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Why Motherhood Matters: An Invitation to Purposeful Parenting
Mama, Your Work Has Deep Worth Do you ever wonder if your efforts as a mom make any difference?
Take heart. Whether you're struggling through sleepless nights with your toddler or endless battles with your teen, September McCarthy's story offers practical insights and powerful inspiration to encourage you on your own mothering journey.
As a mom for 25 years who continues to raise young children and love her young adults, September imparts words of wisdom and grace in key areas of Christian parenting, including... In these pages you'll find sweet anecdotes and gentle guidance for those moments you need both a breather and a lifeline. Motherhood is an incredible labor of love—and in the scope of eternity, it matters more than you know.
Take heart. Whether you're struggling through sleepless nights with your toddler or endless battles with your teen, September McCarthy's story offers practical insights and powerful inspiration to encourage you on your own mothering journey.
As a mom for 25 years who continues to raise young children and love her young adults, September imparts words of wisdom and grace in key areas of Christian parenting, including... In these pages you'll find sweet anecdotes and gentle guidance for those moments you need both a breather and a lifeline. Motherhood is an incredible labor of love—and in the scope of eternity, it matters more than you know.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2017
111 people are currently reading
1259 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
July 17, 2017
September didn’t just write her own story in this book–although there were many personal stories (which I loved) that illustrated her important and valuable lessons/messages. What she offers to readers is her many years of experience, her understanding heart and her rich faith in God, which will cheer mothers along on the wonderful, rewarding… tiring and taxing journey called motherhood.
This book is more than a quick read. It is one that stimulates personal refection and will be a great tool for working through one’s own struggles and challenges. September is an obvious teacher and really cares about women. She views motherhood as a sisterhood and comes alongside to offer tenderness, encouragement, ideas, and helpful scriptures, but more importantly, she offers an honest and helpful view from one who is still raising children but who has also raised a few to adulthood and is able to clearly see the fruit of her many labors.
In Why Motherhood Matters, September lays out the “Whys”, which will be especially helpful to those who are going through a dry time, or for those who just feel pulled a thousand different directions and are questioning the worth of their days. I can see women marking places in this book and going back to it again and again.
This book is more than a quick read. It is one that stimulates personal refection and will be a great tool for working through one’s own struggles and challenges. September is an obvious teacher and really cares about women. She views motherhood as a sisterhood and comes alongside to offer tenderness, encouragement, ideas, and helpful scriptures, but more importantly, she offers an honest and helpful view from one who is still raising children but who has also raised a few to adulthood and is able to clearly see the fruit of her many labors.
In Why Motherhood Matters, September lays out the “Whys”, which will be especially helpful to those who are going through a dry time, or for those who just feel pulled a thousand different directions and are questioning the worth of their days. I can see women marking places in this book and going back to it again and again.
August 30, 2022
What a gift this book was to me. I read it slowly, one chapter at a time and really tried to digest each one. The author’s vulnerability about motherhood was so refreshing and really invited me to be too. So many practical tips and insight backed by Scripture. I was encouraged, challenged, and feel more resolved than ever in my task of raising Godly men.
October 25, 2017
A copy of this review can be found at Book Ink Reviews
Sweet heavens did I need this book in my life right now. I am in the trenches of early terrible twos. In fact, today was mortifying in the local Hobby Lobby because Tiny decided to throw her biggest tantrum yet--over candy. And I became a yelling mom once at home because I was done. So. Very. Done.
And Why Motherhood Matters checked me hard. It is in the exact vein of encouragement and reproach needed for a young mother from an experienced mother. It is a balm reminding me of the grace extended to me. And I couldn't imagine reading another Bible Study more accurately done for motherhood.
Keep in mind, this study is for all mothers: those craving to become mothers, those that have lost their children at any point, those in the early stages, and those with children grown. I have gathered a list of all the incredible mothers I know in my own life to make sure I tell them to pre-order this book now.
If you're wondering if this might be geared toward you, it is. There will be chapters that aren't yet, and that's okay. I firmly believe this is one of those things you get, sit it next to your Bible, and pull it out when you're at a loss because the chapters that aren't applicable now will become so.
Do your Christian mothering heart a favor: pre-order this book. You will not regret the beauty, grace, and determination it will introduce to your life.
The only reason this study is not 5 stars is because it felt odd to read on my own and like the author took completed individual lessons and decided to make them a whole book.
Thank you to NetGalley, September McCarthy, and Harvest House Publishing for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sweet heavens did I need this book in my life right now. I am in the trenches of early terrible twos. In fact, today was mortifying in the local Hobby Lobby because Tiny decided to throw her biggest tantrum yet--over candy. And I became a yelling mom once at home because I was done. So. Very. Done.
And Why Motherhood Matters checked me hard. It is in the exact vein of encouragement and reproach needed for a young mother from an experienced mother. It is a balm reminding me of the grace extended to me. And I couldn't imagine reading another Bible Study more accurately done for motherhood.
Keep in mind, this study is for all mothers: those craving to become mothers, those that have lost their children at any point, those in the early stages, and those with children grown. I have gathered a list of all the incredible mothers I know in my own life to make sure I tell them to pre-order this book now.
If you're wondering if this might be geared toward you, it is. There will be chapters that aren't yet, and that's okay. I firmly believe this is one of those things you get, sit it next to your Bible, and pull it out when you're at a loss because the chapters that aren't applicable now will become so.
Do your Christian mothering heart a favor: pre-order this book. You will not regret the beauty, grace, and determination it will introduce to your life.
The only reason this study is not 5 stars is because it felt odd to read on my own and like the author took completed individual lessons and decided to make them a whole book.
Thank you to NetGalley, September McCarthy, and Harvest House Publishing for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2017
I am so glad I was chosen to review this book by September McCarthy about motherhood. I have felt so often that I'm a failure and what I do is so mundane and it doesn't really matter. I can't believe that I think and feel these things because I love God so much and I want to follow and obey Him. But I get overwhelmed and frustrated and I begin to go down the wrong path. This book was a compilation of many different thoughts for moms who feel these things.
September takes her experience as a mom of 10 and her passion to encourage moms and wrote {Why}Motherhood Matters because it does, much more than we can ever think or imagine. I felt like I was sitting across the table from this sweet mom as she told me many stories of her motherhood, lessons she learned, ideas to inspire my motherhood, ways to love to my kids and husband and myself. But most of all, to keep my mind and heart focused on Jesus who gives me the strength and grace to be the mom He created me to be.
Throughout the book September inserts specific Bible verses that pertain to the topic in the chapter, practical steps to take toward the the topic, questions to think about, her own parenting principle and a special prayer. Each chapter had a different theme. My favorites were: Why Overwhelmed Does Not Have to be Your Middle Name, Why Most of Motherhood Will be Spent on our Knees, Why a Tired Mom Can be the Most Influential Mom and Why It's OK to Say No to Your Children.
This is a book I will pick up and read a chapter from when I need encouragement or wisdom. Motherhood is much harder and more emotionally, physically and spiritually draining than I ever thought. But it is the sacrifice that God has called me to. As September says, "Motherhood is an incredible labor of love- and in the scope of eternity, it matters more than you know." I will not give up and I will stay strong in the Lord because I know it matters for eternity.
September takes her experience as a mom of 10 and her passion to encourage moms and wrote {Why}Motherhood Matters because it does, much more than we can ever think or imagine. I felt like I was sitting across the table from this sweet mom as she told me many stories of her motherhood, lessons she learned, ideas to inspire my motherhood, ways to love to my kids and husband and myself. But most of all, to keep my mind and heart focused on Jesus who gives me the strength and grace to be the mom He created me to be.
Throughout the book September inserts specific Bible verses that pertain to the topic in the chapter, practical steps to take toward the the topic, questions to think about, her own parenting principle and a special prayer. Each chapter had a different theme. My favorites were: Why Overwhelmed Does Not Have to be Your Middle Name, Why Most of Motherhood Will be Spent on our Knees, Why a Tired Mom Can be the Most Influential Mom and Why It's OK to Say No to Your Children.
This is a book I will pick up and read a chapter from when I need encouragement or wisdom. Motherhood is much harder and more emotionally, physically and spiritually draining than I ever thought. But it is the sacrifice that God has called me to. As September says, "Motherhood is an incredible labor of love- and in the scope of eternity, it matters more than you know." I will not give up and I will stay strong in the Lord because I know it matters for eternity.
December 24, 2021
This book is not at all what I was expecting. What I was looking for was how to transition into this new calling after thirty years of being my own person. I wanted someone to assure me that motherhood is a calling worth putting my other dreams on hold for. I wanted to be eased into a mindset where motherhood becomes my main focus.
A book entitled “Why Motherhood Matters” seemed like it might address a few of those questions. Unfortunately, this book is merely a how to guide on raising children, and not a very good one at that.
The writing in this book only becomes coherent in part 3 (halfway through). Before that it is a bunch of disjointed stories compiled with the author’s thoughts on whatever point she is trying to make.
I had an especially hard time getting into a book on why motherhood matters when she opened with the story of her loss in a chapter entitled “everyone else is having a baby and I’m not.” Even as someone whose initiation into motherhood was a pregnancy loss, it seemed grossly misplaced. (I might understand if the rest of the book was a chronological account of her journey into motherhood, but it isn’t.) I can almost guarantee you that grieving mothers aren’t reading this book, so it sounds to me like the author doesn’t know her audience right off the bat.
My most petty reason for not liking this book is the way she refers to her husband only as “the builder.” It’s like she’s trying to be as vague as possible when talking about her life and it made the book completely unrelatable to me.
There are a lot of books on motherhood out there. I wish I would have skipped this one.
A book entitled “Why Motherhood Matters” seemed like it might address a few of those questions. Unfortunately, this book is merely a how to guide on raising children, and not a very good one at that.
The writing in this book only becomes coherent in part 3 (halfway through). Before that it is a bunch of disjointed stories compiled with the author’s thoughts on whatever point she is trying to make.
I had an especially hard time getting into a book on why motherhood matters when she opened with the story of her loss in a chapter entitled “everyone else is having a baby and I’m not.” Even as someone whose initiation into motherhood was a pregnancy loss, it seemed grossly misplaced. (I might understand if the rest of the book was a chronological account of her journey into motherhood, but it isn’t.) I can almost guarantee you that grieving mothers aren’t reading this book, so it sounds to me like the author doesn’t know her audience right off the bat.
My most petty reason for not liking this book is the way she refers to her husband only as “the builder.” It’s like she’s trying to be as vague as possible when talking about her life and it made the book completely unrelatable to me.
There are a lot of books on motherhood out there. I wish I would have skipped this one.
August 29, 2017
This is one of my favorite books. September is so open about her personal experiences both happy and sad in this book about Why Motherhood Matters. Sometimes as moms we wonder why this job matters so much because we may feel so underappreciated. We often wonder if what we do matters to our husband, our kids or even God. Especially finding our place in ministry and our gifts and talents. This book is filled with stories from the authors own life, advice on what you can do in your own home and encouragement that we are not alone and we most certainly do matter. All the way down to the tiniest mundane chore we do at home that no one else probably notices. She stresses the importance of having God in our marriage and our mothering. She has 10 children from adults to toddlers and I have really enjoyed reading her words about her life, her children and her struggles as a mother and as a daughter of the King.
Every mom needs a pick me up and a little bit of encouragement. This is a great book for all mothers and it would be a great book to have at your moms book club too. It holds the potential to start up many good conversations amongst a gathering of Mamas.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Every mom needs a pick me up and a little bit of encouragement. This is a great book for all mothers and it would be a great book to have at your moms book club too. It holds the potential to start up many good conversations amongst a gathering of Mamas.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2017
It has been almost 2 weeks since my husband and I dropped our oldest child off at college. I knew it would be hard, yet I never knew how hard. The entire drive home I kept running through her 19 years and wondering what have I missed? What did I fail to teach her that she needs to know? What did I miss in praying over her? What gaps did I leave? Will she remember to call on Him?
In her new book {Why} Motherhood Matters, September McCarthy tells us:
I realize I cannot be everything my children need. Unless I give them a daily dose of the living, breathing God in their life, when the day comes that I cannot be there or fix something, they won't know to rely on God first. Even before me. I am going to pray over my children's lives for a deep faith that is rooted in places I cannot reach, and that my faith will be strong enough to know He is enough for my children.
No matter how intentional we are in raising our children and teaching them about the Father, our first duty is to give them that daily dose of God. That means that we have to live for Him. We have to turn to Him, praise Him, serve Him. The second thing we need to do is pray for them.
September's book, {Why} Motherhood Matters, is available today. This book is for moms in all seasons and from all walks. Pick up a copy today and see just why motherhood matters.
In her new book {Why} Motherhood Matters, September McCarthy tells us:
I realize I cannot be everything my children need. Unless I give them a daily dose of the living, breathing God in their life, when the day comes that I cannot be there or fix something, they won't know to rely on God first. Even before me. I am going to pray over my children's lives for a deep faith that is rooted in places I cannot reach, and that my faith will be strong enough to know He is enough for my children.
No matter how intentional we are in raising our children and teaching them about the Father, our first duty is to give them that daily dose of God. That means that we have to live for Him. We have to turn to Him, praise Him, serve Him. The second thing we need to do is pray for them.
September's book, {Why} Motherhood Matters, is available today. This book is for moms in all seasons and from all walks. Pick up a copy today and see just why motherhood matters.
November 17, 2023
I’ll start with I love hearing September on podcasts, so I was looking forward to this book.
I loved the first three-quarters of the book - full of encouragement.
Then I found it got a bit ‘preachy’ and I didn’t like the tone of it. I didn’t agree on some topics, where the author places higher importance on things I don’t and vice versa, which is totally fine and God gives us grace to parent how we wish, using the Bible as our source of truth for the non-negotiable, essential things which we must do as Christian parents.
I really disagreed with the chapter on ‘Can’t means won’t’. When I watch my daughter struggle with something and say she “can’t”, I won’t shame her in front of all her family and say that “can’t means won’t”.
Also, in the ending chapter, September states she suffers from the guilt of comparison. Yet, in the book she says “I see Mothers…” and states how they are often wrong and she is correct. This is comparison which all us Mothers can do without. I am being convicted by God constantly to not judge or compare to other Mothers, especially those we see in shops, gatherings etc as we are only seeing a teeny snippet of their day, but to seek God’s role and guidance instead.
The author refers to God a lot, but didn’t use a lot of scripture to back it up. However, there were a few good snippets throughout.
I loved the first three-quarters of the book - full of encouragement.
Then I found it got a bit ‘preachy’ and I didn’t like the tone of it. I didn’t agree on some topics, where the author places higher importance on things I don’t and vice versa, which is totally fine and God gives us grace to parent how we wish, using the Bible as our source of truth for the non-negotiable, essential things which we must do as Christian parents.
I really disagreed with the chapter on ‘Can’t means won’t’. When I watch my daughter struggle with something and say she “can’t”, I won’t shame her in front of all her family and say that “can’t means won’t”.
Also, in the ending chapter, September states she suffers from the guilt of comparison. Yet, in the book she says “I see Mothers…” and states how they are often wrong and she is correct. This is comparison which all us Mothers can do without. I am being convicted by God constantly to not judge or compare to other Mothers, especially those we see in shops, gatherings etc as we are only seeing a teeny snippet of their day, but to seek God’s role and guidance instead.
The author refers to God a lot, but didn’t use a lot of scripture to back it up. However, there were a few good snippets throughout.
September 1, 2017
When you are in the trenches of motherhood, you may wonder if what you are doing matters. And the answer is yes, it DOES matter. September McCarthy writes in a thoughtful and purposeful way that speaks from her years of being in the motherhood trenches. She invites you into her book like a wise older sister who has made the mistakes in raising up kids and is now passing on her wisdom from her experiences. Never condescending, September makes you feel that she is cheering you on, chapter by chapter. I found her advice on teaching biblical principles relevant and I enjoyed her anecdote on how even if you maybe a stay at home mom, your ministry can expand beyond your doors. And your kids can enjoy the ride. Why Motherhood Matters puts it in perspective: You are chosen for this unique and hard working calling and what you are doing does matter.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
September 1, 2017
Why Motherhood Matters has brought so much encouragement to me. On those days when we fail in putting our best self forward, it’s good to be reminded of God’s grace in helping us make it through the day and growing through it. September gives great encouragement and practical ways to move us forward in raising our children and loving our children well. I love how the author, September, shares her personal stories and hard spots in mothering. Her own experiences and growth in these areas gives great encouragement to mothers like me who are in the thick of it all. This is a great book for all mothers at any stage. September takes the reader all the way from pregnancy to kiddos leaving the nest. In a culture that doesn’t always acknowledge the important role that mothers play, this book encourages and lays out the reasons why motherhood matters!
September 1, 2017
Authentic, transparent, reverent - just a few words descriptive of this mama’s heart. Laughter, tears, awe -the emotions, impressions that you’ll experience as you walk with her through the highs and lows of her journey. Encouraging, inspiring, practical -the steps she lays out as an offering, a life’s work dedicated to raising God-honoring children. Proof that, when you seek Him and His wisdom, He is faithful to meet you right where you are.
If you’ve questioned your ability, compared yourself to other mothers, asked yourself, ‘Does it really even matter,’ September McCarthy has answered those questions beautifully. She reassures you that He has indeed qualified you, uniquely gifted you, and shows the import, the magnitude of {WHY} MOTHERHOOD MATTERS.
*I did receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
If you’ve questioned your ability, compared yourself to other mothers, asked yourself, ‘Does it really even matter,’ September McCarthy has answered those questions beautifully. She reassures you that He has indeed qualified you, uniquely gifted you, and shows the import, the magnitude of {WHY} MOTHERHOOD MATTERS.
*I did receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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June 4, 2025*Audio Only* — Due to the format of being broken down into individual principles, it makes it easily digestible, but reading continuously clunky. And while I didn’t need to be convinced on the overarching idea of motherhood mattering, the question lists, Parenting Principles, and prayers at the end of each chapter are solid, convicting, and thought-provoking.
January 31, 2020
My sister asked me to read this because she recently did and enjoyed it. I found some things helpful/ stretching.
I struggled at times with the author's attitude of herself. A line in the book said, "your children will only grow as far as you lead them." That seems pretty arrogant to me. Mothers are not the only good role models for a child, fathers, God, teachers, safe friends can all edify and teach as well.
I may have been reading into things too much, or this may have just not been for me, at this point in my life.
I struggled at times with the author's attitude of herself. A line in the book said, "your children will only grow as far as you lead them." That seems pretty arrogant to me. Mothers are not the only good role models for a child, fathers, God, teachers, safe friends can all edify and teach as well.
I may have been reading into things too much, or this may have just not been for me, at this point in my life.
February 3, 2020
I appreciated this book, especially for her thoughts on serving with your children
July 15, 2019
One of the best parenting books I've ever read thanks to the gospel saturation and plentiful scripture references while being extremely practical at the same time. Feels like sitting down across a cup of coffee with a friend who is further along in her parenting journey who is sharing hr thoughts, challenges and rebukes in a loving manner. Applicable to all parenting stages and a book I'll revisit often.
I read a library copy and jotted down these notes to remember, but I'm getting my own copy ASAP to read again and mark up as I go.
p. 27 Writing about her grief losing her first child, "We do not need to suffer great loss to realize that God has a great plan for our lives. We need to embrace the hope that His plan is perfect, and surrender our own.... It is humbling to realize that motherhood is my poured-out offering and not just a gift of receiving.... While every bit of us holds onto home for a blessing in motherhood, it becomes a spiritual journey of giving back and letting go."
p. 32 "Why do we wait to feel overwhelmed before we do something about it? Women tend to put others' needs before their own, and in the end, it backfires, causing us to resent our investment and the tiresome result. We talked earlier about being sowers, but God has also called us to be seekers. We are to be intentional in noticing and reaching out to the other women in our lives. ...We are called to ask for help. There should be no shame in the plea. Your overwhelmed is God's opportunity to amaze you. Let Him fill your cup so you can overflow into another women's life just the same. I want you to know the peace that can come at the end of the longest day motherhood will ever throw at you."
p. 35 Overwhelmed Does Not Have to Be Your Middle Name
Life-Speaking Truths
p. 49 "Run from the entanglement of comparison. I refuse to make motherhood about me. I refuse to compare myself to other women. I refuse to take the credit for what God is doing. Comparison builds walls. We should build bridges."
p. 66 I love this chapter on finding each child's love language and speaking love this way.
"Our aim in motherhood is not to raise a cookie-cutter image of our likeness with our interests and the personality trait that suits us best. We o not want to raise a robot child, whose only aim when they grow up is to please us and to live under the pressure of meeting the standards of love that we might expect."
p. 75 "Love will always trump conflict. You can raise children who love one another well, but they should know what love is and what it looks like. Don't expect them o just wake up one day and know. It takes work that will require plenty of sweat and tears from you... Love cannot reside where selfishness is rooted."
p. 76 "Mothers have the power to shift and stabilize the atmosphere of their families and can turn a day right side up or upside down. ... Mothers are mood makers, and it is our job to set the tone in the lives of those we are given to steward. It may be daunting, but it is truly a gift."
p. 88 Talking about the importance of loving and serving your spouse first over the children.
Loving Together Checklist
1. Am I functioning off my own to-do list daily?
2. Have we lost our vision as a couple?
3. Kiss every day. In front of the children.
4. Do we communicate about our needs and desires more than business as usual?
5. Are we working as a team in our parenting?
6. Go to bed together at the same time.
7. Always say I'm sorry in current time.
8. Remember that we are both changing. Learn to love the new.
9. Never stop talking.
10. Be available to each other at all times.
p. 92 "... the important question for ourselves and our families is this: How will my actions affect someone else? They need to remember that their actions and attitudes affect other people. ... Teaching your children responsibility will transform your home into a culture void of entitlement."
p. 104 in the chapter on hope and help for a yelling mom... "You have a mighty, powerful God who can take your triggers and turn them into beautiful responses." I love the Taking the Steps list on p 104-105.
p. 108 "For every little part of your child's life you try to own and fix for them, you are taking away something from the work and worth of God in their lives. Get rid of the guilt over not being enough. He is enough. Get out of God's way.... I could get over the feeling that I wasn't doing enough for my kids. And then, I realized, there is a formula for that. But it was created long before I came along. The gospel."
p. 110 The singular job description today for mothers: Loving your children well. "Loving your children without the compulsion or expectation to fill their happiness tank."
"Raising children to be unselfish can be one of the most unnatural lessons for mothers to lean. Our hearts are included to make them happy and to love without boundaries. We mistakenly confuse correction with holding something back from our children."
p. 125 "There is not greater sacrifice you can make for your children in this world than to pray over their lives every single day." "Our job is too important to trust our own decisions alone, especially when we are in the thick of emotional moments."
p. 138 "Let's consider the seriousness of making our faith so real to our children, it becomes their lifeline. Mothers worry: what will they do when something comes into their lives (and many things will) that will take them away from teaching their children or being there for them? God fills in the gaps. He does. But we want our kids to know who He is before that inevitable day arrives."
p. 141 "Here's the reality we need to check in with every day: Your motherhood and the use of your time need to fit your personal life. The joy a woman feels when she has created a schedule, a balance, and a purpose for her family is monumental." Put off and put on.
p. 145-147 are scripture passages for mom's in various trials/spaces.
p. 179 "Mama, there is a difference between speaking to our children about their behavior and addressing and correcting it. A change in behavior will require time, intervention, explanation of why a behavior is inappropriate, and teaching how to change. ... Unless the root of a problem is traced back to the heart, you will see the behavior pop back up time and again, because roots can grow deep."
p. 181 "There is no greater relief to a parent then to relinquish control and ownership over a problem our child has that we feel we cannot fix. His Word holds so many promises and so much wisdom. There is no greater gift to give you children than to hid God's Word in their hearts."
p. 182 "Knowledge is vital. But knowledge without love and application is empty. Knowledge puffs up and will leave us void of change and conviction. If we don't know God and how He is, our lives will lead to destruction. When we know God an dour knowledge is paired with His love, then it will bear fruit."
p. 195 "We are inclined to desire instant gratification. ...So take hope and know that as the hardest days hit you full-on, you can learn the habit of thinking forward and acting, rather than reacting, so your own future will seem more doable."
p. 199 In the We Don't want to Raise Robots chapter these Taking the Steps points were convicting and helpful.
1. We can begin by getting to know our children... To truly know them, we need to engage in conversations with them, spending time together, asking questions, serving them, giving them God, and tending to their hears. Let's remember that the way our children bend I not to be swayed by our preferences, but by God's principles."
2. We will need to identify our purpose in all that we do. ... if our children's responses to our instruction are to be respectful and timely, it is our job to remember that our expectations should meet a higher standard and not have selfish, unrealistic gain attached. We are accountable to God with our words and rules. Let's raise children who are sensitive to His Word and be careful to avoid conformity."
p. 203 "The number one parenting principle overlooked daily in most homes is this: Parenting in the conflict is never effective. It is the daily, moment-by-moment training before the moment of conflict arises that has an eternal impact."
p. 204 "Our responses should be weighted with facts and feelings, not our sole opinions or demands. Let's lean on the side of grace. Our responses can be given with a brief explanation rather than the two-letter word that can turn their ears off before we give our reason. Sometimes you do not owe your child a reason and obedience is required in the moment, but discretion is important. Wisdom will balance our responses, and our why will be respected."
p. 211 "Our children's weaknesses are to be handled with love and grace. There is a balance between building them up and not pointing out weaknesses with a harshness that will stifle their growth. Their weaknesses are the very things that will make them strong."
p. 213 Taking the Steps list from the chapter Can't Means Won't, So Do the Hard Things
Give your children the tools to do the hard things for God:
1. Identify their identity in Christ and their gifts from God.
2. Awaken their hearts and minds to their potential.
3. Find outlets for them to put their gifts to good use.
4. Pray scripture and God's truth over them.
5. Teach your children what sacrifice is, for hard things do not come easily.
6. Train your children to be diligent and consistent.
7. Give your children the gift of communication. Teach them how to use their words wisely.
8. Always come back to the why of their strengths.
9. Cheer on excellence and not perfection.
10. Pray for humility: Character training will be the biggest factor in helping your children thrive in their strengths.
11. Require practice over laziness.
12. Model balance and perseverance.
13. Encourage them to serve with their strengths.
14. Teach your children to seek and praise the Giver and not the gifts.
15. Don't be afraid to believe God has a big plan for your child.
16. Pray with your children over their weaknesses and their strengths.
17. Remind them that can't means won't.
p. 219 Regarding parenting through tough questions, " Be there when they ask the questions; do it together and learn together... But, mama, do not allow fear of a touchy subject, a scary outcome, or an uncomfortable topic keep you from being real, raw, and open with your kiddos. Your example of honesty, humility, and hope in any situation is the bottom-line life lesson they will walk away with."
"I am challenged daily to raise truth seekers and not opinion followers. We are raising generations today."
p. 222 "Easier is not better. Motherhood will teach you this, and it will also offer you and amazing relationship based on communication and honesty with your kids. do the hard things, mama, and do them now, before the opinions your kids hear beat you to the punch."
p. 223 "When did we become so considerate of our children's privacy or comfort that we stopped asking questions, giving them the truth without fear, and approaching them with questions that may feel like a wedge, but in the end are really expressions of love in all its glory? This kind of love will never come naturally to us until we realize our bent toward comfort and convenience, and then lean in to the real and the raw of our lives."
p. 224 "Let's be careful to answer our children with both our tone and our reason in tune with our purpose. We are to be for them and not our own agenda."
p. 230 "...our children will reap what we choose to sow into their lives. ... it is serious business to raise responsible children ... Our children need a moral compass, structure, ownership, and accountability; we cannot count on their child minds to make wise choices on their own. As independent or intelligent as you are raising them to be, responsibility comes from hard work, accountability and follow-through."
p. 233 "Your love should never excuse our children from accountability or responsibility. As with everything we incorporate into the culture of our homes, we must find a balance laced with grace. When we teach our children commitment to a work ethic, responsibility for their time and actions, and accountability to authority and their surroundings, we will reap nd adult who has a grateful spirit and who values integrity and hard work. Responsibly needs to be taught and not caught."
p. 241 "Obedience is an external action of the heart. ... Obedience is an external reaction to a well-tended heart grown in respect and honor."
My Parenting Principle in the Chapter You Don't Need t Count to Three
"First-time obedience is not a manipulative means to get my way. I believe it is a symptom of the heart, and it is my job as a mother to nurture respect, honor, and joyful obedience in my children. When I focus on externals only, my child will grow in resentment and misunderstanding of obedience and will never embrace the godly motivation for obedience. I will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as I work with my children in character growth, so that I may not show hypocrisy in my actions and my heart will grow tender to the learning process and struggles they may have."
p. 250 "Motherhood is defined by surrender. I chose to surrender my other hood to fear, comparison or to the trap of discouragement or pride. ... Let God have your motherhood, and He will give you the joy and the reason you have been searching for. It will be contagious and flow over and into every area of training, teaching, and living you do with your children. ... Don't be afraid to tell someone your struggles, and let God have the glory in the repairs. He is the ultimate reason why motherhood matters."
