A Joyful Mother of Children: The Magic and Mayhem of Motherhood

by Linda Eyre

Is it possible to be a joyful mother of children? Is it possible to be a sane mother of children - especially when locked out of the house in your nightgown while your two and three-year-old girls sit in the bathtub watching the water run higher and higher? With a healthy sense of humor, a prayer in your heart, and a solid sense of worth, yes, it is possible, writes author Linda J. Eyre. And she ought to know. A mother of nine, Linda Eyre provides valuable insight to the hardest yet most rewarding career of all - Motherhood.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Self Help, Religion, Childrens, Lds Non Fiction, Adult

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

As writers, lecturers, and grassroots and media catalysts, Linda and Richard Eyre's mission statement is: FORTIFY FAMILIES by Popularizing Parenting, Validating Values, and Bolstering Balance. Their latest efforts in these directions are their new books, The Happy Family (St. Martins Press,), Empty Nest Parenting (Bookcraft,) and The Book of Nurturing (McGraw Hill,), and their regular appearances on The CBS Early Show.

Linda is a teacher and musician who was named by The National Council of Women as one of America's Six Outstanding Young Women. Largely because of her, the Eyre family was named the Western U. S. "Musical Family of the Year."

Richard and Linda have nine children (one of every kind) and live in Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City.

Reviews

[Beth Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended to me by a friend, so much so that I found my own (used) copy on half.com and dug into it despite a growing pile of other books I've got checked out from the library right now. Ashley promised lots of practical advice on how to help yourself be a better mother to your kids, and what young mom doesn't need that?

The introduction started out promising; even though Linda Eyre has nine kids (which automatically launches her into "supermom" status in my mind) she was funny and "approachable."

Then came, like, a hundred pages describing some experiences I found almost impossible to relate to. Trips with her older teens and young adult children to Africa, Bolivia, etc. ... really? Leaving children to go speak at conferences around the country? Yeah, this is NOT like my life at all! The writing wasn't terribly good through this section (it kind of felt like I was reading through somebody's blog or something -- not bad writing, but, like I said, not terribly good), and the "lessons" she learned seemed only tenuously connected to anything in my actual life.

And this is the first hundred pages.

I kept plugging through, though, and got to the "gold" that my friend Ashley promised. The second half of this book is chock full of good tips and ideas for young mothers to think about, from the small to the big:

* ask school-aged children for the time they take their big test, and then pray for them during that time

* have children share their spiritual experiences on a regular basis (teach them that spiritual experiences can be small or big)

* take time once a week to plan the coming week, setting goals and calendaring out when you will accomplish them

* take time to be alone (crucial for a young mother!); take time to do what you're passionate about (outside of mothering); take time to exercise

* teach children responsibility, especially as they begin the school years

* simplify: don't make things more complicated than they need to be

* the "touch once" rule to help keep things orderly: e.g., when using salt in a recipe, take it out, add the salt, and put it back; don't set it on the counter where you'll have to take the time to put it away later

* meet regularly with your husband to talk about the children, assessing how they're doing spiritually, physically, socially, etc.

* keep a list of blessings rather than complaining

(And there's more, but those are just some of my favorites.) :-)

So do find a copy of this and read through it, but seriously -- save yourself some time and start on page 117!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good ideas and a few gems and funny stories I took away from this book. I laugh a bit at how much of an 80s mom you can tell she is - stuff they did back then that you'd never get away with now! Of course it's nice to hear that her life was crazy too and that she'd yell at her kids sometimes or whatever and they all turned out great.

I think it was a bit overwhelming to me personally how many "systems" they seem to have. At first I was like - oh this is a good idea... then by the end I was like - more systems? More structured this or that? I'm sure with 9 kids that's how you have to be. I just don't know if I'd ever list my day down to the minute or have certain things we do on certain days of the week. I may think differently when my kids are older and I have more to keep track of though. But it did make me think that some lists and goals and structure would be good - especially with the things you want to teach your children. I found myself realizing if you don't think that out and set goals and times for it to happen you probably just realize one day that your kids are grown and you're not sure you taught them what you wanted them to learn.

I did think it was really good for me to see some of her examples of how a faithful family deals with things, getting answers, prayer, that kind of thing. Made me want to step it up a little.

I guess I also just realize no mothering book is going to have all the answers and solve your life like you wish they would! I didn't always love her writing style (but hey, I don't love my own either) and thought some of it was just her telling cool stories about her life and then tying it in to motherhood for a sentence or two. I'd be interested in reading some of their other books though.

[Tani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book! What a breath of fresh air to read a book from a mom who is honest about her struggles and triumphs. I was in desperate need of instruction on schedules and routines. I wrote pages of notes! It also made me want to have a large family because her life seems so busy and fun! (I don't know how long that feeling will last though- haha.) This book wasn't just pure instruction either though-- the stories made me laugh and tear up. I would recommend this book to any mom who has a child over 2 or multiple children.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eyresfreebooks.com

The Eyres have somehow maintained rights to all of their books and are attempting to post them all. You can read them free online, $2 kindle edition or $5 tade paperback. They haven't loaded them all yet, but are still in the process. I read the original 1983 edition of this book, not the 2000 edition that is listed here, but it should be the same deal.

I loved this book. It was good to know that she spent a significant amount of time cajoling, refereeing and yes, even yelling with her seven children. It was a short easy read. There were a few ideas that I hadn't considered, but most of it was not new for me. Much didn't apply since I also educate my children at home and therefore have less bustle in the morning and afternoon, but more during school hours. However, she is a strong advocate for meditation and personal growth while you are in the crucible of mothering young children, which I also have strong feelings about.

It didn't receive more stars because I think, while she adequately described the potential disasters of mothering, she did not adequately deal with the fallout of some of that. She spent a good deal of time at the end talking about changing her thoughts to feel more joy...what about those of us who have such high expectations that our brains have gotten stuck? Of course, this is in the days before much acknowledgment of PPD, so maybe it is just a context issue.

She said many good things. I would recommend it for mothers of large families. :-)

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again I will say I love this author. This book applies to the mother of young children (she has 9). Highly recommend, especially when you are trying to figure out what mothers are, the importance of them, how to do it, how to not go crazy and frazzl-y. (not a word).

I feel such a need to help other new mothers feel some support. A quote from the book: "The longer I live, the more I realize how vitally important a happy childhood and a joyful mother (at least sometimes) is for the long-term well-being of a child..... You young mothers need to know that what you are doing is crucial, refining, and heroic."
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for saying these words author Linda Eyre. We need to shout them from the rooftops!
She also says, "I have calculated that a mother of three children, who each have three children, will directly influence about a hundred and twenty lives in four generations of the first hundred or so years of this new millennium." Talk about pressure.:) I heartily recommend this book.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother read this book after having her fourth child and feeling overwhelmed and a bit crazy. She sent it to me after I had my fourth and was feeling the same way. It was full of ideas, the main one being to do whatever it takes to get away and make time for yourself. Although it was a little bit preachy, and her circumstances weren't same as mine, I felt I could be happy and find my way out of the darkness that had started to creep into my life.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like Mother books that are written by a mother of one or two kids or one written out of nostalgia because a lot of times that don't seem to pertain to me. Linda Eyre was great to read because she offered good advice but she also added sympathy where needed. I felt like someone understood!

[Summer Fernandez Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book. I liked it a lot more last time. Linda Eyre had some empowering points on motherhood, however I felt like I had to wade through too many of her personal stories that weren't cogent. It is also highly possible I was just in a bad mood.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried, and this is my new manual on motherhood. Seriously, if I didn't have so many other books to read, I think I'd just set this one on repeat...but in any case, I DEFINITELY will be reading this again - - probably often! It lifted me up and changed me.

[DixieJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can be a good Mom and still have bad days!

[Lauren Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here are all the quotes that spoke to me. Perhaps, if you don't have time to read the book, this condensed version may help you:

"The best secret weapon is praise." (chapter 7 title)

-->"Step back for a minute and ask yourself how you are making your husband and children feel. In fact, take yourself even further back to your own childhood. Remember your bed. What it was like when you woke up in the morning? What was the atmosphere of your home from the time you woke up until you went to school? What about from the time you got home from school until you went to bed? Was the atmosphere positive or negative? Now move to your own home. What is the atmosphere there? Similar, or very different?' (pg. 75)

-->"Theoretically, I know that praise is a secret weapon not only to get something done, but also to give kids self-esteem and confidence. It is remember to apply that principle that's hard." (pg. 77)

-->"In Old Testament times, Isaiah told the people that 'the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek . . . to comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness' (Isaiah 61:1-3). . . . Wrapping someone in a warm 'garment of praise' can change a person's image of himself forever, just as surely as a criticism can crush and destroy." (pg. 81)

"He is half part of a blessed man, left to be finished by such as she; and she is a fair divided excellence, whose fullness of perfection lies in him." [pg. 83 (Shakespeare's King John 2.1.437-40)]

"Be positive, especially when you feel like being negative." (pg. 89)

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 113:9)

-->"I loved the concept of being 'a joyful mother,' mostly because, even though in my heart of hearts I was happy, I kept forgetting to feel joy. In my day-to-day attempts to survive seven children under twelve and a wonderful but hyperactive husband, I felt that one of my greatest needs was to be more joyful." (pg. 118)

-->"In thinking about being a joyful mother, I have re-read and studied Psalm 113:9 and [noticed I only payed attention to part of the verse] because I didn't really like it very much. Somehow it didn't sound fun. It talked about house-keeping and being barren. As far as I knew, being barren meant being unfertile and unable to have children; and my feelings about keeping house have never been very positive. . . . So I simply went with the part that made me feel good." (pg. 118-119)

-->"In perspective [and as I studied and pondered further], I've decided that it does give one joy to keep house. I don't really like the dusting and ironing part very much, although a long day of uninterrupted cleaning, which happens on rare occasions, does give you time to think while you work and a sense of accomplishment when you're finished, even if you'd rather be doing something else." (pg. 119)

-->"But I think 'to keep house' means more than working with Windex and Pledge. To me it means building an atmosphere at home where husband and kids want to be, where they like bringing their friends, where memories are made, and where they can be inspired to fulfill their dreams." (pg. 119)

-->"Next, the word 'barren' needs to be worked out. To my surprise, I looked it up in the dictionary and found an enormous list of synonyms, only two of which were 'unfertile and childless.' In fact, I realized that I could write a chapter about how each synonym of the word barren had described me on different days of my life. . . . Barren: deficient, depleted, bleak, austere, bereft, drained, destitute, empty, exhausted, futile, harsh, hopeless, impoverished, ineffectual, lacking, lonely, simple, unavailing, unproductive, vain, vacant, without, wanting." (pg. 119-120)

-->"If you then plug any of those words in the place of 'barren' into the scripture, along with this new definition of 'keeping house,' this verse in Psalms adds reason and poetry to our lives: 'He maketh the barren (depleted, exhausted) woman to keep house (create a nourishing place for a family to live and love) and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.'" (pg. 120)

"[Homemaking] is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, mines, cars, government, etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes? . . . [The homemaker's job] is the one for which all others exist." (pg. 126 [C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis, ed. W. H. Lewis, pg. 262])

"Life is fragile--handle with prayer." (pg. 139)

-->"To me it seems that prayer is more important to a mother of young children than almost any other single thing." (pg. 143-144)

"The majesty of calmness. . . . overpower them with calmness." (pg. 187-188)

"A soft answer turneth away wrath." (Proverbs 15:1)

You can spend so much time on your home--cleaning and putting things in order--that you neglect the children. Find a system that has a happy medium, that produces a comfortable order level but also involves the principle of 'selective neglect.' I personally don't believe it's possible for a mother with a young family to keep everything perfect all the time. Sometimes, as the 'new' saying goes, 'It isn't pretty being easy.'" (pg. 228)

About music lessons:
-->"I address the subject of music lessons, or any kind of lessons, cautiously because children are so different. Parents are usually too decisive or indecisive, and teachers are a different as night and day." (pg. 172)

-->"How soon your child should begin lessons depends on how perceptive you are to his natural ability, the time you have to commit, and the teachers available. A good teacher can change your child's life, increase his love for music, and teach him self-discipline--a pretty impressive contribution. A poor teacher can squelch his interest and give him a bad taste in his mouth for music--pretty scary. Parents can push too much or not enough. Often we have to depend on intuition and inspiration to get us through the hard decisions." (pg. 172-173)

-->"Don't be afraid to have a long chat with a prospective teach to learn about his philosophy of teaching. Some are geared to making students professionals. Others are more interested in nurturing a love for music as a discipline and source of enjoyment. Decide what you really think is best for your child and then stick to it tenaciously." (pg. 173)

-->"Our music situation may be different than most. Because I was a music education major, I taught the children myself for the first few years. I admit that there were advantages and disadvantages to that. They didn't practice with 'fear-of-teacher-condemnation' in mind as much as they would have otherwise, and it took extra time and organization on my part. On the other hand, however, is saved hours and hours of running kids back and forth to music lessons, and we used that time saved to expose them to other lessons in fields in which I have no expertise." (pg. 173)

-->"With the complications of more children, those days went by the wayside, and we continued to search for great teachers. But I have gained a great respect for the value of teaching your own children something. Use your expertise and pass it on to your children--whether it involves teaching them to read, how to cook, how to handle finances, or how to do math. I'm convinced that you can know your children much better if you understand how they learn." (pg. 173)

-->"In teaching my children music, for instance, I realized that it's much harder for our more artistic children to learn to read notes. I'm amazed at how much easier it is for the calculative, mathematical types to learn notes and to sight-read quickly. On the other hand, the 'soul' that comes out of the artistic child is heartwarming. There can't be a better way to get to know your child as an individual. It is very interesting to see how each child tackles a problem, handles frustration, and reacts to failure as well as triumph." (pg. 174)

-->"It is important to expose your children to as many things as you can--from gymnastics to ballet, from computer programming to dramatics--but remember that there is only one of you and twenty-four hours in a day. Whether they realize it or not, kids would rather have a happy mother at home with them in the afternoons once in a while than all the art lessons in the world. I used to be terrified that I would miss exposing a child to something great that he or she was destined to do, but over the years, I have learned that they gravitate to their passions. All you really need to do is support and encourage them." (pg. 174)

Also, if you want to read a hilarious book by this same author, also about motherhood (and her ultimate 9 children), read I Didn't Mean to Be a Witch.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

On one hand, I seem to have nothing in common with this mother of 9 children who has traveled the world and written many books. Yet, as I read her book, I found that all mothers have so many universal things in common. She made me feel even more proud to be a mother and motivated to enjoy every moment and look at everything as part of a bigger picture. She made me want to appreciate every day because these days, even with their mishaps will be long gone far too soon and will miss these days, hard times and all.

[Rebecca Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not perfect, this book still provides wonderful insight into motherhood in all its stages. It’s inspiring and uplifting. Linda Eyre gives concrete ideas and challenges on how to be more joyful. I feel inspired to be more joyful and intentional in my motherhood. I look forward to going back through this book and implementing her challenges and advice.

[Corianne Becklund · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One of the most glorious things about being a mother is the potential for personal growth."

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I will read again and again.

[Ashlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has many wonderful recommendations that we plan to implement as our family grows in numbers. I highly recommend any new mom read this book.

[Whitney Redfern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed in my life right now. Here are my notes and thoughts on A Joyful Mother of Children..

Prayer 3x a day.
Read my scriptures.
Try to remain calm. Expect that things won't always go perfectly, and then when they don't, I will be mentally prepared.
Spend time alone each week.
Spend extended time alone every few months.
Teach my children responsibility
-"Children will do exactly what they know is expected of them"
SIMPLIFY!
Give the kids a choice of going to bed or reading. Read to them.
Help your children enjoy learning.
EXERCISE
Put yourself first for the benefit of everyone else in the family.
Stick to a good physical fitness program and diet (even while pregnant)
BE FLEXIBLE!
Do things spontaneously
Two skills that produce terrific individuals
1. Listen with your mind and heart and your very soul to what each child wants and needs to become
2. Your ability to observe, to perceive talents and needs by watching your children
Don't force the kids to be like me. Let them have opinions and be themselves.
Go on mama-child dates.
Focus on doing something extra for my husband each week
Sunday sessions might be a good idea
"It's crucial to remember that our first priority in love and care for others should be our husbands"
Share goals and dreams with my husband
Make my marriage a three-way partnership
"No matter what is happening in your life, there is a great deal of joy to be experienced at that moment - if you only take the time to realize it."
Make a conscious effort to be positive.
Compliment my children
"The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated" -William James
"One of the most glorious things about being a mother is the potential for personal growth"

[Jenben8426 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. I didn't love it as much as her I didn't plan to be a Witch book, but it was still pretty up there. I love how she has a large family striving to be strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that they all seem to love each other so much. I love even more that she didn't just tell all the angel stories that you hear from so many trying to write books on motherhood, but rather described all the disasters and chaos that happened daily in their household. I laughed right out loud several times because she was describing my own household. It is soooo comforting knowing that others actually go through the same things I do, and it is even better that we read that they got through it and looking back on their own struggles can give tips that are still chugging on.
She has excellent suggestions and tips, especially on stress reduction. I plan on implementing many of them in my own family and life. I love that she specifically focuses on mothers with young children. I am excited to read more or her books especially the books on teaching children responsibility and values. Highly recommend it!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and found myself wanting to read it again. Rather than interlibrary-loaning, or ebaying, I was fortunate enough to find it at a yardsale. I heartily thanked the previous owner. I am on my second reading. I love this book for its realism (she raises her voice too!) and eternal perspective. I want to be a great mother, but I will just have to do my best! Linda Eyre has simple but doable and valuable solutions. Most you've heard of. But she has more kids, and more mayhem, and it makes my life sound really simple! Her solutions include prayer, scripture study, monthly chats with your spouse about your children in 4 key areas, alone time with each child, taking time to exercise and be alone,and a great overall PERSPECTIVE. Motherhood really is our most important job. I don't know how to put it into words, but I appreciate the 1980s perspective on this! I like Linda Eyres books (hers alone a bit more than the programs written with her husband. I can't wait to read, "I didn't plan to be a witch!" Think I can find it at a yardsale? :)

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wonderful and thoughtful husband bought me this as an early mother's day gift just a month after our first child was born. I would hold her and read this fun book out loud to both of us.

Being a first time mom it was so funny to read another seasoned mother's crazy days and good moments. It made me feel very idealistic that I was going to be this perfect mother and when we had similar days as the author that I had her already tried and tested remedies. :) LOL!!!

What a bright eyed optimistic I was. I have had many such moments of craziness 11 years later that I know you can't predict how different children's personalities will be when they come to this world or how those personalities would mesh with each other. But I know how I can react and choose to be a joyful mother to my children. Some days that is way easier said than done but I am a work in progress and hopefully will be a little more perfected than when I started.

I'm grateful for my kiddos for all the joyful and sometimes not joyful moments for helping shape me into who I am and who I want to be.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I raced through this book in 24 hours after I got it in the mail. I didn't relate to the first section at all, really--stories about traveling to far off countries with her family and things that will most likely ever happen to me in my lifetime. The second and third sections are great--the stories, the ideas, and the feeling that you have so much in common with other mothers. I liked hearing her say that sometimes she disagreed with her husband or felt like he got the better end of things. . . because sometimes I feel guilty for feeling that way. I also liked how she explained how important it was to take care of ourselves (meaning exercise, getting some alone time, and bettering ourselves)--and that it is our responsibility to make sure it happens (meaning we can't blame it on anyone else). I definitely don't know how she did it so well with 9 kiddos, but it makes me feel certain that I can do it with the four I have right now.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, got me out of a nagging, grumbling rut with my children and reminded me of why being a mother and having a family is such a wonderful and rewarding thing. I read the book at the end of the summer, it is now almost winter and the magic hasn't worn off. Practical and HONEST, thank the Lord, she mentions getting to a point where she is shaking a child by the shoulders and screaming and I love her for it. She also makes a great definition between keeping it simple and remaining calm and being lazy and indifferent, which I also loved. Keep it simple does not mean be mediocre, you can be wonderful and simple, and keeping calm does not mean letting the kids eat jelly sandwiches on the white couch. A strong vein of common sense discipline as well as long term thinking about what it means to raise children both set this book apart from the books I normally toss aside. And her design for 'the unit' should be patented and manufactured.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10. I would give the first half of this book a 5/10. The second half completely made up for it (9/10). There were so many good ideas and she shared personal experiences that I could actually relate to (not so with the first half). There were several things that she shared that, honestly, I've never heard another mother admit to and it was such a relief to hear that I am not the only one and that there is hope for me:) Some things that, surprisingly, my kids or I have done in the last week. What are the odds? Of course, there were some things that I couldn't relate to simply because parenting has changed since the 1980's (running into the store to buy a gallon of milk while my kids wait in the car??? Oh, the freedom) but it was still fun to hear some of those stories if only to see how much times have changed. Many great ideas with instructions for implementation which the reader can easily tailor to their own needs!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is gold.

I get really inspired by books, for good or bad. If a book has a somewhat negative theme or tone (The Hunger Games, for example), I get really depressed and upset at home. Positive stories and inspiring ideas are really good for me, whether or not they are relative. I loved this book and got a lot of little ideas from it, but there were still parts that didn't pertain to me (at this stage, I guess) and didn't make sense. Still, just the thought that I can be a Joyful Mother of Children- that it doesn't have to be all crazy stressful chaos- has really been inspiring, especially at this time in my life with all that's been going on this summer. I will buy this book, not just for the ideas, but to help remind myself that it is possible to be joyful amid the chaos.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Honest and entertaining, but with a lot of great ideas for being a better mother. I've enjoyed the Eyre's books and this one is just a fun read. At the end, she includes 12 ways to reduce stress and actually become a joyful mother. Who doesn't want to be a happy mom, and who can't use practical ideas to help you along the way?

There are LDS (Mormon) references throughout, but you don't need to be LDS to appreciate it or learn from it. One of those books that is good to read over and over again. I think that you'd get different things from it depending on what stage of motherhood you happen to be living!

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the message that this book has- to not just have children, but learn how to really enjoy them! :) I hestitate reading parenting books by authors who have only 1 or 2 children. I find myself questioning everything they say. I guess that's why I really loved this one- not only does she have the same standards as I (LDS), but she has 9 children! She is hilarious and I guess that was one of the major messages of this book- to laugh & have fun with your kids! It's an oldie, but it still holds up to todays world- I have found myself trying to implement many of her ideas/suggestions. I encourage mothers to read it!!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring read from a world-renowned mother of nine children. She issued specific challenges about organization, attitude, "sharpening your saw," and improving relationships with individual children and with the hubby, and I came away with a battle plan! I am excited to implement some of her suggestions, and I am comforted by her sympathy concerning "the hard days" of motherhood. Sometimes I come away from a parenting book feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, guilty, inadequate, etc., but this time I came away feeling rejuvenated, rededicated, and uplifted. That's how I know it's a GREAT read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason I don't want to like the Eyre's. (Maybe it's because a part of me is jealous that they've made a load of money just writing books about parenting their kids and get to travel the world with their family because of it). But every time I hear them or read what they have to say, I LOVE it (Granted I've only read 2 books...and they've written a whole lot). I looked forward to reading this book every night. There are some general things, "remembering to be positive..yada..yada..yada" but Linda also gives a lot of specific advice that you can start implementing TODAY! Every mother should read this - especially mothers of young children.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, this book was JUST what I needed! I was a little worried that this book would make me miserable because I sometimes don't have joy in raising my small children, but this book was funny, encouraging, and upbeat. I feel sure that Linda Eyre went through just what I'm going through now, and I'm sure glad to know that I don't have to have a spotless house, perfectly-behaved, well-groomed children all the time in order to be a joyful mother!

Also, I really appreciate the spiritual insights. I love that she said "stop reading this and go read scriptures", and take a week once in a while to pray three times a day. I have a lot to work on, but there is hope!!!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found on my mom's bookshelf...figured I could find out some ways to be more joyful. I think I will want to read this again when my kids are a bit older, as I am not quite ready to implement some of her ideas. I sometimes got overwhelmed with the author's organization and "put-togetherness", but I realized even more that motherhood, especially a joyful mom, takes real planning and conscious effort. Just like everything else in life it takes a lot of work, flexibility, and change to become the mom I want to be. Any advice, Mom?