And just an FYI to the homeschool party moms: No I did not bake those cookies, and this book tells me it's ok that I didn't! Someone did, and that's good enough for me!

**I received this free through Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone has a different personality. But most personalities can be broken down into a four or a mixture of these four. The author has taken this a step farther and given the reader four different mom personalities and how we can take those personalities and become an even better mom. She talks about how each mom is the perfect mom for the kids that God has given her.

I really enjoyed the author's writing style. I found myself laughing or sharing little pieces of the book to my friends or husband as I read. Brittz is honest and open about her faults and fails as well as her positives. She takes an upbeat, positive look at each personality and provides concrete ways that we can change the negative and enhance the positive. She uses her faith to weave a message of hope and promise for each reader. At the end of each chapter are reflective questions that help a mom to focus on what is important in her mothering journey. My only negative about the whole book is that you have to purchase the Tall Trees Parenting Profile that she references throughout the book. And it isn't cheap. Overall, I think this is a great book for parents, as both mom and dad will be able to take important things away from reading.

I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

`(un)Natural Mom` is a Christian living book for young moms written by author Hettie Brittz. It is not another `what you should be doing` book. As the author claims she is also an (un)Natural mom. The tagline reads `Why You Are the Perfect Mom for Your Kids`. Although the book is written for young moms; dad's, grandparents and caretakers may benefit from reading it also.

Hettie encourages mom's to enroll online in the private Tall Trees Training website. The website has a parenting profile tool where you can identify your unique three-dimensional mothering style (Nurture Profile, Discipline Profile, and Mentor Profile). Although the reader is encouraged to visit the website the book also goes over the different personalities.

The book is written in such a way it takes the pressure off the mom. As I read about author Hettie's inadequacies, as a young mom, I was able to let go of some of my misfortunes. For me it seemed every other mother was a natural, while I was struggling. Every other mother could probably tell I was struggling, but I was not about to admit it to them or myself. God did not make us to be some other mom. He made us to be mom to our own children, whatever that may look like.

I recommend this book to mom's, dad's, grandparents, and caretakers.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Litfuse Publishers for my honest opinion.

[LeAnne Klopfenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are wanting a parenting book that DOESN'T tell you how to parent, '(un)Natural Mom: Why You are the Perfect Mom for Your Kids' is the book you want! There is something so very refreshing found when an author is willing to tell of her own mishaps as a parent not to build teaching moments for the reader, but rather as a way to build connection with the reader.

First of all, Hettie's honesty, authenticity, and observations create a wonderful blend of humor & knowledge. Next, the writing style of the book makes it very easy for the reader to see how her own unique parenting style connects her to her kids. All in all, the book is fully meant to be one that encourages & validates moms, recognizing that we each our on our own paths, and don't have to constantly compare ourselves to other moms.

The book includes information to a profile link where you can discover your parenting style--the link to the website test is an invaluable resource, and the book will not make a much sense/have as much of an impact if you chose to ignore the test (I wrote my profile descriptions in the front of my book so I'd always have them as a handy reference while reading each chapter).

*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.*

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

And I thought. . . Real, Authentic Truth. Hettie allows us moms to realize that God has blessed us by being the moms he intended us to be.
I love the subtitle . . .
Why You Are the Perfect Mom for Your Kids
First I wish I had been taught these truths when I was parenting.
Second I wish that every mom gets a chance to read this book.
As a retired preschool teacher I have seen how damaging moms can feel from comparing themselves to other moms.
These days moms feel that they have to compete. Compete being the 'best mom'. And they feel their kids need to be a certain way based on what others are thinking or doing.
Hettie reminds the reader about the truth of God's word.
And dispels the myths of parenting.
This book offers hope for moms.
from the back cover...
Come find new hope in discovering that every mother has unique gifts. In Christ, the "unnatural" mom becomes the supernatural mom who is just right for her family!
This book rates 5 stars!
This review is posted at My Journey Back and Good Reads and is linked at some of my favorite linky parties. (a complete list can be found on my Parties Page)
I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel DeVaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The introduction and chapter 1 is about the author, Hetti, and her personal experiences with being an imperfect mom-an (un)natural mom.

She goes on to describe 7 myths in chapter 2.
1. Every woman must be naturally maternal
2. Every mom must get pregnant naturally
3. Every mom must give birth naturally
4. Every mom must be a natural at breastfeeding and continue as long as possible
5. Every mom must be a natural homemaker
6. Every mom must find parenting natural
7. Every mom should keep all things unnatural away from her family table

Since I love to read and learn about health and fitness, there were a couple things I didn't agree with her in number 7 section.

At the end of each chapter, she has some reflection journaling questions.

The author goes on to describe temperaments and that she believes there are 4 "Tall Trees Parenting Profiles" which can reveal the 4 mothering styles most common. Those were interesting to read. She gave examples on how these specific mothers act and their characteristics.

This was a very different "parenting" book than I've ever read. Not in a bad way-just different.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

[Keri My Table of Three · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world full of television shows and social media posts, it is hard not to be fooled into thinking we have to be "supermoms". It is so easy to compare ourselves to other moms we feel have it all together. But, we are not all called to be the same type mom, it is okay if we are imperfect. Who gets to say what’s perfect anyway, right? Hettie Brittz's book shares how we can embrace our parenting temperaments, even our flaws, all while being the perfect mother for our kids. She has really helped remind me that, although I am not perfect by the world’s standards, God knew exactly what he was doing when he choose me to be the mother of my son. I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this book and I feel like it would do wonders for so many moms out there. It is a great encouragement to accept ourselves as we are as moms and to strive to become the (super) Natural Moms that God has called us to be!
**Disclosure: I was giving a copy of this book by LitFuse in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100 percent my own.

[Crystal Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

"(un)Natural Mom" by Hettie Brittz is a great book written to help mothers realize that it's okay if they aren't the perfect mom 24/7. This book focuses on how moms are sometimes judged for the way they do things or just feel like complete failures when comparing themselves to other moms. This book is perfect for inspiring all mothers(and moms-to-be) to be the best they can be for their child(ren). I absolutely recommend this to ALL moms & mom-to-be.

*Disclaimer*

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

[Jennifer]

As you spend time with in the pages of this book the lessons that are learned are priceless. I have gained such a greater understanding of what temperament really means and how to truly manage it as well as use it in a positive manner while training up my children. We are all uniquely created there is no doubt about that. But we need to accept we are all uniquely created there is no doubt about that. But we need to accept and embrace how you make sleep we were created to be so that we can truly do all that the Lord has for us to do.

[Lisa Rupertus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it gives you permission to be the mom you naturally tend to sway to. You need to realize who you are and that God made you this way. You are the mom for your kids because they are your kids! It is freeing to give yourself permission to be your own type of Mom.

The author breaks down Moms into 4 main categories giving examples and strengths for each. There is a reflection at the end of each mom type to help you digest what you learn and think further.

*I received a copy of this book for review purposes, all opinions are my own

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't underlined, highlighted, and written in the margins of a book this much since college. I read parts of this book with tears in my eyes from both the realization of areas I need to work on and the truth that God has for each mom out there. Such a great book. I wish I could put a copy of tbis book in the hands of every mom I know. *I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

[Chardae · Rating 4 out of 5]

(un)Natural Mom is a good read. I love how Hettie is so truthful about her motherhood journey. We live in such a judgmental society and having the courage to admit and publicize your "faults" is takes amazing courage. I hope this book can help other moms feel at ease knowing they aren't the only ones being judged about their parenting style but also understand they are doing it their way which makes it right.