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The Possibility Mom: How to be a Great Mom and Pursue Your Dreams at the Same Time
The Possibility Mom helps moms be less stressed, feel less guilt, and get more done while chasing their dreams.
Balancing the demands of modern motherhood is a tough job. Between kids, work obligations, social commitments, and household duties, trying to fit in a little me time (let alone a date night), balance can seem practically impossible. When moms do well at work, they feel like they’re failing at home, and when they focus on their family, they feel like they’re falling behind at work. The Possibility Mom provides readers solutions to trim the to-do list, clarify their priorities, get more done in less time, and ensure they are living a life they love―one that they design. Interior designer and lifestyle expert Lisa Canning shows moms not only what is possible, but how to design those possibilities themselves.
Balancing the demands of modern motherhood is a tough job. Between kids, work obligations, social commitments, and household duties, trying to fit in a little me time (let alone a date night), balance can seem practically impossible. When moms do well at work, they feel like they’re failing at home, and when they focus on their family, they feel like they’re falling behind at work. The Possibility Mom provides readers solutions to trim the to-do list, clarify their priorities, get more done in less time, and ensure they are living a life they love―one that they design. Interior designer and lifestyle expert Lisa Canning shows moms not only what is possible, but how to design those possibilities themselves.
184 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2019
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91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 6, 2019
Disappointing. While some exercises were useful, her information and examples didn’t resonate with me. First, I think the author makes a lot of assumptions about the women who read her book and it frankly comes off as kind of blind to the reality other women face and somewhat insensitive.
Using the example of a woman wanting another child but her only problem is the number of bedrooms in her house really hit me because I and so many other wonderful women I know would love a child or second child but it isn’t medically possible. I wish she had included a discussion about what to do when your goal or dream absolutely will not come true, rather than just punting and saying there will be setbacks. I think that unfortunately, while she struggles dealing with her husband’s condition, that hasn’t translated into empathy in other areas outside her own experience.
Similarly, she doesn’t take into account how many mothers out there are having to parent solo, for whatever reason. If you don’t have a partner, a lot of her suggestions and solutions are no help. Or if your dream job is fulfilling but doesn’t provide the sort of income that lets you do a lot of other things. Or if two incomes are needed to support your family. I could keep going but it really just seemed to me that she either ignored the possibility of all these things because it didn’t fit her narrative of what it takes to succeed, or is not really aware of other womens’ circumstances in the first place.
Lastly, I think that her experience and her examples are limited to those professions that are based on online media revenue generation. If you aren’t interested in that field, haven’t figured out a career path, or have a career that actually requires you to be in the office at least eight hours a day, her examples aren’t really that useful either.
Using the example of a woman wanting another child but her only problem is the number of bedrooms in her house really hit me because I and so many other wonderful women I know would love a child or second child but it isn’t medically possible. I wish she had included a discussion about what to do when your goal or dream absolutely will not come true, rather than just punting and saying there will be setbacks. I think that unfortunately, while she struggles dealing with her husband’s condition, that hasn’t translated into empathy in other areas outside her own experience.
Similarly, she doesn’t take into account how many mothers out there are having to parent solo, for whatever reason. If you don’t have a partner, a lot of her suggestions and solutions are no help. Or if your dream job is fulfilling but doesn’t provide the sort of income that lets you do a lot of other things. Or if two incomes are needed to support your family. I could keep going but it really just seemed to me that she either ignored the possibility of all these things because it didn’t fit her narrative of what it takes to succeed, or is not really aware of other womens’ circumstances in the first place.
Lastly, I think that her experience and her examples are limited to those professions that are based on online media revenue generation. If you aren’t interested in that field, haven’t figured out a career path, or have a career that actually requires you to be in the office at least eight hours a day, her examples aren’t really that useful either.
November 4, 2019
If this book is recommended for “all moms” I completely disagree. I think it was intended for moms who don’t know how to prioritize their time and for those fortunate enough to have a two salary income.
Realistically, not all dreams come true. That’s life. Plans are made...but it doesn’t mean we can change life’s course, despite finding childcare or someone to watch your kids.
“Setbacks” could mean huge financial impacts..the death of a spouse, the loss of a child, addiction, mental illness, family problems. And those setbacks could take years to resolve or heal. The sad reality is that some may never. Fortunately for her family’s sake, her husband was able to seek ongoing support.
As a recently, young widowed Catholic mom, I don’t find this book particularly helpful. The reality is not everyone’s life is going to go as planned, no matter how much we prioritize or design our lives.
I wish there was a chapter on...And if things don’t work out or didn’t happen or a tragic setback scenario.
Moms make things possible, because we have no other choice. Especially the widowed moms, single moms, and financially burdened moms. These women have heavier burdens to carry.
Realistically, not all dreams come true. That’s life. Plans are made...but it doesn’t mean we can change life’s course, despite finding childcare or someone to watch your kids.
“Setbacks” could mean huge financial impacts..the death of a spouse, the loss of a child, addiction, mental illness, family problems. And those setbacks could take years to resolve or heal. The sad reality is that some may never. Fortunately for her family’s sake, her husband was able to seek ongoing support.
As a recently, young widowed Catholic mom, I don’t find this book particularly helpful. The reality is not everyone’s life is going to go as planned, no matter how much we prioritize or design our lives.
I wish there was a chapter on...And if things don’t work out or didn’t happen or a tragic setback scenario.
Moms make things possible, because we have no other choice. Especially the widowed moms, single moms, and financially burdened moms. These women have heavier burdens to carry.
May 4, 2025
Lisa is unfortunately very out of touch with the reality most moms face in the modern climate. It’s pretty easy to tout “chase your dreams, the safety net will appear!” when you have a husband who will willingly give up his career to stay at home with the kids while you grind, when you get picked up by a major television network, when after packing in enough money to thrive for a year+ you can remodel your entire business plan because you have the room to let business slow down until it picks back up. Her examples pretty much don’t apply to single moms or unsupported moms at all. It also really rubbed me the wrong way that there was an entire chapter dedicated to how she overcame her husband’s battle with depression…I think I understand the points she was trying to make with that but it really read as if she was making his crippling mental illness out to be just as much her mountain to climb as his, talked about how much she went through while he was nearly catatonic, and even said “we overcame it together” while also saying “it was a disease I didn’t understand.” That didn’t sit well with me.
On the flip side, I do plan to utilize some of her advice from this book. Primarily those about coaching myself to start better habits, and taking extended social media breaks. It wasn’t a waste of 5 hours of audio but I don’t feel inclined to recommend it as a realistic guide for a modern mom.
On the flip side, I do plan to utilize some of her advice from this book. Primarily those about coaching myself to start better habits, and taking extended social media breaks. It wasn’t a waste of 5 hours of audio but I don’t feel inclined to recommend it as a realistic guide for a modern mom.
June 6, 2019
There are a lot of Mom books out right now and I’ve read a few. I liked this one best because she’s very clearly made her order of priority God then husband then kids then career. So, I feel I can trust what she has to say. She offers a ton of practical advise as well.
May 1, 2021
I think it's not just for you
The first half
The first half
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2025
Anything is possible when your husband gives up his job to take care of your kids and your mom can help!
Good for her. Not for me.
Good for her. Not for me.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews