Momaholic

by Dena Higley

Every mom has felt the need to be perfect. MOMAHOLIC is one woman’s private, dramatic, and often comical invitation to peek inside a time in her life where everything fell apart and she had to take an honest look at what she was doing right and what she’d been doing terribly wrong. With this simple discovery, her whacky family’s season of becoming unraveled found a new glue (other than her blood, sweat and tears) that would re-bond her family and unite them in a deeper and more functional way than ever before. The real life This is a story showing the speed with which a “normal” family can fall apart. No one dies. No one gets kidnapped. They just have to deal with each of their own issues….and then one unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. This was a church-going family whose kids were taught abstinence until marriage. With the family running around as the tornado sirens roared warnings to take cover, mother, Miss Drama, becomes the biggest mess of all and ends up finding a whole new freedom for her soul.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

235 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

No

[Marlena Oechsner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. It was meh. One moms journey and it's hard to relate to.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A “nice” book, it is mostly a personal summary account of the author’s parenting journey. It has a few tips to help you identify if you are a helicopter parent and encouragement to step back. Also there is a strong theme of Christianity, but not overwhelmingly so, in most cases you could substitute any religion or spiritual leaning and it would still make sense. Not a step by step guide, more like a gentle if you do this try this instead and your family and yourself will be happier for it, as you work towards Not being a helicopter parent.
Edit: the book did a great job of illustrating the negative aspect of being a helicopter parent. It planted a seed that encouraged me to evaluate my parenting methods, in a very subtle way it was really eye opening.

[Joana Felício · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must start this review by saying that I have no idea why I chose this book from Booksneeze. I’ve never heard of ‘Days of Our Lives’, because I live in Portugal, so it wasn’t because I recognized Dena Highley and it isn't even because I'm a mom(aholic)... because I'm not even a mom.
So why choose this book? I don't know, but I really don't regret it.
Synopsis:
«Soap writer Dena Higley was all things to all people. A wife, mother of four, and head writer for Days of Our Lives, Dena ably hovered over the numerous people and responsibilities in her life, eager to right every wrong and fulfill every need. But when her very “normal” family began to spiral out of control, Dena soon became the central character in her own real-life drama, and a night spent in the ER made her realize that her pursuit of perfection was backfiring big time.
Momaholic is one woman’s private, dramatic, and often comical invitation to peek inside a time in her life where everything fell apart and she had to take an honest look at what she was doing right and what she’d been doing terribly wrong. With this simple discovery, her whacky family’s season of becoming unraveled found a new glue (other than her blood, sweat and tears) that would re-bond her family and unite them in a deeper and more functional way than ever before.
The real life characters:
* A MOM who is literally the head writer of a network soap opera… at work and at home
* A HUSBAND who expects perfection from his kids and his wife, but who has the wisdom to know he’s being unrealistic and yet, can’t help but scratch his head in frustration as his family’s troubles seem to spiral out of his control
* An autistic SON
* A popular DAUGHTER who is suddenly pregnant
* An ADOPTED DAUGHTER pulled from the jungles of Vietnam with no leg below the right knee and fingers fused together
* An ADOPTED SON from Ethiopia, rescued from the streets at the age of 9.
This is a story showing the speed with which a “normal” family can fall apart. No one dies. No one gets kidnapped. They just have to deal with each of their own issues….and then one unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. This was a church-going family whose kids were taught abstinence until marriage. With the family running around as the tornado sirens roared warnings to take cover, mother, Miss Drama, becomes the biggest mess of all and ends up finding a whole new freedom for her soul.»

I loved this book. It teached me so much about motherhood and what to expect when I have my own kids, one day.
In ‘Momaholic’ Dena Higley took self-help books to a whole new level, it’s a humorous perspective on the most beautiful and difficult job in the world… being a mom. It made me respect my mother (and all of the moms out there) like I had never respected before.
So thank you, Dena Higley, for this inspirational story about, not only your kids, but about your career and life itself.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because it said: "Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Mom" on the front cover. As a mom myself I always like to learn about other moms, and there's just that connection as well that plays a huge factor. What I really enjoyed about this book is it isn't an ordinary self-help book. I wouldn't even really categorize it as a self-help book at all really, but the author does give some meaningful advice in tidbits throughout the novel. Mainly this is just the author telling her story about how her life spiraled out of control, and how she took back control. It's not a lecture, it's not a self-help, it's just confessions of a mom that got a bit overwhelmed.
Head writer of Days of Our Lives Dina soon finds out that her daughter is pregnant and engaged! Did I mention the daughter just barely started her college journey? She also has an adopted daughter that has to be carried everywhere due to a surgery, an adopted son who is very active, and a biological son with autism. Of course it would be easy for her to get overwhelmed! I can't believe she held it together as long as she did to be honest! But of course things began to unravel eventually. I will let you read the story yourself to see how things unfold, and how she copes. I would recommend it to all moms out there who feel that we have to constantly be perfect. I learned a lot from this book, but mainly I learned that by trying to be a "perfect" mom and a "perfect" wife is highly impractical. We can only do our very best. And sometimes we just have to relinquish control for our health and our families.
This book is told from a Christian perspective, but in no way preaches. As a matter of fact the author points out that many of their close friends come from all types of backgrounds and beliefs.
The only thing I did not like about this book is the fact that it seemed as if the author was a bit harsh when mentioning her son Conner, with autism, at times. Of course maybe it's just my perspective of things. But of course her love for all of her children shows throughout the novel so I don't want it to sound as if I'm bashing in any way.
I still think this book is a fantastic read for all mother's, it is easy to relate to and you can snatch some snippets of wisdom here and there. After all who doesn't get stressed out a bit from juggling the world of being a wife, mommy, homemaker, employee, whatever your occupation? There's even a neat quiz at the end of the book that helps you discover if your a helicopter mom (one who hovers over her children and feels the need to do everything) or not.
(Incase your wondering I took the quiz, and I guess I'm a bit of a helicopter mom)


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DISCLAIMER: I was provided this book for free through Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review. Opinions expressed are mine alone.>

[Lenore Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well top of the morning to everyone today. I woke to a phone call from College Girl. She was filling me in on her next activity. Graduation is only a week and a half away. So proud for her. She is so nervous. So much to do. And of course I am dying to go and help her.
Yeah, I confess....I am a Momaholic! Next week I will get to go and help her pack up her apartment and move her things back home for storage. I do not think she will be with us but a week or two at most before moving on. Either with a new job or out looking. She has some sources to help her get started.

So are you a Momaholic too? Should we go to MA? Who would take care of the family while we were away? Dena Higley, a very real mom, confesses not only to MA but that ever scary term....Helicopter Mom. You know the ones. Hoovering around their kiddos, jumping in all the time to do for them. Helping them to the point you wonder just which one is learning and which one is parenting. Now I admit I have my terrible helicopter moments. College Girl can attest to that I am sure. But, I hate to think I have been too much all of the time.

Momaholic is Dena’s comical peek in her life when everything fell apart. She shares a story of how she had to reassess what her role was as mom. And how she could really be the glue her family needed.
The real life characters:
* A MOM who is literally the head writer of a network soap opera
* A HUSBAND who expects perfection but wise to know he’s being unrealistic.
* An autistic SON
* A popular DAUGHTER who is suddenly pregnant
* An ADOPTED DAUGHTER from Vietnam with no leg below the knee and fingers fused
* An ADOPTED SON from Ethiopia, rescued from the streets at the age of 9
This is a story showing the a “normal” family can fall apart. Miss Drama, becomes the biggest mess of all and ends up finding a whole new freedom for her soul. Pretty good if you ask me. We all know the family that looks perfect. But do we see what is really going on in the walls of the house? Pretty good can often be the cover for "Lord help us!"

[Aisha Oaktree · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Full Review here**

I enjoyed this book, I got a few chuckles and even thought about things I never thought of before. Now granted this book is written from a Christian perspective and the author discussed her faith a bit, but it wasn't a 'preach to the masses' kind of book, she simply shared how her faith helped her navigate through her life.

Even as I read I took a few notes and these are the things that occurred to me while reading, many of them she answered and many more are for each of us to ponder, but mostly I loved that she pointed out that many women who are mothers are setting themselves up for some serious disasters later on in life. She got down and dirty about what she was doing wrong and how she learnt the hard way to fix it. I loved that she didn't attempt to make it seem as if her life was better because she lived a certain way or went to a certain church, she shared the good the bad and the ugly about her family and her life and what gave her the strength to make it through those tough spots and come out better on the other side. I personally think if more people shared their stories this way then more people would be willing to listen to them instead of writing them off because they are attempting to say they are better than everyone else because of their chosen faith.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Momaholic – Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Parent by Dena Higley. I am not even sure why I picked this book from the lineup of available books to read from the Booksneeze program at Thomas Nelson. Maybe it was the most interesting? It sure wasn't about the cover, and it definitely wasn't pegged as fiction. I am not a mom of any sort, don't watch tv, never mind soaps so it wasn't because I knew Dena's name from there or knew I was a helicopter mom. But none the less, I am glad I did, and will be telling my mom friends about this one.
Dena writes with humor in about every line, for sure in every situation, though some of the situations are no laughing matter. She is very honest, and not afraid to tell it like it is, bad parts with the good. I would think that any parent, whether caught up in hovering over their children to the point of unhelathy hovering, or just starting will find relief and help in reading this book. No, I would not call this a self-help book, just sharing from one frazzled mother to the next.
The book is well written, and a joy to read.

I received this book free through Thomas Nelsons's Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review, which I have done. The opinions are my own.

[Tami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book and I hate to say it, but I didn't like this book very much.

Written by a Christian mom who had many challenges that come with raising special needs kids, going thru foreign adoption, and a teenage unwed mother for a daughter, you would expect to hear a few words about God or prayer.But other than a couple of cursory words , so we know she knows the Lord, we never hear anything more.
I expected to hear about leaning on God, praying aloud for help when adopting these children, crying out for guidance when faced with autism, but instead I kept reading a series of compliments the author gives herself.

I was very disappointed in this quick read and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. In order to recommend a book I need to be challenged by it or to have had "fun" reading it- Neither happened with this book.


http://www.agodlyhomemaker.com/2012/0...

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I used to work for Dena Higley and I have met her family. They are a lovely, lively bunch. Dena was a good boss (at least to me) and an animated storyteller. That said, I enjoyed her memoir. It felt as if she was dispensing good natured advice over a cup of coffee. Dena's witty, warm and tough personality infuses this book. The intent of the book, I believe, was to act as a cautionary tale: Don't be a helicopter parent or else you will lose your idenity and add strain to your marriage. Dena writes honestly as to how she ended up in that place and eventually out of it, but I never quite got her "aha" moment--or how she truly resolved those feelings. I assume it's a work in progress, but the reader never gets that sense toward the end.

[Laura Myers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother reading this book. I read it as a book review and I was expecting something great.....instead I was like "what's so different about this mom than any other mom?" Nothing except that she was a writer for Day of our lives. Things happen to every mom.....no mom is exempt...it's just every day life. Definitely a book I will be giving away.
At the end she basically said she wasn't working anymore and hoping that sales from the book would sustain her. Fat chance on that one. Don't waste your money on it.

[Laurel Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dena Higley normalizes the struggle that all moms--and parents in general--go through in protecting our children. But when is enough enough? Dena shows us that we don't have to be perfect to be good moms.
I received this book from BookSneeze.

[Marlena · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was horrible. I thought it would be a funny nice read; it was anything but.