Elastico Fresco Para Madres Estiradas / Fresh Elastic for Stretched Out Mothers

by Barbara Johnson

A favorite for many years, Fresh Elastic for Stretched-Out Moms is for all moms whose hearts have been broken by their children. Barbara Johnson understands the hopelessness that they experience when children choose a rebellious lifestyle, sever a relationship, commit suicide, are seriously injured, are caught in an addiction, or engage in any other hurtful behavior. With compassion, understanding, and humor intact, she gently leads readers through a ''year of recovery'' to a fresh, hope-filled start. Through anecdotes, poems, jokes, poignant stories, and letters, readers will capture Johnson's infectious enthusiasm for life and learn to trust God for victory over depression and despair.

Genres: Womens, Parenting, Self Help, Inspirational, Nonfiction, Christian, Humor

Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Librarian note: There are other authors with the same name

Barbara Johnson (1927-2007) died July 2nd, 2007 of cancer (Central Nervous System Lymphoma) after a valiant 6 year fight against the disease. During her illness, she added four more books to her long list of published works, including one that takes humorous pokes at her life with cancer. Affectionately called the “Geranium Lady,” a title taken from her bestselling book, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy, her homespun humor and hope in God in the midst of tragedy, ministered to millions.

A strong Christian woman who relied on her faith in God and her sense of humor to persevere through many devastating experiences, her life was plagued by a string of tragedies. Her husband was in a near fatal accident and slowly recovered from debilitating injuries. She lost one son in Vietnam and another son to a drunk driver. Her third son was estranged from the family while pursuing a homosexual lifestyle. But, she emerged from these experiences having learned that though pain is inevitable, people can choose to pick flowers instead of weeds.

Her compassion extended far beyond the pages of her encouraging books. Wanting to use her own pain to help others, she and her husband Bill founded Spatula Ministries, a unique organization that uses a “spatula of love” to help parents “peel themselves off the ceiling” and begin on the road to recovery. She wrote her first book after reaching the age of 50 and was voted “Celebrity Mom of the Year” for 1996. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, she toured across the country as a popular conference speaker and part of the "Women of Faith" tour. Her many books have comforted millions of women, bringing them hope and humor in times of distress. She will be missed by many, but her life will live on in her numerous books.

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm struggling with my 15 year old daughter right now, and this book called to me as a little bit of support. While Barbara Johnson is very cheerful, and has a lot of fun stories, she is not a therapist and her advice is minimal. I gleaned that I need to keep trying and to take care of myself during this "teenage storm of hate." I definitely need to be scraped off the ceiling with a spatula right now! However, her advice to decide to stop being depressed just doesn't "do it" for me. Depression is not something one can just decide to stop and a therapist would say this too. Sure, I need to get up and go to work, but I can't just "STOP" it like she suggested.

I do like the idea of visualizing wrapping my child up in a pretty package and presenting her to God as a gift. I will continue to do what I can to guide her but I also have to trust God's plan for her. I did like the story of how a bar of iron is cheap but as it is worked over more and more, it becomes more valuable as it is bent under pressure and heated in the fire.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes, you just really, really, really need a laugh.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many good tidbits of hope in this book! With wit and compassion, Barbara Johnson walks with mothers who need to know that someone's in their corner. In addition to poetry, practical tips and scripture, Barbara Johnson shares parts of her story as a hurting mother. The biggest criticism I have of this book is that it's geared to a conservative Christian audience, and I wish it could reach a broader audience because the message is uplifting.

[Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from a very special friend (I call her "Tita"(aunt in English) in the 90s. She's the Mom of my big brother's penpal way back in the late 70s; she & I ended up becoming pen-friends (lifelong friends). The book is a relief for stressed-out moms. A helpful book about the experiences & insights of mothers.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me deal with the various bumps in life. Some of the stories I especially loved were:

The ship captain that saw another light in the distance and a collision was inevitable. He sends out an emergency signal that tells the other ship to change course 10 degrees to the south. The response he receives is "Change your course 10 degrees to the north! He responds "I am a captain!" only to be told again to change his course 10 degrees to the north and that the sender is a third class seaman!" Again he saids a furious message, stating he is a battleship!. The response: Change your course 10 degrees to the North, I am a lighthouse!"

It still makes me laugh, we often take stands over the silliest things when cooperation really is the only way.

[Michael]

As with all of Barbara's contributions, full of humour (some black, mostly white)...but heartfelt and yet never appearing anywhere near corny.. Her natural gift of humour and creative optomism (as opposed to just positive thinking), addresses huge issues in life in a surprising and unpredictable way. Proud to say I "knew her when". When she came alongside me and my family in very significant times and before the books were written, she walked the talk! Sorely missed. Most other people of her ilk are way too "precious" with their beliefs.

[Partridge Public]

Johnson, Barbara pb

[zita]

pacing is key. Healing really takes time

[Carol]

I am really enjoying this book.

[Wyvonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT READ

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kid is only 5 and hasn't "broke" me yet, but this book takes things one month at a time to give the stretched mom a chance to focus on both the forest and the trees during her trial. Thumbs up!

[Cws]

248.8