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Flex Mom: The Secrets of Happy Stay-at-Home Moms
You are grateful that you made the choice to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), but just a couple of years into it, you feel like you’re losing your mind. The alternative is going back to work, but that doesn’t seem right either.
This book is for mothers who want a third model of motherhood, somewhere between stay-at-home mom and working mom. This third way is to be the primary caregiver for your children while deliberately creating a path that fuels your passions – leaving you fulfilled and confident.
In this book, former stay-at-home mom Sara Blanchard draws on her experience
Described as a melting pot of positive psychology and coaching, with the humor and honesty of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, this book will help you make these fleeting childrearing years your best yet.
This book is for mothers who want a third model of motherhood, somewhere between stay-at-home mom and working mom. This third way is to be the primary caregiver for your children while deliberately creating a path that fuels your passions – leaving you fulfilled and confident.
In this book, former stay-at-home mom Sara Blanchard draws on her experience
Described as a melting pot of positive psychology and coaching, with the humor and honesty of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, this book will help you make these fleeting childrearing years your best yet.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2017
19 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 9, 2017
I really connected to Flex Mom. I 'm a stay at home working mom and Sara Blanchard, through Flex Mom, showed me that I can do it all. I can live my dreams, be a part of the adult community and be the mother I know my kids deserve. It's all about the balance.
July 21, 2017
While reading this book I kept thinking, "Ah, I'm not alone...I'm not the only mom who has done or said that..." Being a parent can be wonderful and trying, and Sara's own experiences, ideas, and tools were incredibly helpful. With little ones running around, finding time to read can be a challenge, but I flew through the book. It's a quick read. This is not a guide on how to be the best stay at home mom, but I consider it more of a menu of options to try and help you be your best. I highly recommend this book to any moms, not just stay at home moms. Great read!
March 13, 2017
A wonderful read!!!
I found this book so insightful. Even as a part-time working mom, the message resonated with me at a time when I am struggling to find a balance between my family, my work and my personal passions. Looking forward to putting flex-mom into action!
I found this book so insightful. Even as a part-time working mom, the message resonated with me at a time when I am struggling to find a balance between my family, my work and my personal passions. Looking forward to putting flex-mom into action!
April 12, 2021
Three sentence summary:
There's a third available option to women who feel that the dichotomous roles of 'stay at home mum' and 'working mum' don't resonate with them- and it's the flex mum! It has an acronym which I can't remember, but a flex mum is basically someone who is the primary caregiver of their child while also maintaining their identity as a person outside their mum role. Blanchard emphasises that it's not selfish to take time for yourself- yes even if you're a mother!- and gives practical ideas on how to lead a thriving life as a mother, suggesting things like mindfulness, alone time and passion projects.
And my thoughts:
A good book. I find the dominant narrative of motherhood really depressing- that as a mother you're destined to a life spent complaining about lack of sleep, sporting a messy bun and leggings and generally having no time/energy/eroticism/playfulness. Like really!? No. We can be thriving, nurturing, vibrant women as mothers. It's not one or the other.
Quite a simple book, nothing particularly groundbreaking but enjoyable nonetheless. I enjoyed the authors emphasis on a communicative and fun marriage. Her note on boundaries was a welcome reminder. I appreciated the reminder to consider technology habits. I think most people- not just mothers- would benefit from reconsidering that area of their life. I was glad she started by pointing out that certain foundations of health- sleep, diet, exercise, eroticism- were the things to get in place first. I was also pleasantly surprised by the sentence where she acknowledged that resentment leads to contempt which spells divorce. A very, very important thing to know.
There's a third available option to women who feel that the dichotomous roles of 'stay at home mum' and 'working mum' don't resonate with them- and it's the flex mum! It has an acronym which I can't remember, but a flex mum is basically someone who is the primary caregiver of their child while also maintaining their identity as a person outside their mum role. Blanchard emphasises that it's not selfish to take time for yourself- yes even if you're a mother!- and gives practical ideas on how to lead a thriving life as a mother, suggesting things like mindfulness, alone time and passion projects.
And my thoughts:
A good book. I find the dominant narrative of motherhood really depressing- that as a mother you're destined to a life spent complaining about lack of sleep, sporting a messy bun and leggings and generally having no time/energy/eroticism/playfulness. Like really!? No. We can be thriving, nurturing, vibrant women as mothers. It's not one or the other.
Quite a simple book, nothing particularly groundbreaking but enjoyable nonetheless. I enjoyed the authors emphasis on a communicative and fun marriage. Her note on boundaries was a welcome reminder. I appreciated the reminder to consider technology habits. I think most people- not just mothers- would benefit from reconsidering that area of their life. I was glad she started by pointing out that certain foundations of health- sleep, diet, exercise, eroticism- were the things to get in place first. I was also pleasantly surprised by the sentence where she acknowledged that resentment leads to contempt which spells divorce. A very, very important thing to know.
August 20, 2017
Reviewed for readers favorite
In Flex Moms author and life coach Sara Blanchard, tackles the sometimes toxic dichotomy of motherhood. Are you a Working Mom or a Stay at Home Mom? Instead she offers a third choice one that rightfully puts the focus on the mother herself instead of where she happens to be.
Enter Flex Moms!
This book is geared towards mothers looking for a middle gound, those looking to define what success means for them as a primary care giver while continuing to engage in her passions.
Flex Moms hopes to leave the reader with self confidence and the tools to seek fulfillment.
Each chapter encases a particular principle whether it's freeing yourself from judgement or examining your boundaries.
Blanchard does an excellent job of of helping the mom who feels like she's losing her mind to find it again.
I really enjoyed Flex Moms by Sara Blanchard despite the fact that I'm not a mom myself. So many things in this books can be applied to the passions of life in general whether they're in work or love. Geared toward motherhood she focuses on things like conflict resolution and communication but also emphasizes the need to focus on the self, the kind of maintainence that falls to the wayside after years of focusing solely on the children.
Filled with anecdotes from her own life Blanchard crafts a relatable and enlightening model that I'm certain women from all walks of life and whatever stage of motherhood will appreciate it.
In Flex Moms author and life coach Sara Blanchard, tackles the sometimes toxic dichotomy of motherhood. Are you a Working Mom or a Stay at Home Mom? Instead she offers a third choice one that rightfully puts the focus on the mother herself instead of where she happens to be.
Enter Flex Moms!
This book is geared towards mothers looking for a middle gound, those looking to define what success means for them as a primary care giver while continuing to engage in her passions.
Flex Moms hopes to leave the reader with self confidence and the tools to seek fulfillment.
Each chapter encases a particular principle whether it's freeing yourself from judgement or examining your boundaries.
Blanchard does an excellent job of of helping the mom who feels like she's losing her mind to find it again.
I really enjoyed Flex Moms by Sara Blanchard despite the fact that I'm not a mom myself. So many things in this books can be applied to the passions of life in general whether they're in work or love. Geared toward motherhood she focuses on things like conflict resolution and communication but also emphasizes the need to focus on the self, the kind of maintainence that falls to the wayside after years of focusing solely on the children.
Filled with anecdotes from her own life Blanchard crafts a relatable and enlightening model that I'm certain women from all walks of life and whatever stage of motherhood will appreciate it.
May 1, 2022
Great read. Lots of encouragement for those that are goal/personal growth chasers (like myself). You can still find purpose and fulfillment outside a “career” by investing some “space” in your day towards hobbies and other motivating initiatives outside of managing a household and picking kids up from school. It’s not one or the other, stay at home mom or career, it can be both depending on how you frame your time.
February 11, 2019
Helpful for SAHM Beginners
Being a SAHM myself and wanting a little more variety in my everyday, reading this book helped me realize different ways I could utilize my time, energy, resources, and passion to further my own goals without abandoning my caregiving priorities.
Being a SAHM myself and wanting a little more variety in my everyday, reading this book helped me realize different ways I could utilize my time, energy, resources, and passion to further my own goals without abandoning my caregiving priorities.
December 3, 2021
I feel like this book was okay. Some good points, but nothing really wow.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews