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The Diary of a (Trying to be Holy) Mum
Meet Becky Hudson.
Loving wife to Dave, devoted mother to Jennifer (9), Adam (5) and Ellie (2) – and queen of self-doubt. If only she tried harder, Becky reasons, she could be a ‘proper’ Christian and mother!
But is this the way it’s meant to be?
As Becky’s diary records her daily ‘fails’, it also reveals how God meets and affirms her in the marvellous muddle that motherhood can be as she tries to balance faith, fears and family life!
Loving wife to Dave, devoted mother to Jennifer (9), Adam (5) and Ellie (2) – and queen of self-doubt. If only she tried harder, Becky reasons, she could be a ‘proper’ Christian and mother!
But is this the way it’s meant to be?
As Becky’s diary records her daily ‘fails’, it also reveals how God meets and affirms her in the marvellous muddle that motherhood can be as she tries to balance faith, fears and family life!
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2018
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 16, 2019
A gentle, humorous and very observant account of the life of a young mother, showing the stresses and challenges of daily life.
I was particularly entertained by the author's descriptions of communications between home and school. I well remember the horror of having to keep up with What's in the Book Bag (I used to empty it out every evening as soon as it came home) and trying to keep abreast of primary school teachers' obsession with communicating vital information via this means - notwithstanding the disappearance of important notes into pockets, notes that only reappear weeks later after having been through the washing machine.
The author also captures very well the behaviour of two, five and nine year olds, and the sort of things they can and will do if a parent is occupied elsewhere and not supervising, even for a few minutes...
I also enjoyed the author's descriptions of the other mothers in her Jelly Tots and Mothers groups at church and the very holy Helen who can always be guaranteed to say something Spiritual and/or Edifying. She reminded me a little of a female version of Adrian Plass's brilliant comic character Leonard Thynne from 'The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass'.
The story really takes off when our heroine Becky, despite all her own distractions, comes to accept that she is the right one to go to Guatemala to help a charity's work there, despite all her commitments as a parent and also her own lack of self-belief. There are some very moving moments in the story which deliver the message of trust in God beautifully. It rings true for me when she describes the series of progressive steps by which she learns God's will for her; and delivers a really lovely twist at the end. Though I do wonder why, with such a build-up, the author doesn't describe Becky's departure for Guatemala or her time there.
I was particularly entertained by the author's descriptions of communications between home and school. I well remember the horror of having to keep up with What's in the Book Bag (I used to empty it out every evening as soon as it came home) and trying to keep abreast of primary school teachers' obsession with communicating vital information via this means - notwithstanding the disappearance of important notes into pockets, notes that only reappear weeks later after having been through the washing machine.
The author also captures very well the behaviour of two, five and nine year olds, and the sort of things they can and will do if a parent is occupied elsewhere and not supervising, even for a few minutes...
I also enjoyed the author's descriptions of the other mothers in her Jelly Tots and Mothers groups at church and the very holy Helen who can always be guaranteed to say something Spiritual and/or Edifying. She reminded me a little of a female version of Adrian Plass's brilliant comic character Leonard Thynne from 'The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass'.
The story really takes off when our heroine Becky, despite all her own distractions, comes to accept that she is the right one to go to Guatemala to help a charity's work there, despite all her commitments as a parent and also her own lack of self-belief. There are some very moving moments in the story which deliver the message of trust in God beautifully. It rings true for me when she describes the series of progressive steps by which she learns God's will for her; and delivers a really lovely twist at the end. Though I do wonder why, with such a build-up, the author doesn't describe Becky's departure for Guatemala or her time there.
March 31, 2019
I picked this book up on our church book stall a little while ago – the cover caught my eye – I’ve always liked diary style books.
At first, I thought it was a biography style book, but some of the characters in the book were such caricatures of characters you see in a church that I thought either it can’t be real, or the author is brave to be naming them in her book!
Having no children, I can’t really identify with the troubles of having kids as such, although knowing plenty of people with kids, I can see the familiar troubles. But what really resonated with me were the adult characters within the church that Becky attends.
