Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God's Strength to Face the Challenge

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Married Mom, Solo Parent: Finding God's Strength to Face the Challenge

by Carla Anne Coroy (Goodreads Author)

4.56 of 5 stars 4.56 · rating details · 18 ratings · 13 reviews

For married women who feel like single parents Bookstore shelves are full of parenting resources for moms who are newly divorced or widowed. But where do moms turn if they feel like a single parent--but they're not? Whether he is away on business, deployed in the military, or obsessing over a computer game, dad may not be available for a variety of reasons. Moms who parent...more

Paperback, 272 pages

Published September 9th 2011 by Kregel Publications

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Feb 13, 2012 Kaylea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: see-blog-for-more-info

What do you do when you are married, but your parenting seems to be more of a "solo" effort?

In Married Mom, Solo Parent, Carla Anne Coroy helps "pull back" the curtain to show another side of parenting - parenting solo, while your spouse travels (or focuses) on his career.

Whether it's by choice (career building) or by force (today's economic climate), some moms find themselves parenting not as a married team, but rather as a solo parent.

I'll be honest, this book made me think. A lot.

I've talked...more

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Feb 04, 2012 A. Cann rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was completely delighted to have the opportunity to read the book, “Married Mom, Solo Parent”, by Carla Anne Coroy! There are a lot of books out there on single parenting, but I have yet, until reading this book, seen one about being a “married, solo parent!”

What is so interesting is, that a married, solo parent could be a military mom or dad, a spouse of a Dr. Or lawyer, there are so many family dynamics in this area, that this could fall under. My favorite by far, would be the military mom o...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Carla Anne Coroy in her new book, “Married Mom, Solo Parent” published by Kregel Publications gives us a way of Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge.

From the back cover: Who knew that a married mom could feel like a single mom?

Carla Anne Coroy knows the struggle! As a veteran solo parent, she has a passion to share her story–the good and the bad–to encourage other married women who feel like they’re going it alone. Whether your husband is away on business, serving in the military, or bus...more Carla Anne Coroy in her new book, “Married Mom, Solo Parent” published by Kregel Publications gives us a way of Finding God’s Strength to Face the Challenge.

From the back cover: Who knew that a married mom could feel like a single mom?

Carla Anne Coroy knows the struggle! As a veteran solo parent, she has a passion to share her story–the good and the bad–to encourage other married women who feel like they’re going it alone. Whether your husband is away on business, serving in the military, or busy with a hobby, “Married Mom, Solo Parent” offers encouragement, advice, and answers to the tough questions:

How do I honor my husband and teach my children to do the same?
How do I overcome loneliness, insecurity and anger?
How do I avoid emotionally checking out of my marriage?
How do I find some time just for me?

With practical suggestions and biblical teaching, this down-to-earth book will equip you to pursue your high calling and tap into God’s strength to face the daily challenge of being a married mom, solo parent.

I know that there are single women parents out there, some due to divorce, death of the spouse, no marriage at all, it just never occurred to me that there could be a married woman with a spouse who could feel like a single mom. Carla Anne Coroy lays it all out for us in her book and forces us to see the challenge this group of women face. In chapters: “I Have Needs Too, You Know!”, “Make The Most Of Mealtime”, “Honoring The Man You Don’t See Enough” and others Ms. Coroy shares with us the day-to-day struggle of being married with a husband who was not home enough. It is an illuminating book and shows us how we can understand and help these families. I recommend this book highly.

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Feb 01, 2012 Jacque Stengel rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had a personal reason for reading this book, my husband is a firefighter/medic, which means if he isn't gone because of work (24 hours on), he's gone for training or his time with the volunteer department or whatever. I try not to whine, but sometimes (with five kids) it gets crazy. I was hoping to get encouragement from this book and I did. If you are struggling to make sense of being alone in a family, I highly suggest you pick up this book. There are small tips (like how to pick a friend) b...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Sunflower rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-book-reviews, litfuse-publicity, kregel-publications

By the time I was finished with,"Married Mom, Solo Parent", it was dog earred, highlighted, and post-it noted, everywhere; This is a book that I would recommend for moms who find themselves in that awkward category of, not single, but feeling not married as their spouses are away due to military, maybe their husband's jobs requires him to be on the road for days, weeks, or even months at the time, or they are in situations where a spouse has illnesses that has made it difficult to be an active p...more

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Oct 19, 2011 Kendra Neal rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! Carla Anne is a brand new author and she really "hit a home run" with this book. I have never seen a book based on this topic and this book really opened my eyes to what some Moms have to struggle with to keep their family "going". I was really amazed at how many different reasons a dad can be an "absentee husband". I think the most common ones many think about are a husband who travels a lot or one works long hours. I really like the practical,biblical and wise advic...more I really enjoyed this book! Carla Anne is a brand new author and she really "hit a home run" with this book. I have never seen a book based on this topic and this book really opened my eyes to what some Moms have to struggle with to keep their family "going". I was really amazed at how many different reasons a dad can be an "absentee husband". I think the most common ones many think about are a husband who travels a lot or one works long hours. I really like the practical,biblical and wise advice that Carla Anne gives to the Moms struggling with the fact that their husband is "there but not" or away for long periods of time. I know I get frustrated sometimes when I become a "sports widow", but that is only for a day a couple times a week. I am blessed that my husband is "active participant" in our family and helps out. The moms who "solo parent" on a daily basis for weeks or months at a time=STRESS. I really enjoyed reading the Letters and Stories from "real moms" dealing with being a "Solo Parent" and how Carla Anne answered the letters with sound advice and wisdom.

The book shows the moms how to rely on God more for the strength they need to make it through the "Solo Parent" times and also gives them pratical advice for dealing with "daily life situations". Some of the hints include making sure the kids are helping when possible, training the children and setting boundaries, and most importantly making sure "Dad" in on board with the rules. It is important that Dad is in agreement and helps maintain the rules, boundaries and chores when he is home. A "team divided" is not good for the kids to see and will cause issues for the family. The author suggests doing a major declutter and getting the house in order will help maintain things and make things run smoother. The book has many many suggestions and practical advice for dealing with an "absentee husband". A really great part of the book is where the author talks about honoring the husband even through our own anger and frustration.

EXCELLENT book! I highly recommend it for Moms who struggle with an "absentee husband".(less)

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Apr 09, 2012 Sheila Gregoire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: marriage

Carla Anne Coroy knows what it's like to feel like a single mom--even when you're married.

If you're married to a truck driver, or a pilot, or a soldier, or a marine, or a contractor, or a consultant, you can probably relate. You signed up "til death do us part", but often it feels like "til paycheque do us part", because he's never home. He's away, earning money for the family. And it's hard.

What I really liked about the book was how honest Carla was about her own problems and struggles. This is...more

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Oct 15, 2011 Bluerose's Heart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, christian, favorites, non-fiction

This book deserves so much more than 5 stars!

I really thought I needed this book. After reading it, I KNOW I needed it! I can honestly say this has been a life changing read for me. I haven't automatically became a better wife. It takes lots of time and prayer when change is involved, especially for good! My heart and mind have been opened to so much, though.

I'm not a full time married, solo parent. I am part time, though. I am very blessed to have my husband, and he is a good one, but our situ...more This book deserves so much more than 5 stars!

I really thought I needed this book. After reading it, I KNOW I needed it! I can honestly say this has been a life changing read for me. I haven't automatically became a better wife. It takes lots of time and prayer when change is involved, especially for good! My heart and mind have been opened to so much, though.

I'm not a full time married, solo parent. I am part time, though. I am very blessed to have my husband, and he is a good one, but our situation is what it is. For me, it comes with anger and resentment, like probably every other mother out there. While our schedule is very different from the average "stay at home mom" family, I wouldn't say it's any better or worse. Sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it's harder! ;) I'm excluding any type of full time solo parenting from the previous statement. I know that's a new level of difficulty. I pretty much had to take on that role for 16 months(9 of them, I was a sick, exhausted pregnant momma) several months ago, and I'm glad that season of our marriage is past! And I hope it doesn't come around again!!

There were days I was so desperate for this book to arrive in the mail, that I loaded the boys and carseat up in the wagon and rolled them to the mailbox hoping I'd find it sitting there. I just can't express how grateful to Carla Anne I am for writing it!

I related to a great deal of Married Mom, Solo Parent! There's a few parts that I didn't relate to so much, because they just didn't apply to me or our situation. I don't 100% share the same spiritual beliefs as Carla Anne, but there is so much that I love about this book! I'd say that 3/4ths of the book is just plain old good advice for EVERY mother out there. (I'm completely guessing at that percentage).

When I first started reading Married Mom, Solo Parent, I set it down and thought that it wasn't for me. Since I agreed to review it, though, I did pick it back up. That was the best reading decision I could have made!!! Unless you're a full time solo mom, in which case you will most likely completely relate to the introduction, I encourage you to keep reading. That introduction chapter might scare you off a bit.

I don't take advice from women who act like marriage is one great big walk through a butterfly garden! They aren't being honest with me! Sometimes I read about these women and I'm tempted to be jealous(this is covered in the book, by the way) and then I remember it's not true. Marriage takes hard work. I really think that marriage is the hardest thing you will ever choose to do! Carla Anne is honest! I appreciate that! At first I was uncomfortable reading about her husband's lack of involvement, but she's not husband bashing and she doesn't approve of it in any kind of way. She's just being honest! I needed for her to be in order for me to relate with her and to be able to take her advice. This book is written with her husband's blessing and he even gets his own chapter at the back. That was really important for me to know while reading. I actually discovered the husband's chapter after reading the first one, and it really helped my outlook in the book.

Carla Anne kept the focus on the wife. She doesn't let you point fingers at your husband or blame him for things going wrong. I was forced to really look at my actions. I'll leave you with one of the many things in this book that really touched me.

"One day he will stand before God and have to give an account of how he raised his children. What will that look like? As you stand beside him that day, will you be cheering at his sorrow? 'Yeah, now you'll get what you deserve!' No. Oh, my friend, my dear, dear solo mom, that will not be your song.
As you stand before a holy God with your husband at your side, God will ask you what you did to make it possible for your husband to be the incredible dad he was created to be. What did you do to smooth the road for him, to allow your love to cover a multitude of his sins?"

That really put things in perspective for me!!!

*I was provided a review copy through the Litfuse Publicity Tours in exchange for my completely honest opinion.
(less)

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Oct 23, 2011 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kate by: LitFuse book tour

Shelves: received-for-review

This is the kind of book that you only really pick up if it describes you. I am a married mom, who often feels like a solo parent. I've commented on this before with friends and family, so when I saw this book I knew I just HAD to read it. My husband is a firefighter who works 48-hour shifts. I spend two full days and nights alone at home with my kids, followed by two full days and nights with my husband here. Sometimes he works overtime and works longer than 48 hours - 6 days on duty isn't all...more This is the kind of book that you only really pick up if it describes you. I am a married mom, who often feels like a solo parent. I've commented on this before with friends and family, so when I saw this book I knew I just HAD to read it. My husband is a firefighter who works 48-hour shifts. I spend two full days and nights alone at home with my kids, followed by two full days and nights with my husband here. Sometimes he works overtime and works longer than 48 hours - 6 days on duty isn't all that uncommon and if he gets sent out of town during the busy summer fire season it could be even longer. But I digress. This review shouldn't be all about me, though I can tell already it's going to be hard for me to write this review without a lot of personal anecdotes. I hope you can bear with me.

Being a married mom who spends so much solo time with her kids can feel like a heavy responsibility. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting to be the one person that everyone counts on all of the time. Carla Anne Coroy knows what this is like. She's lived the life of a married mom-solo parent, and in this book she addresses a lot of the issues that moms like me deal with on a regular basis. One of the best things about this book is that I felt less alone when I was reading it. It connected me back to the fact that a lot of moms go through this, and that my situation isn't that unique. Keeping that in the back of my mind during the day helps me to feel less sorry for myself and to be thankful for my blessings.

Another great thing about this book is that it provides a lot of practical advice as well as spiritual advice. Some of my favorite practical advice included: cut back on kids' activities to cut back on stress, set aside time to spend on yourself and with supportive friends, and train your kids to contribute to the family by giving them chores from an early age. There is a great chore list on pages 134-136 with age-appropriate suggestions. In the craziness of my daily existence (and my perfectionist tendencies), I will often try to do everything around the house myself. This book reminded me that not only will handing off some of the chores to my kids help the household to run smoother, it will give them skills that they need in adulthood. They need to learn this stuff so they can take care of themselves when they grow up. And the earlier they start taking on responsibilities at home, the less they will resist it.

Spiritually, this book was a goldmine for me. Most important, it reminded me that I need to lean more on God for guidance and support. I don't have to feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, God can help me to carry that load. If I lean on God's strength, I'm not really alone. It also made me look at a lot of my scattered and unorganized thoughts and feelings about being a solo parent and face them. It gave me something more constructive to do than feeling resentful. For example, I need to deal with my anger so I can model for my kids "how a healthy adult should live" (57). I need to put myself more in my husband's shoes and try to understand what it must be like for him to be walking in on a household that seems to run just fine without him when he's gone. I need to be less harsh with him when he doesn't know our schedules and rules, because how can he know when he isn't here all of the time? I think I tend to expect perfection out of him, which is unfair. I also need to remember to honor him by helping him to not feel like an outsider--I need to think of ways to help him feel like a part of the family both when he is at work and when he is at home. And I need to pray more--for my husband, for my kids, and for myself.

As you can tell by my long-winded review, this book gave me a lot to think about. I've got a lot of sticky notes marking important passages that I plan to go back to on a regular basis. I am really glad I read this book. It has helped me to look at my husband from a new perspective and has forced me to think about making my actions and my attitudes good examples for my kids. I want them to be able to look at our family as something they want to emulate, not reject. The best way for me to do that is to lean on God's strength, because when I depend too much on my imperfect and weak self, it doesn't go that well. I highly recommend this book for any married mom who finds herself struggling to do the solo parenting gig for whatever reason. You'll find a lot of great support and advice within these pages.(less)

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Jul 01, 2012 Kevin Sorensen rated it 4 of 5 stars

What in the world am I doing reviewing a book for women, for moms, for "solo parents"?

Well, here's what went through my head when Kregel first contacted me about reviewing this book: We have "solo moms" at Cornerstone, some of whom are the primary spiritual influencers in their children's lives, so-o-o, I figured this book would give me a leg up on understanding them and helping other women to help them.

Well, I was partly right, partly wrong.

This is a very helpful book. I'll say that right up fr...more

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Oct 19, 2011 Proud Book Nerd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tours, faith, family, litfuse, marriage, non-fiction, parenting

Excellent resource for those moms out there who are married to men who aren't as involved in their family as they'd like.

Full review: http://proudbooknerd.com/2011/10/19/r...

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Oct 11, 2011 Coranne (The Best Books Ever) rated it 5 of 5 stars

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About Carla Anne Coroy

Carla Anne Coroy is a Christian speaker and blogger, and the author of Married Mom, Solo Parent . She ministers to a wide audience through her website and blog at carlaanne.com.

Carla Anne has served full-time with organizations such as Youth for Christ and Crown Financial Ministries, and is currently developing an international mentoring organization for youth and a ministry to wives who parent al...more

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