Imperfections are opportunities to receive God's unending strength.
No mother can live up to supermommy expectations. Thankfully, God isn't looking for perfection. He's calling on imperfect moms to be faithfully plugged into his superpowers.
In Unsupermommy, Maggie delves into expectations every new mom faces--for her baby, personal appearance, housekeeping, marriage, parenting, and more. She shares that by having three babies in three years God used the trenches of motherhood to transform her life, releasing her from the pressure of perfection. Her desire is to see discouraged moms freed from expectations prevalent in society, social media, blogs, and even our own hearts.
Maggie's candid motherhood story will inspire you to embrace your own imperfection as a means to receiving God's grace. You don't need to be a supermommy when you rely on a superpowered God.
Maggie Combs is passionate about helping moms recognize their imperfections as opportunities for God’s unending strength. She is a mom of three busy boys: Isaac, Zander, and Judah. She blames their unending energy and solid build completely on her tall, active husband, Wes. Maggie grew up dreaming of motherhood because she assumed it would increase her social life. She thought wrong. Now Maggie uses her stolen moments to write about the down and dirty realities of motherhood, occasionally getting these thoughts corralled online on Instagram (@unsupermommy) or www.unsupermommy.com. She escapes from the crazy by spending quality time with her husband…and her kindle. Her family is currently building a new house on the hobby farm she grew up on. You can peek into that journey on Instagram by following @bravenewfarmhouse. Maggie would be so thrilled if you catch up with her online!
I appreciated this book because it was an easy read and it pushed against the idea that if you’re a mother you must be all-consumed with motherhood. But really this is just a place God has put me in my life right now, and just as it always was, my identity is child of God. Thankful that I was given this book. It took me a long time before I actually read it!
4.5 stars - Now I get the hype. I LOVED this little easy-to-consume book on releasing perfectionism in motherhood and clinging to God's strength in my weakness instead...
Highly recommend, whether you're expecting your first child or you've been a seasoned mom for a while now. Each chapter was relatable, well organized and easy to read, packed with conviction and encouragement to help us release our unrealistic standards for ourselves, our kids, our husbands, and our circumstances.
My only minor criticisms are these: 1) The whole "plug in to God's superpower" trope was a bit overused and vague, where she didn't always explain what that meant or how exactly to do that when your mind is so exhausted you can't seem to understand basic language coherently!
2) There was very little acknowledgement of the effect of broken bodies / hormones / sleep deprivation on our minds... (It's not always a simple lack of faith or trust that tempts us to despair.)
Another thing just to be aware of: This is clearly written for Christian mothers married to godly (or at least growing Christian) husbands...
But good grief, this book brought me to tears over and over again, and I can guarantee it will be on my nightstand to review as I prepare to enter another round of postpartum recovery and newborn sleeplessness.
This book was an easy read full of truths backed by scripture that I happened to need to hear right now as a new mom. It’s so easy to get distracted and frustrated with your own expectations of motherhood and this points you right back to what’s most important.
Wow. This is one of the best, most practical and grace-filled books I’ve read on the Christian life. It’s one I’ll keep coming back to.
While it’s geared specifically toward mothers of young children, it spoke to me deeply as a follower of Jesus in general, and especially as someone who struggles with perfectionism, about getting my priorities right (in a speaking the truth in love and from experience kind of way). I feel a renewed sense of passion in my spiritual walk after reading this. And as someone who doesn’t have kids yet, I also feel that I have a much more realistic picture of motherhood now!
I have to admit that I totally judged this book by its cover, which didn’t appeal much to me. But I wanted to read it before delving into the author’s second book, “Motherhood Without All The Rules,” so that I had some background. I’d love to see this book re-released with a new cover and title (maybe it’s just me, but I’m not a fan of the ‘mommy’ language).
I plan to read the author’s second book next. I hope she continues to write, as I find her style very down to earth.
Wow, this book has so many positive reviews and I really did not find it very good at all. My sister really liked it, but I found it to be cliché, and very basic. It is a good reminder of how to use God's power instead of your own while parenting, but it sounds like she was just trying to write a book and make sense of her own tough parenting experiences. Sounds like she was very overwhelmed with parenting, and I'm glad these tips helped her, but they were simplistic and didn't really help me in any way. Seemed like anyone could have written this book and had a similar outcome.
Every woman becoming a mom/are a mom should read this. I'll probably come back to this book time and time again. It really is a great book about releasing those expectations you have on yourself, your kids, your husband, the home, your community, etc... it refocuses and recenters motherhood to the most important thing: God-- depending on His power and humbling accepting His help.
I breezed through this book right after Christmas. I'm less than 2 years into motherhood, but it helped me see some of my expectations, my desire to be perfect and my need to always seek God more.
This book was exactly what I needed in early motherhood. I started to read it when my babe was around 4 months, but wish I’d started around day 2! So convicting, and applicable, especially for those early weeks when all your expectations about motherhood are being laughed (cried) at by that tiny beautiful squishy baby. Baby’s sleep, feeding issues, hubby’s performance. She doesn’t leave any expectations unexamined! And treats them all with ruthless doses of gospel truth. So needed, so good.
One star taken off for the overly cheesy language at times. Honestly, for some people it might be a real turn off. I was able to over look it, considering how much I was gaining from her gospel application to so many difficulties experienced in early motherhood.
I truly felt like she was writing directly to me. All of the topics covered in the book are things I needed to read about and be reminded of! Great for all moms, especially those in the newborn stage.
My little one is 5 months old, and I wish I would've read this book 4 months ago. Everything the author went through with her babies, all those feelings, are exactly how I felt and still feel. She gave great insight on communicating with your significant other. She talked about not comparing our journey through motherhood with our friends journey. She explained that you can only do so much, research so much, but ultimately God is in control.
It's important for us to realize that "God gives you everything you need for life and godliness- with YOUR house, YOUR job, YOUR kids, and YOUR husband, you don't need a change of circumstances; you need a change of heart"
“The other lie behind the sins of discontentment is that another woman’s life is only the summation of all the grace you see in it. Through the lens of social media or the chit-chat of play dates, we often only see the blessed portions of another woman’s life.”
If I could give a 4.5 star rating, I would. I really enjoyed this sweet little book. It was full of truth that both convicted and comforted. It pointed back to the Gospel in every chapter, which I loved! It was great for small pockets of reading time that most “Unsuper mommies” must utilize! I read with a highlighter in hand and would recommend the same to you. My only critique is that the author really didn’t touch clearly on HOW to “connect to God’s superpower”, practically speaking. But she gave enough indirect tips that I think it can be figured out. All in all, I thought this was great and totally worth a re-read annually to refresh and receive instruction and inspiration as an “Unsuper Mommy”!
This book is a must-have for new moms. I’m going to buy it for all my expecting friends!
Maggie is so real about the challenges of motherhood while offering the very real hope of the gospel and how it meets us in those challenges. This book is super practical - she covers nursing issues, sleepless nights (particularly impactful for me 😩), and expectations for our bodies, marriages, and home post-baby. But she never gives quick fixes. She always takes us back to seeing God’s presence with us and how his word is our only anchor.
This book has kept me going on hard days and turned my eyes towards Jesus!
An easy read - which is perfect for mom’s with little spare time. All about tapping into God’s grace instead of trying to do it all in our own strength. Releasing the expectations we have for ourselves and grabbing hold of God’s perspective instead. Will be buying this for my friends as they have children :)
This book felt like a perfect mix of loving conviction and encouragement. Many times, I felt like Maggie was reading my mind as she described struggles in motherhood, and then battled them with scripture. By 2 chapters in, I was already tearing up and sending quotes to friends with encouragements for them to buy the book. An easy read that feels like a conversation with a girlfriend or a mentor.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was refreshing and encouraging. It is full of practical spiritual application for motherhood, and encourages us to remember that Jesus is first, even though our job of mothering is very important. I highly recommend it for new moms, but even if your kids are older there is plenty of encouragement and wisdom to be gleaned!
What a great little book this is! The author encourages mothers to release the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves and others and to instead accept the peace, joy, and rest only found in Christ. This would make a wonderful baby shower gift! Useful for any mama, but I think especially poignant and appropriate for a brand new mama. Definitely recommend!
Each chapter is relevant for a new mommy trying to figure this new role out. It is a good reminder to let go of expectations and know that God has you covered. I recommend this book to anyone with kids.
I believe that every young mother, new mother, struggling mother, struggling wife/mommy combo who reads this book will be encouraged by its wisdom and truth, and will be inspired to draw closer to the Lord.
This is one of those rare books I've recommended to anyone who will listen. I've purchased it multiple times and refer to it often. Maggie Combs tackles issues that are seldom talked about when it comes to motherhood and it's a book I had read while ok maternity leave.
This book was absolutely incredible and powerful. Jam packed with real life experience and scripture. This is the perfect book for first time moms. As a first time mom in the 3rd trimester as of now I confidently feel even more of a weight lifted from my shoulders and Maggie Combs put it in the book so perfectly how we must constantly rely on God's grace to get through the battles of motherhood. There are books and then there are jewels which are breathed by the Holy Spirit. 🍃 This is one of them!
A short read, but jam-packed with rich encouragement and truth for moms. This is about to be the gift I give at every baby shower from now on — so good!
Being a first-time mommy is hard. The pressures from society, family, friends and yourself can be overwhelming and cause you to fully doubt the abilities you have as a parent.
What Maggie Combs does in UnSuperMommy is help you figure out how to practically release those expectations (from yourself and others). Combs invites us into the imperfect world that is mommy-hood. And she reminds us that God is the one that carries us through this overwhelming season of life.
Combs writes short, easy to read chapters that let the busy mom get simple reminders of God's truth in a multitude of scenarios that we face on a daily basis as a mom.
I've read a lot of parenting books as I've embarked on this journey of parenthood. Combs writes practical helps filled with God's grace and reminders of the life God calls us to in scripture. The constant reminder to turn back to the Word is so vital.
I finished this book full of hope for the future and the way I approach parenting my daughter. I also found myself thinking that this book needs to be passed on to every single new mommy that I know.
Whether you've been parenting for 10 years, or you have yet to hold your little one in your arms, this is a beautiful book that reminds us that no matter how hard, no matter what your experience, God will use this experience to grow you closer to himself. To remind us that we do all things as a parent through his strength and not our own. It is his power in us that makes us super mommies. Not the things that we can do ourselves.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is my own, honest opinion.
Motherhood can be so overwhelming. Questions about HOW to manage the logistics of mom life and WHO I am as a mom are constant for me. I have struggled with unrealistic expectations about motherhood and disappointment in myself and my baby. Instead of staying stuck in that yuck, Maggie shows the path through the mess into the peace of Jesus: we are imperfect and need to rest in God's perfection. Maggie's message of freedom and hope is clear and precious. Her words have been so helpful to me! The chapters about Free Time and Purpose in Life are my absolute favorite.
Maggie offers scripture and encouragement to both a brand-new mom and a seasoned mom. Her words are wise and Christ-centered. I loved this book and will revisit it soon.
I received this book for my review on net-gallery for free. I really enjoyed this book and how it connects mother-hood to Heavenly Father. I deal a lot of jealousy as a parent of three and one who has autism a lot. I can't ever keep them not gossiping wherever I go. This book really hit home for me in how I am as a mother. How Heavenly Father can help me become who he wants me to be and also my three children....