I read a library copy and jotted down these notes to remember, but I'm getting my own copy ASAP to read again and mark up as I go.
p. 27 Writing about her grief losing her first child, "We do not need to suffer great loss to realize that God has a great plan for our lives. We need to embrace the hope that His plan is perfect, and surrender our own.... It is humbling to realize that motherhood is my poured-out offering and not just a gift of receiving.... While every bit of us holds onto home for a blessing in motherhood, it becomes a spiritual journey of giving back and letting go."
p. 32 "Why do we wait to feel overwhelmed before we do something about it? Women tend to put others' needs before their own, and in the end, it backfires, causing us to resent our investment and the tiresome result. We talked earlier about being sowers, but God has also called us to be seekers. We are to be intentional in noticing and reaching out to the other women in our lives. ...We are called to ask for help. There should be no shame in the plea. Your overwhelmed is God's opportunity to amaze you. Let Him fill your cup so you can overflow into another women's life just the same. I want you to know the peace that can come at the end of the longest day motherhood will ever throw at you."
p. 35 Overwhelmed Does Not Have to Be Your Middle Name
Life-Speaking Truths
p. 49 "Run from the entanglement of comparison. I refuse to make motherhood about me. I refuse to compare myself to other women. I refuse to take the credit for what God is doing. Comparison builds walls. We should build bridges."
p. 66 I love this chapter on finding each child's love language and speaking love this way.
"Our aim in motherhood is not to raise a cookie-cutter image of our likeness with our interests and the personality trait that suits us best. We o not want to raise a robot child, whose only aim when they grow up is to please us and to live under the pressure of meeting the standards of love that we might expect."
p. 75 "Love will always trump conflict. You can raise children who love one another well, but they should know what love is and what it looks like. Don't expect them o just wake up one day and know. It takes work that will require plenty of sweat and tears from you... Love cannot reside where selfishness is rooted."
p. 76 "Mothers have the power to shift and stabilize the atmosphere of their families and can turn a day right side up or upside down. ... Mothers are mood makers, and it is our job to set the tone in the lives of those we are given to steward. It may be daunting, but it is truly a gift."
p. 88 Talking about the importance of loving and serving your spouse first over the children.
Loving Together Checklist
1. Am I functioning off my own to-do list daily?
2. Have we lost our vision as a couple?
3. Kiss every day. In front of the children.
4. Do we communicate about our needs and desires more than business as usual?
5. Are we working as a team in our parenting?
6. Go to bed together at the same time.
7. Always say I'm sorry in current time.
8. Remember that we are both changing. Learn to love the new.
9. Never stop talking.
10. Be available to each other at all times.
p. 92 "... the important question for ourselves and our families is this: How will my actions affect someone else? They need to remember that their actions and attitudes affect other people. ... Teaching your children responsibility will transform your home into a culture void of entitlement."
p. 104 in the chapter on hope and help for a yelling mom... "You have a mighty, powerful God who can take your triggers and turn them into beautiful responses." I love the Taking the Steps list on p 104-105.
p. 108 "For every little part of your child's life you try to own and fix for them, you are taking away something from the work and worth of God in their lives. Get rid of the guilt over not being enough. He is enough. Get out of God's way.... I could get over the feeling that I wasn't doing enough for my kids. And then, I realized, there is a formula for that. But it was created long before I came along. The gospel."
p. 110 The singular job description today for mothers: Loving your children well. "Loving your children without the compulsion or expectation to fill their happiness tank."
"Raising children to be unselfish can be one of the most unnatural lessons for mothers to lean. Our hearts are included to make them happy and to love without boundaries. We mistakenly confuse correction with holding something back from our children."
p. 125 "There is not greater sacrifice you can make for your children in this world than to pray over their lives every single day." "Our job is too important to trust our own decisions alone, especially when we are in the thick of emotional moments."
p. 138 "Let's consider the seriousness of making our faith so real to our children, it becomes their lifeline. Mothers worry: what will they do when something comes into their lives (and many things will) that will take them away from teaching their children or being there for them? God fills in the gaps. He does. But we want our kids to know who He is before that inevitable day arrives."
p. 141 "Here's the reality we need to check in with every day: Your motherhood and the use of your time need to fit your personal life. The joy a woman feels when she has created a schedule, a balance, and a purpose for her family is monumental." Put off and put on.
p. 145-147 are scripture passages for mom's in various trials/spaces.
p. 179 "Mama, there is a difference between speaking to our children about their behavior and addressing and correcting it. A change in behavior will require time, intervention, explanation of why a behavior is inappropriate, and teaching how to change. ... Unless the root of a problem is traced back to the heart, you will see the behavior pop back up time and again, because roots can grow deep."
p. 181 "There is no greater relief to a parent then to relinquish control and ownership over a problem our child has that we feel we cannot fix. His Word holds so many promises and so much wisdom. There is no greater gift to give you children than to hid God's Word in their hearts."
p. 182 "Knowledge is vital. But knowledge without love and application is empty. Knowledge puffs up and will leave us void of change and conviction. If we don't know God and how He is, our lives will lead to destruction. When we know God an dour knowledge is paired with His love, then it will bear fruit."
p. 195 "We are inclined to desire instant gratification. ...So take hope and know that as the hardest days hit you full-on, you can learn the habit of thinking forward and acting, rather than reacting, so your own future will seem more doable."
p. 199 In the We Don't want to Raise Robots chapter these Taking the Steps points were convicting and helpful.
1. We can begin by getting to know our children... To truly know them, we need to engage in conversations with them, spending time together, asking questions, serving them, giving them God, and tending to their hears. Let's remember that the way our children bend I not to be swayed by our preferences, but by God's principles."
2. We will need to identify our purpose in all that we do. ... if our children's responses to our instruction are to be respectful and timely, it is our job to remember that our expectations should meet a higher standard and not have selfish, unrealistic gain attached. We are accountable to God with our words and rules. Let's raise children who are sensitive to His Word and be careful to avoid conformity."
p. 203 "The number one parenting principle overlooked daily in most homes is this: Parenting in the conflict is never effective. It is the daily, moment-by-moment training before the moment of conflict arises that has an eternal impact."
p. 204 "Our responses should be weighted with facts and feelings, not our sole opinions or demands. Let's lean on the side of grace. Our responses can be given with a brief explanation rather than the two-letter word that can turn their ears off before we give our reason. Sometimes you do not owe your child a reason and obedience is required in the moment, but discretion is important. Wisdom will balance our responses, and our why will be respected."
p. 211 "Our children's weaknesses are to be handled with love and grace. There is a balance between building them up and not pointing out weaknesses with a harshness that will stifle their growth. Their weaknesses are the very things that will make them strong."
p. 213 Taking the Steps list from the chapter Can't Means Won't, So Do the Hard Things
Give your children the tools to do the hard things for God:
1. Identify their identity in Christ and their gifts from God.
2. Awaken their hearts and minds to their potential.
3. Find outlets for them to put their gifts to good use.
4. Pray scripture and God's truth over them.
5. Teach your children what sacrifice is, for hard things do not come easily.
6. Train your children to be diligent and consistent.
7. Give your children the gift of communication. Teach them how to use their words wisely.
8. Always come back to the why of their strengths.
9. Cheer on excellence and not perfection.
10. Pray for humility: Character training will be the biggest factor in helping your children thrive in their strengths.
11. Require practice over laziness.
12. Model balance and perseverance.
13. Encourage them to serve with their strengths.
14. Teach your children to seek and praise the Giver and not the gifts.
15. Don't be afraid to believe God has a big plan for your child.
16. Pray with your children over their weaknesses and their strengths.
17. Remind them that can't means won't.
p. 219 Regarding parenting through tough questions, " Be there when they ask the questions; do it together and learn together... But, mama, do not allow fear of a touchy subject, a scary outcome, or an uncomfortable topic keep you from being real, raw, and open with your kiddos. Your example of honesty, humility, and hope in any situation is the bottom-line life lesson they will walk away with."
"I am challenged daily to raise truth seekers and not opinion followers. We are raising generations today."
p. 222 "Easier is not better. Motherhood will teach you this, and it will also offer you and amazing relationship based on communication and honesty with your kids. do the hard things, mama, and do them now, before the opinions your kids hear beat you to the punch."
p. 223 "When did we become so considerate of our children's privacy or comfort that we stopped asking questions, giving them the truth without fear, and approaching them with questions that may feel like a wedge, but in the end are really expressions of love in all its glory? This kind of love will never come naturally to us until we realize our bent toward comfort and convenience, and then lean in to the real and the raw of our lives."
p. 224 "Let's be careful to answer our children with both our tone and our reason in tune with our purpose. We are to be for them and not our own agenda."
p. 230 "...our children will reap what we choose to sow into their lives. ... it is serious business to raise responsible children ... Our children need a moral compass, structure, ownership, and accountability; we cannot count on their child minds to make wise choices on their own. As independent or intelligent as you are raising them to be, responsibility comes from hard work, accountability and follow-through."
p. 233 "Your love should never excuse our children from accountability or responsibility. As with everything we incorporate into the culture of our homes, we must find a balance laced with grace. When we teach our children commitment to a work ethic, responsibility for their time and actions, and accountability to authority and their surroundings, we will reap nd adult who has a grateful spirit and who values integrity and hard work. Responsibly needs to be taught and not caught."
p. 241 "Obedience is an external action of the heart. ... Obedience is an external reaction to a well-tended heart grown in respect and honor."
My Parenting Principle in the Chapter You Don't Need t Count to Three
"First-time obedience is not a manipulative means to get my way. I believe it is a symptom of the heart, and it is my job as a mother to nurture respect, honor, and joyful obedience in my children. When I focus on externals only, my child will grow in resentment and misunderstanding of obedience and will never embrace the godly motivation for obedience. I will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as I work with my children in character growth, so that I may not show hypocrisy in my actions and my heart will grow tender to the learning process and struggles they may have."
p. 250 "Motherhood is defined by surrender. I chose to surrender my other hood to fear, comparison or to the trap of discouragement or pride. ... Let God have your motherhood, and He will give you the joy and the reason you have been searching for. It will be contagious and flow over and into every area of training, teaching, and living you do with your children. ... Don't be afraid to tell someone your struggles, and let God have the glory in the repairs. He is the ultimate reason why motherhood matters."
August 30, 2017
I am so thankful for September and her wisdom and courage in being so open and real and raw about her journey in motherhood and life. It touched my heart so deeply and I would recommend it to any mother I would come in contact with!
July 1, 2020
While I found her writing style confusing at times, I really enjoyed the practical application sections offered in each chapter. Definitely a resource I hope to return to in future motherhood stages.
August 18, 2017
In "Why Motherhood Matters", September shares her heart, her experiences as a parent, offers truth to live by from God's Word and practical steps to take in order to see specific, parenting principles implemented.
As a wife and mother to 10 children, she knows that "A home is the foundation of our very essence and the beginning of who we become and where we go. When a family thrives with a heart of service and instills an others-oriented principle, those who enter, live, and leave will thrive in an environment of learning and service."
In the book "Why Motherhood Matters" she poses this question: "What is your foundation for training up diligence, hard work, perseverance, and cohesiveness in the heart of your home?"
Her reply is woven throughout the book as she shares her motherhood story, and her desperate need of God and His Word as her foundation to her parenting. At the end of each chapter, she highlights the key principles and draws the reader to the feet of Jesus, recommitting our parenting and specific areas of growth to Him.
September's style of writing is like sitting next to her on her family's front porch and being blessed with her wisdom and friendship. I recommend this book for any mom in need of encouragement to know that you do not need to parent alone, to learn practical steps in order to implement key principles, and to be reminded that you, mom, matter!
I received a complimentary review copy by the publisher and author as a part of the launch team. This review is my honest opinion.
As a wife and mother to 10 children, she knows that "A home is the foundation of our very essence and the beginning of who we become and where we go. When a family thrives with a heart of service and instills an others-oriented principle, those who enter, live, and leave will thrive in an environment of learning and service."
In the book "Why Motherhood Matters" she poses this question: "What is your foundation for training up diligence, hard work, perseverance, and cohesiveness in the heart of your home?"
Her reply is woven throughout the book as she shares her motherhood story, and her desperate need of God and His Word as her foundation to her parenting. At the end of each chapter, she highlights the key principles and draws the reader to the feet of Jesus, recommitting our parenting and specific areas of growth to Him.
September's style of writing is like sitting next to her on her family's front porch and being blessed with her wisdom and friendship. I recommend this book for any mom in need of encouragement to know that you do not need to parent alone, to learn practical steps in order to implement key principles, and to be reminded that you, mom, matter!
I received a complimentary review copy by the publisher and author as a part of the launch team. This review is my honest opinion.
August 22, 2017
This book...tears, smiles, and sighs about sums it up for me. September McCarthy does a fantastic job of coming along side you through her words. Encouraging you, giving you tips, hope, and a healthy dose of reality, all served up with the singular truth that we can NOT do motherhood alone. We need God.
Her writing is pleasing and and easy to digest, without making you feel that you are a lost cause. I'm planning on buying a bunch more to share with friends. Every mother, no matter what season, needs this book.
Her writing is pleasing and and easy to digest, without making you feel that you are a lost cause. I'm planning on buying a bunch more to share with friends. Every mother, no matter what season, needs this book.
August 29, 2017
This book has quickly become one of my top recommendations for moms to read. I have just finished reading it and wow - it's a wonderful read. Incredibly encouraging for moms in all stages, September is a seasoned mom and comes at life with a very right focus and has endeavored to share her heart and soul quite openly in her own struggles and how she has grown as a mom and addresses well that thought we all have in the mundane everyday of life wondering if it really matters. Walking through a wide variety of parenting, marriage and personal growth topics, challenges and answering the classic question of "why" - why am I doing this? This book has renewed my focus and given me great encouragement in own mothering journey.
{I was a gifted a copy to read and review but all thoughts are my own, and I have since bought several for friends so we can read through the book together!}
{I was a gifted a copy to read and review but all thoughts are my own, and I have since bought several for friends so we can read through the book together!}
August 8, 2017
This is a great book! Whether you're currently a mom with littles at home or you're in the season where your children have entered adulthood, or you're waiting for the day when you will have kids, you will find this to be a relevant, encouraging book filled with purpose and hope.
August 8, 2017
This book tugs at every mother-heartstring I have! September McCarthy elegantly weaves her wisdom with into every word she writes. My perspective has shifted, as well as my understanding of the purpose of my motherhood and heart. I want every momma to read this book!!!
August 9, 2017
Like a conversation with a dear Christian friend about motherhood. All those things I wish someone would have shared with me sooner. Honest, sincere truth from cover to cover...
October 18, 2017
This book almost reads like a journal. It's a collection of moments in the life of the author. All moments that together make up her motherhood journey. It's great and encouraging to read how mothers figure things out and learn and grow as time passes but I have a hard time learning from a book that places big emphasis on feelings. As a thinker I want more meat. I felt like it talked about God a whole lot but didn't reference scripture very much at all. I wanted more why from scripture and not why cuz the author said this worked for her. I want my motherhood to be what God wants it to be and how can I see how God wants it to be without looking to scripture for all things?
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 14, 2018
One of the best books on mothering that I've ever read. And I've read a lot of parenting books in my 25 yrs as a mom. Every mom needs to have a copy of this book!
July 12, 2017
September is a mother of ten children and has a 25 year long motherhood experience that she puts in this book, to help other mothers to find some joy in their parenthood and also to prepare them for countless challenges that awaits for them on the road of raising a family. The author remembers the beginnings of her motherhood-story, those moments when she experienced pregnancy loss and the death of her newborn baby daughter and when she asked herself will she ever become a mother, and also those moments when she had a feeling that motherhood suffocates her and that it would be a shame and a sign of defeat to ask someone for help.
The author, a wife of pastor's son, find her everyday comfort in her deep faith. She found some words of comfort for the life issues and everyday problems in God's Word and she writes about that in this book. That is the thing that makes this book, not only a mother's story about everyday life, but also a one-of-a-kind spiritual guide through the motherhood. Also, I would like to think about this book like a spiritual version of a planetary popular self-help manuals. I'm a religious person, but I also need to admit that I wouldn't take all of the advices from the book, not because I don't like them or I don't believe in them, but because I believe there are some differences between living a life here in Europe and the one that the author is living in America and some things are not so easy to apply here.
Every family shares some memories and has some interesting stories we are glad to remember from time to time, so it's not a surprise that September has a story for every challenge that she experienced in her motherhood. Personally, I like those stories more that the rest of the book, that has some kind of manual form, so I might prefer to have this book made only about these stories.
On the other hand, the perfectionist in me was overwhelmed with the visual identity of the book, same as it's organized appearances. What do I mean by that? First of all, having in mind that I'm still not a mother, (although, I participate in the children upbringing, privately and also through my life calling as an educator) it was the cover, so clean and minimalistic, and not the theme, that attracted me to this book in the first place. I know it sounds superficial, but the title and description were the next thing that help me made the decision to read the book.
Before I made this review too long to be interesting, I will cut to the chase and tell my final observation. This is the book that many mothers could use as a guide through the everyday life; the window to other mother's lives and finding comfort in a fact that they are not the only ones fighting the negative side effects of motherhood, those things that go along the other, more beautiful side of being a mother. Also, I read this book in two days and I believe it's not a right way to read this kind of literature. You should read it in your time of rest or in the moments when you're faced with challenges. This is a book about women strength, but also about the difficulties they face every day. To be short, this is a manual you could use in the moments your motherhood faces the challenge you did not expect and you were not prepared for.
The author, a wife of pastor's son, find her everyday comfort in her deep faith. She found some words of comfort for the life issues and everyday problems in God's Word and she writes about that in this book. That is the thing that makes this book, not only a mother's story about everyday life, but also a one-of-a-kind spiritual guide through the motherhood. Also, I would like to think about this book like a spiritual version of a planetary popular self-help manuals. I'm a religious person, but I also need to admit that I wouldn't take all of the advices from the book, not because I don't like them or I don't believe in them, but because I believe there are some differences between living a life here in Europe and the one that the author is living in America and some things are not so easy to apply here.
Every family shares some memories and has some interesting stories we are glad to remember from time to time, so it's not a surprise that September has a story for every challenge that she experienced in her motherhood. Personally, I like those stories more that the rest of the book, that has some kind of manual form, so I might prefer to have this book made only about these stories.
On the other hand, the perfectionist in me was overwhelmed with the visual identity of the book, same as it's organized appearances. What do I mean by that? First of all, having in mind that I'm still not a mother, (although, I participate in the children upbringing, privately and also through my life calling as an educator) it was the cover, so clean and minimalistic, and not the theme, that attracted me to this book in the first place. I know it sounds superficial, but the title and description were the next thing that help me made the decision to read the book.
Before I made this review too long to be interesting, I will cut to the chase and tell my final observation. This is the book that many mothers could use as a guide through the everyday life; the window to other mother's lives and finding comfort in a fact that they are not the only ones fighting the negative side effects of motherhood, those things that go along the other, more beautiful side of being a mother. Also, I read this book in two days and I believe it's not a right way to read this kind of literature. You should read it in your time of rest or in the moments when you're faced with challenges. This is a book about women strength, but also about the difficulties they face every day. To be short, this is a manual you could use in the moments your motherhood faces the challenge you did not expect and you were not prepared for.
August 30, 2017
{Why} Motherhood Matters is a book every single mom needs to read and reference many times over during their journey through all the hills, valleys, highs, lows and stages of motherhood! If I could afford to gift every single mom in my life with their own copy, I would--it's that good (I did buy a few to bless friends).
September writes in such a way that makes you feel as if you are sitting beside her, listening to her story and lessons learned in her 26 year motherhood journey. She is the mentor and friend every mom wishes she had to help navigate through motherhood and to speak truth in our days. Every single word on every single page spoke directly to my heart. It is as if she knew exactly where I'm at in my personal motherhood journey and just what I needed to hear to know that I'm doing the hard, yet faithful work by staying home to care for my 4 children. The days are most definitely long and mundane, but September reminds us that we are doing Godly work and that it is far more valuable than any other work.
Just a few quotes to share from the book.
"Motherhood may feel like a sprint, but it is a slow, careful run to the biggest victory plan ever. Roadblocks and defeat will surely come, but He wants us to come forth as gold." ~September McCarthy
"Love begins in the home. If you cannot love your family well, then how will you love others?" ~ September McCarthy
"Mothers have the power to shift and stabilize the atmosphere of their families and can turn a day right side up or upside down." ~ September McCarthy
I filled up many pages of quotes and notes as I devoured the pages of this book. September not only shares her personal stories, but also includes practical advice, resources, parenting principles and prayers throughout the entire book. She writes about marriage, yelling, teaching responsibility, overwhelm, interrupting/whining, serving and much more.
This is a book I will be referring to frequently throughout the many stages of motherhood. It's not a book that you will read once and set aside or pass on to someone else. It is a book that you will reach for on your most trying days to find hope, encouragement, truth and inspiration to be the best mom for your kids and to bring the joy into the everyday.
I can't recommend this book enough. Buy a copy for yourself and some more to gift away. The perfect gift for blessing a brand new mom as well as a seasoned mom who is in the trenches and really struggling. It is for every mom in between as well.
I was blessed with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September writes in such a way that makes you feel as if you are sitting beside her, listening to her story and lessons learned in her 26 year motherhood journey. She is the mentor and friend every mom wishes she had to help navigate through motherhood and to speak truth in our days. Every single word on every single page spoke directly to my heart. It is as if she knew exactly where I'm at in my personal motherhood journey and just what I needed to hear to know that I'm doing the hard, yet faithful work by staying home to care for my 4 children. The days are most definitely long and mundane, but September reminds us that we are doing Godly work and that it is far more valuable than any other work.
Just a few quotes to share from the book.
"Motherhood may feel like a sprint, but it is a slow, careful run to the biggest victory plan ever. Roadblocks and defeat will surely come, but He wants us to come forth as gold." ~September McCarthy
"Love begins in the home. If you cannot love your family well, then how will you love others?" ~ September McCarthy
"Mothers have the power to shift and stabilize the atmosphere of their families and can turn a day right side up or upside down." ~ September McCarthy
I filled up many pages of quotes and notes as I devoured the pages of this book. September not only shares her personal stories, but also includes practical advice, resources, parenting principles and prayers throughout the entire book. She writes about marriage, yelling, teaching responsibility, overwhelm, interrupting/whining, serving and much more.
This is a book I will be referring to frequently throughout the many stages of motherhood. It's not a book that you will read once and set aside or pass on to someone else. It is a book that you will reach for on your most trying days to find hope, encouragement, truth and inspiration to be the best mom for your kids and to bring the joy into the everyday.
I can't recommend this book enough. Buy a copy for yourself and some more to gift away. The perfect gift for blessing a brand new mom as well as a seasoned mom who is in the trenches and really struggling. It is for every mom in between as well.
I was blessed with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2017
Why Motherhood Matters, the debut novel by September McCarthy, recognizes that being a mom is hard. It doesn’t give you simple answers that gloss over your pain, or judgmental platitudes that blanket complex issues. This book is like having a friend sit by your side through the journey, laughing with you in the face of your mistakes and holding your hand when you are broken with tears. McCarthy understands that mothering is tough and wants to encourage you to be the best mother you can be no matter what circumstances you face.
That is the essence of Why Motherhood Matters. McCarthy encourages women to stop worrying about their mess and draw near to Christ. It is through her own openness that she hopes to encourage others to help build up our children to be world changers and Kingdom builders . Whether you are the mother of a troublesome toddler or a moody teen, this book helps the reader look at creative ways to mother.
Why Motherhood Matters also reminds women that motherhood is not just a title; it is a calling and an investment in the lives of our children. This book invites the reader on a creative exploration of their personal journey as a mother. Using her own life as an example, McCarthy is open as she describes the pain of giving birth to her daughter who moments later breathed her last breath. She is honest in how she describes her transformation into the “Yelling mom”
This uplifting book stands out among the many motherhood books that are on the shelf because it does not stop at the traditional concept of motherhood. McCarthy also reminds the reader that God gifted every woman with “a mother’s heart” and we should be purposeful in how we use it. McCarthy speaks to all women — the woman who is suddenly faced with an unplanned pregnancy whose dreams seem to be fading away, to the woman with empty arms longing for a child.
That is the essence of Why Motherhood Matters. McCarthy encourages women to stop worrying about their mess and draw near to Christ. It is through her own openness that she hopes to encourage others to help build up our children to be world changers and Kingdom builders . Whether you are the mother of a troublesome toddler or a moody teen, this book helps the reader look at creative ways to mother.
Why Motherhood Matters also reminds women that motherhood is not just a title; it is a calling and an investment in the lives of our children. This book invites the reader on a creative exploration of their personal journey as a mother. Using her own life as an example, McCarthy is open as she describes the pain of giving birth to her daughter who moments later breathed her last breath. She is honest in how she describes her transformation into the “Yelling mom”
This uplifting book stands out among the many motherhood books that are on the shelf because it does not stop at the traditional concept of motherhood. McCarthy also reminds the reader that God gifted every woman with “a mother’s heart” and we should be purposeful in how we use it. McCarthy speaks to all women — the woman who is suddenly faced with an unplanned pregnancy whose dreams seem to be fading away, to the woman with empty arms longing for a child.
June 10, 2022
Why Motherhood Matters: An Invitation for Purposeful Parenting by September McCarthy
If you're a mom you have probably wondered if what you are doing really makes a difference. This book really gets into the deeper meaning of Motherhood. September has 10 kids and has homeschooled them all. Dry
It's not a how to book. It's not a step by step. But it is full of encouragement and ways September has found she can make her motherhood matter. She digs into the hard and the beautiful. She brings in Scripture and how we as mothers should be living it out so that we can be examples to our children.
If you have been a mom for 25+ years, a first time mom, want to be a mom, or anything else in-between; this book would be wonderful for you. It would make a great gift and or discussion for a group.
There are chapters on comparison;learning to love out spouses more than our kids; yelling moms, kids who interrupt, whine and complain; the sex talk; family devotions; and prayer.
There are also some triggers anyone reading should be aware of. September gets raw and honest about her fertility journey and the multiple miscarriages and still births she had. It's done in a gentle way and took so much courage to write.
The chapters are short and to the point, but after I read them, I wanted to go back and read them again. I'll probably be reading the book again before the year ends. I felt the heart of encouragement this book was meant to convey with every word.
You can buy this on Amazon or through September's shop at septemberandco.com. There is also a companion journal that goes along with it, but I have not used it.
If you choose to purchase through September's shop use the code *Reed10* for 10% off your purchases. (Affiliate) The store is amazing and has so many things for kids and homeschooling!!
If you have read this, let me know what you think!!! 👇
If you're a mom you have probably wondered if what you are doing really makes a difference. This book really gets into the deeper meaning of Motherhood. September has 10 kids and has homeschooled them all. Dry
It's not a how to book. It's not a step by step. But it is full of encouragement and ways September has found she can make her motherhood matter. She digs into the hard and the beautiful. She brings in Scripture and how we as mothers should be living it out so that we can be examples to our children.
If you have been a mom for 25+ years, a first time mom, want to be a mom, or anything else in-between; this book would be wonderful for you. It would make a great gift and or discussion for a group.
There are chapters on comparison;learning to love out spouses more than our kids; yelling moms, kids who interrupt, whine and complain; the sex talk; family devotions; and prayer.
There are also some triggers anyone reading should be aware of. September gets raw and honest about her fertility journey and the multiple miscarriages and still births she had. It's done in a gentle way and took so much courage to write.
The chapters are short and to the point, but after I read them, I wanted to go back and read them again. I'll probably be reading the book again before the year ends. I felt the heart of encouragement this book was meant to convey with every word.
You can buy this on Amazon or through September's shop at septemberandco.com. There is also a companion journal that goes along with it, but I have not used it.
If you choose to purchase through September's shop use the code *Reed10* for 10% off your purchases. (Affiliate) The store is amazing and has so many things for kids and homeschooling!!
If you have read this, let me know what you think!!! 👇
August 28, 2017
The title of this book caught my eye, although I wasn’t familiar with the author at all. It intrigued me, because I believe the importance of motherhood can easily be lost in the mundane actions of everyday life (which can definitely be true for me). I wanted to see how the author would show moms (and me) the importance of their jobs. This book did not disappoint me at all.
I feel like the book is really for all women, regardless of what stage of motherhood the woman is in. From the beginning when the author talks about anxiously waiting for motherhood, to the end when she mentions her grandchildren, and all the times in between when the author talks about the spirit of motherhood, even for those who may not have biological children, I think any woman can learn valuable lessons from this book.
For me personally, there have been several recommendations from the book that I have taken and incorporated into my life with my three children (ages 10 and under), all of which have made positive changes in my family.
There are so many great points in this book that I can’t list them all here. Some of my favorite chapters addressed issues such as: how detrimental comparison can be for mothers, how to love each of your children individually, how a mother can lead her family well, why our children should serve, and how to answer their tough questions. While the author seems to have plenty of experience in raising children and in motherhood, I didn’t feel as though this book was just another example of authors telling me to “do what I do.” Instead, I felt like this was a book that led me in Biblical instruction for motherhood, while the author used great examples from her own life. If you are a mother, want to be a mother, or have others you love dearly, I highly recommend you read this book.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. But then I gave a copy to my friend.
I feel like the book is really for all women, regardless of what stage of motherhood the woman is in. From the beginning when the author talks about anxiously waiting for motherhood, to the end when she mentions her grandchildren, and all the times in between when the author talks about the spirit of motherhood, even for those who may not have biological children, I think any woman can learn valuable lessons from this book.
For me personally, there have been several recommendations from the book that I have taken and incorporated into my life with my three children (ages 10 and under), all of which have made positive changes in my family.
There are so many great points in this book that I can’t list them all here. Some of my favorite chapters addressed issues such as: how detrimental comparison can be for mothers, how to love each of your children individually, how a mother can lead her family well, why our children should serve, and how to answer their tough questions. While the author seems to have plenty of experience in raising children and in motherhood, I didn’t feel as though this book was just another example of authors telling me to “do what I do.” Instead, I felt like this was a book that led me in Biblical instruction for motherhood, while the author used great examples from her own life. If you are a mother, want to be a mother, or have others you love dearly, I highly recommend you read this book.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. But then I gave a copy to my friend.
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