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You Cannot Be Serious: and 32 Other Rules that Sustain a (Mostly) Balanced Mom

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"Elizabeth's writing style is like Tina Fey channeling Dear Abby"
-Jenna McCarthy, bestselling author Elizabeth Lyons had a great life raising 5 beautiful kids (who tended to lie down on the floor of Target when things weren't going their way). She was blessed with great friends (who she had little time to see). She had a well-paying job (that she enjoyed just enough to make it palatable). And then one day, while she was driving down the highway, "Happy" by Leona Lewis came on the radio. While she hadn't ever fully paid attention to the lyrics, one line in particular forced her to pull I could stand by the side. Watch this life pass me by. So unhappy. But safe as could be.

She knew she had an incredible life. She knew she should be fulfilled and grateful at all times. And she felt incredibly guilty that she didn't.

So, in that moment, she committed to getting real honest and taking time to identify some critical house rules—not for her kids, but for herself . Clarifying and owning what worked for her as a mom—no matter what anyone else said or did—became non-negotiable. Do you ever feel like... ✓ You need an extra hour in the day. Possibly four.

✓ You fall into bed exhausted most nights yet unsure what you actually did all day (because it definitely wasn't any of the 367 things on your to-do list).

✓ You miss yourself (even though you're with yourself all day long)! If so, this book was written just for you. You Cannot Be and 32 Other Rules That Sustain a (Mostly) Balanced Mom is a roadmap to shifting your perspective and putting you back in the driver's seat in order to bring consistent joy (deep inner joy, not fleeting-social-media-highlight-real joy) into your amazing life. READING YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS ♥ Untie your "nots" so that you can begin taking intentional steps toward the life of your dreams
♥ Eliminate the two words that are unconsciously sabotaging your growth
♥ Equip you to view chaos as an opportunity
♥ Reframe your focus each time you begin comparing yourself to other moms who seem to "have it all"
♥ Empower you to trust your intuition...the first time!
♥ Grant you permission to take care of yourself in a way that ensures you have full control over your own happiness at all times. EDITORIAL REVIEWS "Rarely does a book infused with such hilarity provide such an encouraging and uplifting parenting outlook. You Cannot Be Serious is not only an imperative call to action, it's a nightstand necessity!"
-Cheryl Lage, author of Twinspiration "Fresh, inspiring and wickedly funny."
-Jenna McCarthy, author of Pretty Much Screwed

"A must-have for moms craving a heartfelt laugh!"
-Ali Wing, founder of giggle

"You Cannot Be Serious offers 32 rules to help the modern woman survive — and even thrive — in the circus show that is motherhood."
-Jana Matthews, blogger + mom

214 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2010

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About the author

Elizabeth Lyons

34 books9 followers
Elizabeth Lyons is many things: mom, friend, writing and publishing coach, lunch maker, chauffeur, hostage negotiator, author, on-call plumber, tile layer, guitar student, window washer, designer, and on and on.

She demands the right to do things her way -- a way that often defies even the most creative imaginations--and she strives to inspire others to do things THEIR way (once they figure out what their way is!).

Elizabeth lives in Arizona with her five kids, crazy dog, four barely surviving organic gardens and whatever (or whomever) has taken up residence with them since her latest manuscript went to print.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Jana.
Author 2 books16 followers
December 31, 2016
As the mother of four, I enjoyed this fast read about the chaos that was the norm in the Lyons' household. (She has five.) The aim was not always clear, though. Was this a book of rules to sustain other moms? Was this a memoir of cute things her children had done? Was this an attempt to follow in Erma Bombeck's footsteps? That said, some of their precious moments brought a smile. (Like one child hugging his dad and saying, "Happy Mother's Day, Daddy.")
Profile Image for Kate.
27 reviews
April 14, 2014
Really funny. As the happy mother of one - I still need all of these rules.

Remember, if anyone claims to have it all together - run - immediately in the other direction!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews