book data
209 ratings,
4.33
average rating, 75 reviews
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published
April 1st 2002
(first published 2000)
by Warner Books
binding
Paperback, 240 pages
isbn
0446676934
(isbn13: 9780446676939)
description
In an age when "keeping up with the Joneses" refers not only to material riches but also to a whirlwind of activities, author Katrina Keniso...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 298)
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5 stars (113)
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4 stars (62)
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3 stars (27)
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2 stars (5)
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1 star (2)
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avg 4.33
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
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.
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Read in January, 2002
Lovely, lovely. Quaint. Wish I could raise my kids just like this. Really. I can't. But I take it with a grain of salt and learn from it and it touches heartstrings, rings true, and inspires me, and I will do some of these things. It's not a how-to book by any means, but just what the subtitle says, reflections.
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
moms like shannon, tracy, ann, or someone looking for a gift for a harried young mom
I would have passed this book by based on the title(apologies to the author). The word mittenstrings made it sound like a cozy, cutesy book for moms and the subtitle "reflections for mothers in a hurry" brought up visions of other books like "Getting God in 30 seconds betweens brushing your teeth and flossing on your way out the door to a meeting." I could not have been more wrong about a book! This book is all about s-l-o-w-i-n-g down and digging in to your present life. ...more
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Read in June, 2004
This is one of those books which is a delight to read cover to cover upon first discovering it, and which is like a comforting bath to re-read periodically. Both calming and refreshing, it will renew you on your mothering journey. There are many "ah-ha" moments and for me it serves to remind and reinforce me that I am on the right path. I love the reflective quality of her writing style as well as how she offers guidance and suggestions for parenting, without making you feel hopeless o...more
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Read in February, 2009
This was so good that I had to buy a copy of it. It was a breath of fresh air, a focusing moment, a peaceful place...I really liked it, I don't think I'll include all of her ideas in my life, but I liked the approach of deliberate living.
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Read in May, 2009
I finally finished this little book. My sister recommended it and actually bought it for me as a Mothers Day Gift. I did enjoy much of the book and found it refreshing to read a book on motherhood that emphasized time together, peace, slowing down, and just "being." It made me feel more confident in some of the things I place important in motherhood that society in large seems to devalue. There were times however when I felt like I was being preached to and I didn't like that. I may be...more
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Read in December, 2008
I really like this book and after reading my friend's copy twice over the last 8 years I finally bought my own. A gentle, make you want to be a better mom, kind of book. Non fiction by the way. It is a collection of essays.
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06/06/09
Carrie
is currently reading it
Read in June, 2009
I'm having trouble finishing this book. I'm not sure I believe she does all of the things that she says. We read it for book club. I'm determined to finish it, so I'll let you know if I still feel the same way later.
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Read in November, 2008
Provided the perspective i needed right when i needed it most. This is one of the few books i'll actually keep to return to for simple reminders of how to slow down and savor my family and our lives.
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Read in May, 2006
recommended to Stephanie by:
rachel jacobsen
I can't quite say that this book changed my thinking on homemaking and motherhood. But when I read it, it was like a lightbulb clicked on. I'd been having vague thoughts along those same lines for a while, and "mitten strings" helped them to gel, or crystallize, or whatever.
The whole premise is that we rush and rush and try really hard to distract ourselves from our lives. But children grow fast, and life moves on, and before we know it, we're left in the dust. Instead, the...more
The whole premise is that we rush and rush and try really hard to distract ourselves from our lives. But children grow fast, and life moves on, and before we know it, we're left in the dust. Instead, the...more
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Read in March, 2009
recommended to Julie by:
Christy Wilsonrecommends it for: ALL MOMS
I loved this book for so many reasons and would recommend it to all mothers. I started reading it very quickly because I was enjoying it so much, then really took her message to heart and read it a little slower so that I could get more out of it. I love it because she inspires me to slow down and enjoy mothering a little more by example, instead of being preachy. Her stories are all true and real life. I thought the chapter on the Sabbath was a little funny because we already have such high sta...more
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This is a habit-changing book. I'm in the middle of reading it, but I already know it's one of my all-time favorite books. It's all about simplifying your life so you can enjoy your family more. I've been over-scheduling our family for too long and am really starting to feel the effects of it. The author of this book is a mom who started cutting back (with her husband's help) on all the activities that were taking the family in different directions and centered the family in each other and in qu...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in March, 2006
recommended to Megan by:
my mother-in-lawrecommends it for: moms
This book is wonderfully written. It's very sweet and endearing. It talks about slowing life down and living (which we can't hear enough these days!) and enjoying our children. Katrina Kenison is really good at getting you right there in the moment she's talking about. She's a very visual writer. This book brought back so many of my happy childhood memories that I want my children to have. This is a good one to read over and over, since slowing down is something we are continually trying to do....more
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Read in September, 2008
Slow down. Just slow down and enjoy your kids. What I liked most about the book were Kenison's suggestions for creating magic and wonder in your children's lives - things like leaving out porridge for the house brownie (including a recipe for the porridge) so that the brownie will look after the little things around the house - broken toys, missing items, etc. She also shares a great mealtime rule which we've implemented - no complaining about what's been served (so the focus is about being toge...more
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Read in January, 2000
I loved this book.
I think of it when I realize my life is being run by something other than me.
I think of it when I realize my life is being run by something other than me.
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Read in November, 2008
Mitten Strings taught me to slow down and recognize the ordinary as extraordinary.
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Carlei by:
Margi
I wish I could be this mom in real life. Her approaches to parenthood are so thoughtful and calming to read. I can see why my friend says she reads this regularly, as it has many good reminders on how to better appreciate and maximize the time you have with your kids. It read a little like short stories and was not at all "preachy." In reality, however, with young kids and my husband, I can't see myself implementing many of the ideas in the book that I would like to. I still learned al...more
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Read in August, 2008
Oh, how I love and cherish this little book and find myself coming back to it time and again for its timeless gems of wisdom and nourishment. Written by a mother for all mothers searching to move at a slower pace, dwell in the powerful simplicity of our present moments and say 'no' more often --I'd give this book 6 stars if I could! A dear friend of mine keeps a copy of this book in her car for moments when a little inspiration is needed; one can turn to any page and receive a generous amount,...more
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quotes from this book
"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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