Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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{Review & Giveaway} Mothering from Scratch

January 22, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Most of you know, I don’t bake. But I want to embrace the message from “Mothering from Scratch,” a parenting book that offers practical advice using a baking analogy. Although the subtitle “Finding the Best Parenting Style for You and Your Family” makes mothering sound more like a recipe than we all know it actually is!

“Mothering From Scratch” by Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo is the kind of book I wish I had in my hands when I quit my job to stay home with my 4-month-old daughter. Even so, reading it now, as a mom to a 7-year-old girl and 5-year-old, was certainly still helpful. The authors share real-life stories from their own lives.

I was encouraged in being the mom God created me to be – which is different probably looks different than the mom he created you to be. I was spurred on to continue seeking God – on the days I have it figured out and certainly on the days I have no idea what I’m doing. I was reminded that just as every child is different, so is every mom, but together we can build communities that foster what is the gospel is all about.

ABOUT THE BOOK :: Trying to follow someone else’s rules for mothering can take the joy out of being a parent. But “Mothering From Scratch” shows you how to develop your own style that helps you be the best mom for your kids. Full of solid biblical truth, this book will help you explore your personality and examine your strengths and weaknesses in order to find what works for you, tap into the resources surrounding you and get mentoring and support from other moms, and push past the fear of change or doing it wrong and allow room for grace in your mothering. Paperback. 208 pages.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS :: Melinda Means is a writer, speaker, and mom blogger at Mothering From Scratch, as well as women’s ministry director at First Alliance Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. Her work has appeared in Focus on Your Child newsletters, CBN.com, In Touch magazine, and Lifeway’s Journey magazine. She is mother to two teenage children, a daughter and a son. She and her family live in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Kathy Helgemo started out as an English teacher after graduating from Florida State University, moved through various other jobs, and landed in her current one as a freelance writer from home. She blogs with Melinda at motheringfromscratch.com. Her blog posts have been featured on thesitsgirls.com, the Women of Faith website, and Parent Society’s Mommy Blog Hot List. She and her husband, Ben, have four children and live in Port Charlotte, Florida.

GIVEAWAY! :: I have a paperback copy of “Mothering From Scratch” to give one of you. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win. A winner will be selected randomly on Thursday, Jan. 29.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

___________

I was part of the launch team for this book, so I got an advanced copy to read and review. The authors and Bethany House Publishers also provided the copy I’m giving away. The opinions of the book are my own. 

Want more stories? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

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Filed Under: books, faith, motherhood, review

Comments

  1. Kristen says

    January 23, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    I received an advanced copy as well and just started reading it yesterday, after finishing "Fringe Hours." You are right. It is a mothering book that speaks straight to the heart. I am very thankful for this book – and I'm not even half way finished yet!

    Reply
  2. Beth White says

    January 23, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    I'm not a "mom" just yet but know I mother many in different areas of my life (Sunday School, nieces, nephews, friends). I just found your blog from Beauty in the Mess.

    Reply
  3. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    I'm glad you're here, Beth! Mothering can be such a broad role like you mentioned. I'm grateful for those influences on my kids' lives.

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 23, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    So many good books to start the year. I read "Fringe Hours" too. 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of it – although I'm sure you will.

    Reply
  5. Kristen says

    January 24, 2015 at 1:03 am

    Yes. Not only was "Fringe Hours" delightfully encouraging, but I stumbled upon your lovely blog thanks to our Facebook launch page!

    Reply
  6. Sheila says

    January 27, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    I am excited to read this book. I am still trying to figure out this mothering gig. I have realized that just when i think i have it all figured out, i'm thrown a curve ball.

    Reply
  7. KristinHillTaylor says

    January 27, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    Ah, yes, I know that feeling! Seasons in mothering change so quickly! I'm glad you entered to win, Sheila!

    Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it trimmed and colored this week. You know it’s time when the stylist takes before and after pictures. My friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon always does a good job. 

In addition to the much-needed TLC, I also got bangs. After a few days, I can say I love them. The resident teenager at my home doesn’t like this — and she tells me daily. I tell her I don’t care whether she likes them because I do and it’s my hair. She also didn’t like the tennis shoes I bought a few weeks ago. Again, I do, so who cares. 

Anyway, it’s Friday! So let’s do some #fridayintroductions around here. Tell me three things you’re loving these days. I’ve already mostly told you mine: 

1️⃣ My bangs. I’ve included a picture of the fun waves that Whitney gave me at the salon and the more likely normal styling — by that I mean blow drying and some minor straightening to train the bangs. 
2️⃣ New tennis shoes, which are gray & purple Brooks Launch 7, if you’re curious. My nail color accidentally matches them. 
3️⃣ The teenager in my house. I’ve been giving her grief about her dislike of my fashion choices, but I really love being around her. Honestly, she’s the easiest kid in my house right now. 

✨ Bonus current love: Who can tell me what TV character inspired my hairdo? If you know, then that’s also the TV show I recently binged and am eagerly awaiting new episodes. 

So, what are you loving — even if nobody else in your life does? #momconfessions #reallife #reallifeconfessions #momlife #choosingJOY
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I enjoyed the feuding sisters story unfolding while filming a realty show about their family’s feuding chicken restaurants in a small Kansas town. Of course, not everything is quite as it seems, so the reality show helps uncover some reality both sisters were missing.

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We needed to get out of the house today — even t We needed to get out of the house today — even though the sun barely peeked through the clouds into the cold air. #countryliving #weekending #choosingJOY #boymom #thirdchild
A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and t A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and these two have spent a lot of time together. Rachel encourages her and stays close. Peggy plays games and watches movies with Rachel.

Honestly, this #thirdchild of mine was probably my biggest concern with having Peggy recover from open heart surgery here: I didn’t want Rachel to hug too hard. I didn’t know if she’d understand that her Gran-Gran looks fine on the inside but hurts on the inside. She’s been booted from her room, but she’s been sleeping well on her mattress in the back living room. She’s actually probably not going to know what to do when Peggy moves back home.

For now, we’ll let them make memories together. That’s part of caretaking I hadn’t considered. #bettertogether #weekending #choosingJOY
I’ve been in a reading slump. I returned one lib I’ve been in a reading slump. I returned one library book I couldn’t get into and then couldn’t decide what to read next. So I went with this library book — and I’m glad I did.

“The Unhoneymooners” by @christinalauren is a funny romance novel that helped distract my mind from heavy thoughts. It also made me want to go to Maui. The dialogue is delightful, the story of quirky from the get-go, and I definitely found myself rooting for Ethan and Olive.

I also discovered by reading the acknowledgements (possibly my favorite thing about books!) that @christinalauren is the pen name for a writing duo. What fun to write novels with a friend! 

As always, I’m happy to accept your recommendations on what to read next. I may also be pondering what friend with whom to write my next book. 📚 #amreading #fiction #authorlife #bookstagram #bettertogether #romcombooks
My friend Delana called before she brought us dinn My friend Delana called before she brought us dinner yesterday and asked if we liked chocolate pie. Um, yes. Turns out both Peggy and I love chocolate pie. Delana gave us chocolate chips cookies too, you know, just in case we didn’t like pie.

My friends are loving on us so well this week with dinner & dessert, obviously. Yes, the food is good, but the way they saw a need and met it is even more gracious. (I wrote a book about gathering & nourishing your people!) Having someone provide dinner has freed up some mental space I’m able to use for taking care of Peggy and parenting my kids, some of whom have needed a little extra love and guidance this week. 

Peggy is nine days removed from open heart surgery with quadruple bypass and is doing well. She had a good check up with her primary care provider this morning. We’re thankful for our community of people who continue to pray for us, feed us, and provide help, like today’s impromptu preschool pickup when an appointment ran long. (Thanks, @katie_cunningham85 & @tstanger25!)

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Sweet @ashleelyoung brought us delicious dinner to Sweet @ashleelyoung brought us delicious dinner tonight and the dessert became a craft. I’m so thankful for the way our people love us. 💛 #bettertogether #reallife #choosingJOY
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