As I mentioned before, some of the characters were exaggerated, but I could definitely recognise elements of the characters from people that I know. Also the situations that Becky ends up finding herself in were quite familiar too. From not feeling good enough, to finding herself being volunteered for things that are way outside her normal comfort zone, I felt like I could relate.
In fact, her entire character was very relatable – just a likeable woman who is completely honest about the stresses of life. A book mainly aimed at mothers, but not preachy or ‘holier-than-thou’, which was very welcome.
Not a very difficult read, or a very long one either, I read this one in less than a day, I just really wanted to find out what Becky would decide. I’d love a sequel actually, just to get more of an insight into Becky and her life.
Posted on: http://emmaloui.se/2019/03/24/fiona-l...
March 10, 2018
Having this book in diary form is such a good idea. It's a book filled with the right balance of humour and touching moments.
The reader gets to see who Becky (the main character) really is as she shares her thoughts, the situations she faces, her relationships with various people, such as her husband, her children, her Mum, Mother-in-law, her friends and her conversations with God. Becky is such an easy character to connect with. She comes across as someone so genuine and relatable, the kind of person you would like as your friend.
The reader sees the struggles she faces of not feeling "good enough" as a Mum, a friend, a Christian. She is way too hard on herself (as many of us are). But the reader also sees from the way she interacts with others that she is "good enough". We also get to see the journey she goes on as a Christian.
So often as a Mum, it can feel like we're the only one feeling like this or we're the only one who is going through this, but this book encourages us by showing us the truth that it's not "just me".
For me, the book also showed the importance and value of friendships through the women's study group she belongs to.
This book is a great, uplifting, enjoyable read and I would particularly recommend it to any Mum (or carer of children) at whatever season of life they are in.
The reader gets to see who Becky (the main character) really is as she shares her thoughts, the situations she faces, her relationships with various people, such as her husband, her children, her Mum, Mother-in-law, her friends and her conversations with God. Becky is such an easy character to connect with. She comes across as someone so genuine and relatable, the kind of person you would like as your friend.
The reader sees the struggles she faces of not feeling "good enough" as a Mum, a friend, a Christian. She is way too hard on herself (as many of us are). But the reader also sees from the way she interacts with others that she is "good enough". We also get to see the journey she goes on as a Christian.
So often as a Mum, it can feel like we're the only one feeling like this or we're the only one who is going through this, but this book encourages us by showing us the truth that it's not "just me".
For me, the book also showed the importance and value of friendships through the women's study group she belongs to.
This book is a great, uplifting, enjoyable read and I would particularly recommend it to any Mum (or carer of children) at whatever season of life they are in.
July 9, 2019
Despite being aware of The Diary of a (Trying to be Holy) Mum since well before it’s publication I’ve only just read it, and I can see why it’s been so well received.
As the title suggests, this is the diary of Becky Hudson, mum to three young children, wife to teacher husband Dave, and constant struggler with all the things she feels she’s failing at. The biggest of which are parenting, and her Christian faith. I’m not a mum, but I can see how Becky’s story resonates with those who are. This is an energetic book, which compels you to turn the pages to find out about each day’s challenges and joys. Becky’s narration is completely believable, and her ‘asides’ about her mother-in-law Linda and fellow Mums’ Group member Helen in particular, are spot on, and in places laugh out loud funny. Although this is easy reading, it’s also a book which explores both living out your faith and learning to trust God. It’s a book which I very much enjoyed reading, and on finishing it I immediately thought ‘Please, let there be a sequel in the works’! As well as a super gift for any busy mum (the diary entries make for easy picking up and putting down again), this would be a great choice for any book club which includes mum’s of young children.
As the title suggests, this is the diary of Becky Hudson, mum to three young children, wife to teacher husband Dave, and constant struggler with all the things she feels she’s failing at. The biggest of which are parenting, and her Christian faith. I’m not a mum, but I can see how Becky’s story resonates with those who are. This is an energetic book, which compels you to turn the pages to find out about each day’s challenges and joys. Becky’s narration is completely believable, and her ‘asides’ about her mother-in-law Linda and fellow Mums’ Group member Helen in particular, are spot on, and in places laugh out loud funny. Although this is easy reading, it’s also a book which explores both living out your faith and learning to trust God. It’s a book which I very much enjoyed reading, and on finishing it I immediately thought ‘Please, let there be a sequel in the works’! As well as a super gift for any busy mum (the diary entries make for easy picking up and putting down again), this would be a great choice for any book club which includes mum’s of young children.
June 26, 2023
Fion'a Lloyd's 'The Diary of a Mum' is truly an amazing read! I felt like I was having a peep into someone's private life! The characters are wonderful and real to life. Becky is today's every human: married, single, young and adult. We see through her the need for us all to be open, simple, real, enjoy humour and God's peace in our lives. Some characters are like role models such as Dave. The book is so full of humour and kept me cracked up. I also love the beauty of the language and the remarkable skill the writer has with dialogues. The book touches subtly on themes of parenting, relationships, friendship,young faith, family and more. It is well written.
Helen's encourgaement: ' We can't be strong until we admit how weak we are' adapted from 2 Corinthians is key in our life journey in faith and relationship with God. An engaging read that can be read over and over again. Very deserveing of its 5 stars!
Helen's encourgaement: ' We can't be strong until we admit how weak we are' adapted from 2 Corinthians is key in our life journey in faith and relationship with God. An engaging read that can be read over and over again. Very deserveing of its 5 stars!
May 12, 2020
This is a double review, as my 89 year old mother has no idea what the internet is and has never heard of Goodreads.
I bought this book earlier in the year and lent it to my mother. She's quite picky and doesn't scruple to say if she doesn't like something. She absolutely loved it! I was treated to chunks of dialogue, quotes and overviews of the plot, all at a safe distance of course.
I also read it and thought it was fab! Very encouraging to read a funny and authentic account which doesn't make you feel inadequate.
I will be very happy if the author publishes another book, and so will my mother!
I bought this book earlier in the year and lent it to my mother. She's quite picky and doesn't scruple to say if she doesn't like something. She absolutely loved it! I was treated to chunks of dialogue, quotes and overviews of the plot, all at a safe distance of course.
I also read it and thought it was fab! Very encouraging to read a funny and authentic account which doesn't make you feel inadequate.
I will be very happy if the author publishes another book, and so will my mother!
January 24, 2018
This is a fantastically witty book which documents the day to day adventures of Becky, a Christian mum. I laughed out loud at her many day to day misadventures with her 3 children and could really relate to her struggle to trust God fully in her daily walk and to share her faith with those around her. This would strike a particular chord with those who have raised or are currently raising children but as an unmarried woman who doesn't have children yet, I also enjoyed it immensely!! I really hope that there is a sequel!
February 3, 2018
This book was truly brilliant and I am longing for a sequel as I miss Becky, the main character, and her daily antics, recorded brilliantly in the pages here, in diary format.
As a Mum (Like Becky) and a teacher (like Becky's husband) there was so much I could relate to and I literally snorted with laughter at numerous points in the book.
So well written with humour and honesty, a must - read for any Mum, battling to find her identity and grow in her faith in the midst of the chaos of family life. I highly recommend this book.
As a Mum (Like Becky) and a teacher (like Becky's husband) there was so much I could relate to and I literally snorted with laughter at numerous points in the book.
So well written with humour and honesty, a must - read for any Mum, battling to find her identity and grow in her faith in the midst of the chaos of family life. I highly recommend this book.
August 10, 2018
I've recommended this book to lots of friends. It's a lovely easy read, just the way I like parenting books to be, no guilt just encouragement. It's very easy to identify with the main character and chuckle with recognition at what she experiences. A very uplifting book.
January 25, 2020
I'm not sure why I chose this book from the library...
At first I wasn't sure if I'd get into it - a mother in her late 30s struggling to fit God into her manic mothering life isn't really relatable to me - but it ended up being an enjoyable tale about the way God can work in our lives.
At first I wasn't sure if I'd get into it - a mother in her late 30s struggling to fit God into her manic mothering life isn't really relatable to me - but it ended up being an enjoyable tale about the way God can work in our lives.
February 9, 2018
Absolutely LOVED this. A Christian book that felt real and relatable. So...human. Made me laugh, made me reflect. Already got people in mind to gift copies to!
March 2, 2018
Funny and easy to read. Reminds us that we are normal!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews