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58th out of 104 books
—
11 voters
Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry
by
Katrina Kenison (Goodreads Author),
Melanie Marder Parks
As mothers today we are faced with a daunting list of responsibilities. How easy it is to simply rush headlong through our lives, slaves to our daily obligations, and in the process race our children through their childhood. But there is a better way... In Mitten Strings for God, Katrina Kenison shares her own search for a more satisfying balance in her life. The result is...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
April 1st 2002
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published 2000)
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When I first heard of Katrina Kenison's book, Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry, I mentally brushed it off. With such a title, I expected the book to proselytize religious beliefs. When the book showed up in my mailbox from the publisher, I picked it up with apprehension, and found I was pleasantly surpirsed.
There are a handful of religious references in the book, but Kenison mentions them only in context to her life and never comes out and says anything definitive about...more
There are a handful of religious references in the book, but Kenison mentions them only in context to her life and never comes out and says anything definitive about...more
I read this and Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother at the same time and it was such a stark contrast! I read Tiger Mother in about 24 hours and this one took me a few weeks, which is appropriate because Mitten Strings is about taking time to enjoy the day, noticing the little things, appreciating the quiet, being still, meditating and appreciating. Tiger Mother is Go! Go! Go!
If you like Anne Morrow Lindbergh, or feel overscheduled, or could just use a reminder of the beauties of motherhood, I reco...more
If you like Anne Morrow Lindbergh, or feel overscheduled, or could just use a reminder of the beauties of motherhood, I reco...more
1 like · like · see review
"I've learned that even a small shift in my own thinking usually has a more powerful effect on my day-to-day life than any full-scale attempt at self-improvement.
"This is one thing motherhood has taught me: Living according to my values does not necessarily mean being rigid in my convictions about what's 'right.' Sometimes our children's needs do not coincide neatly with our own beliefs. And therein lies a challenge. Do I try to control every aspect of our family environments, or do I allow oth...more
"This is one thing motherhood has taught me: Living according to my values does not necessarily mean being rigid in my convictions about what's 'right.' Sometimes our children's needs do not coincide neatly with our own beliefs. And therein lies a challenge. Do I try to control every aspect of our family environments, or do I allow oth...more
Memoir? Check.
Musings on motherhood? Check.
Final chapter that made me cry? Check.
My oldest is closing in on 4 years old, and I already feel like he's too grown up! I found this book at the right time - the last week or so, my 3-year-old and I have spent several afternoons laying on the hammock, sometimes reading and sometimes just listening. That hour of time with his mommy makes him happier than any new toy, TV show, or sports lesson ever could. This book assures mothers of what we already know...more
Musings on motherhood? Check.
Final chapter that made me cry? Check.
My oldest is closing in on 4 years old, and I already feel like he's too grown up! I found this book at the right time - the last week or so, my 3-year-old and I have spent several afternoons laying on the hammock, sometimes reading and sometimes just listening. That hour of time with his mommy makes him happier than any new toy, TV show, or sports lesson ever could. This book assures mothers of what we already know...more
This book is another book club book. It's completely perfect for where I am in my life right now. Kenison is a working Mom, raised during the feminist movement, who has chosen to slow her life down and really be mindful of the fleeting time she has with two sweet little spirits. Kenison has re-prioritized her life around finding joy, simplicity, and peace while nurturing her children and her own inner spirit. The book reminds me a bit of The Creative Family although it is focused more on finding...more
As a mother of children the same age as Ms. Kenison's I was interested to see what she had to say. I was captivated. Ms. Kenison said so much that resonated with me concerning raising your children. Don't get me wrong this is not a parenting book so much as a gentle suggestion book. This is a bit like a gentle conversation filled with musings from a good friend over coffee. I highly reccommend this book to any parent witha spiritual bent.
This book was a relaxing, peaceful read. Excellent example to work constantly to prioritize and have our lives reflect what we want and believe in. I've heard some that thought that this book was too "idealistic" and I see what they mean. The author paints a very rosy picture of family life. But I loved that it gave a glimpse of how important the choices we make as mothers are for our kids and homes. Great mothering pick-me-up.
This is a book that I started reading as we were trying to choose our church Mom's group book for a book discussion (I am co-leader). While we didn't choose this one, I still wanted to finish reading it. This is a book about embracing our children while they are young because they grow up so fast. I enjoyed all of the topics author Katrina Kenison touched on and many points she made were points I can truly identify with.
I must say that I really didn't like this book. I felt it was VERY self righteous and incredibley unrealistic. She acts like she prances after her children, playing a flute and showering them with flowers. She never mentions the fact that she works so they are likely in daycare, never mentions the laundry or the million other things to get done. She talks about all their activities and then says you shouldn't have them in too many activities. I felt it was hypocritical by omission. In our family...more
1 like · like · see review
The title is gag-inducing and based on it and the book's cover I never would have picked it up on my own. It sounds too much like a Hallmark store gift-with-purchase. On a friend's recommendation, though, I picked it up from the library and was thoroughly challenged, inspired, and moved. The author's thoughts on mothering and family life are so close to mine, though much better thought out and more clearly and beautifully stated. I prefer books like this, moments in time captured plus thoughts a...more
I am going to return this to the library and pick up a copy for myself. Just after reading the first few chapters, I knew it was a book I would want to come back to. It is one of those books to read every few months just to slow down your mind, bring your focus back to what is important and really get some warm-and-fuzzies about being a mommy and the blessings of having a family.
1 like · like · see review
Loved this book. Although I'm not in 100% agreement with her logic w/no tv, we have scaled back dramatically and it has made a huge difference in the quality of our lives since computers, ipods, television in general tends to take over our lives. Highly recommend it, especially to busy, working mothers who want a reminder to slow down and cherish every moment.
Sep 24, 2009
Melanie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
moms
Recommended to Melanie by:
Karen Barnes
This was a quick read for moms. (Don't let the title deter you - what the crap? Who names a book using the words "mitten strings???") My aunt recommended it when she saw I had read "I Am a Mother." This one was more of a reprimand to moms who don't spend enough time and energy being moms. But in a good way. It just makes you realize how much value there is in just being present in your kids' lives. This book was a little more of a how-to book than "I Am a Mother" was. Parts of it were a little w...more
3 likes · like · see review
My online buddy, Merrick, sent this book to me when I became a mother. I didn't pick it up immediately, because the title led me to believe it was religious in nature & that was simply not at the top of my list with a little baby at home. She encouraged me to read it, though, so I opted to bring it with me on vacation. It was actually a delightful read, with almost nothing to do about religion! It was, instead, a thoughtful reflection from a mother about what experiences she chose to include...more
This book has the lamest title in the history of books, but I really enjoyed her thoughts on motherhood and slowing down so you can authentically enjoy it. She reminds you to find joy in the simple and mundane tasks that are a necessary part of motherhood.
This book really made me reevaluate my life and what is important each day. It helped me to take a step back and contemplate what is really important in the day-to-day for my children. It was excellent--I highly recommend it.
It's amazing how much I relate to this book. In this day and age I have taught my children to live simply and to entertain themselves with the arts. We really don't watch a lot of TV...we probably could live without it!
Sometimes the perfect book finds you at the most opportune time and this was one of those books for me. I stumbled very accidentally across a book review for this author's newest book and when I went to Interlibrary Loan it, this older book popped up, too. I somehow managed to order this book and not the new book. I thought it might be more biblically- or religion-based, but it was not. It has a lot of very short-readable chapters and nearly every single one spoke to me. This is a book I would c...more
I keep reading these books about slowing down and enjoying my children and I still come away telling my kids to hurry up. The focus of this book is slowing down, cutting unnecessary things out of your family's life, and nuturing the important things in your children. I think the author had some great suggestions that I will hopefully be able to use, but she also talked about a lot of things that were great for her two boys in New England which would be totally unrealistic for my two girls in Nor...more
Great for any mother to glean great things to apply in ones life as a mother. Loved it!
Beautiful book, I reference it a lot. Especially the pretzel recipe....
this book was mentioned by my yoga teacher, so I thought I'd try it out. It's really aimed at mothers with older children than mine (at least elementary school, I'd think), but the underlying message (don't overschedule your family, don't be afraid to say "no" to obligations in order to gain more quality family time) rings true at any age. There wasn't much in here that I hadn't read before, but it was nice to have a reminder and I would definitely recommend this book to some of the overschedule...more
God awful title, but amazing book!
I received this book from my mother-in-law and almost didn't read it because the cover and title are so incredibly cheesy. However, this book has become my all time favorite book about parenting and I have given it to quite a few new mothers.
The book really examines what it is to be a parent and reminds us to slow down and enjoy the short, exhausting, and precious time of being parents to young children.
I am currently re-reading/discussing with my sister. Just a...more
I received this book from my mother-in-law and almost didn't read it because the cover and title are so incredibly cheesy. However, this book has become my all time favorite book about parenting and I have given it to quite a few new mothers.
The book really examines what it is to be a parent and reminds us to slow down and enjoy the short, exhausting, and precious time of being parents to young children.
I am currently re-reading/discussing with my sister. Just a...more
The name of this book is a little deceptive, there isn't much about religion or god in the content (but I knew that going in). Instead it's a sweet book that leans toward grass roots parenting, slowing down, and living a back to basics lifestyle. Fans of Waldorf education will like this book.
I agree with the criticism that this book doesn't address the "nitty-gritty" stuff of real life and parenting. The author does seem to live in an idyllic world void of dirty dishes, broken down cars and bil...more
I agree with the criticism that this book doesn't address the "nitty-gritty" stuff of real life and parenting. The author does seem to live in an idyllic world void of dirty dishes, broken down cars and bil...more
I liked the principles set forth in this book. The idea of more unscheduled time with family and children is such a wonderful one. The only "criticism" I had was that I would have liked to see a bit more of the "hard" about mothering. It wasn't all roses but a lot roses. I was impressed by the world the author created for her boys and love it but also wondered if it would be realistic to provide all of those opportunities if you had more children in your family...
All in all I think mothers shoul...more
All in all I think mothers shoul...more
A friend recommended this book to me, and I'm so glad she did. Kenison gives readers a thoughtful memoir and helpful tips to slow down, create sacred time/space for our families and children, and drives home the message that our time is the most precious gift we can give to our kids.
The title is not indicative of the contents of the book. "Mitten Strings for God" came from something Kenison's young son said to her in one of their sweet moments together. The book has little to do with God and no...more
The title is not indicative of the contents of the book. "Mitten Strings for God" came from something Kenison's young son said to her in one of their sweet moments together. The book has little to do with God and no...more
May 07, 2011
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
book-club,
self-improvement-parenting
I loved this book! She painted a beautiful picture of what a home/family can be. I was tempted to knock the rating down. At times I felt some animosity towards the author and her seemingly "perfect" family, ideas, and ability to put it all into action,etc. I fully realize that this was due to jealousy on my part because her pretty little picture doesn't seem possible at this point in my life. I have to take into account the atmosphere that my brother is trying to provide for his children and the...more
Wow! This book was recommended by a friend and it will now be my new highly recommended read for all Moms. This book is beautifully written, with rich, colorful words and visions into the life of the writer that make you yearn to slow your pace, as she has. Despite the many gorgeously written paragraphs of scenes her family has experienced since simplifying her life, she never once comes of as preachy or unattainable. In fact, the many far-from-perfect experiences she shares fro her own mistake...more
I liked it in that she made me think about what I wanted my own home to "feel" like. I appreciated her chapter on quiet. She says to not be afraid of quiet and for some reason that was a fear of mine ,that somehow Brady won't grow up to be smart unless words are being thrown at him all the time. On Saturday I tested her theory out. Brady and I got into the car and I immediately turned off the radio. After a couple minutes, Brady started to jabber away! (Brady hardly every speaks). Perhaps, Brady...more
This is worthwhile reading if you are contemplating parenthood or have children already. Written from a mother's perspective, I believe it would prove valuable for any father as well--at least to get a female viewpoint. The central theme is Slow Down. Imagining Kenison with her boys is a pleasure as she writes of quiet, self-directed fulfillment of time (I hesitate to use the word activities). I will definitely give this to my daughters when the time is right for each one.
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KATRINA KENISON has been the annual editor of The Best American Short Stories since 1990. Along with John Updike, she edited The Best American Short Stories of the Century, a New York Times bestseller. Also the coeditor of Mothers: Twenty Stories of Contemporary Motherhood, she has written essays that have appeared in such publications as Redbook and Ladies' Home Journal. Katrina Kenison lives out...more
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“we can learn to trust our maternal selves and to have faith in the innate goodness and purity of our children - even when we feel overwhelmed and the kids are pushing all our buttons. we can support one another....we can be understanding of each other and easier on ourselves.”
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9 people liked it
“We are the windows through which our children first see the world. Let us be conscious of the view.”
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1 person liked it
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May 26, 2011 11:27am