Come On Home: A Grace-Filled Guide to Raising a Family Who Loves (and Likes) Each Other

by Jessica Smartt

Family doesn’t have to be perfect to be strong.

We all have our own ideas of what a “strong family” is—but too often, the picture in our minds seems desperately far from our real lives. We long to build a home that our children want to come back to, a healthy environment where they can make mistakes and try again. We long for a place of unconditional love, a foundation to launch them into this crazy world without feeling lost or untethered.

But how? And what if you feel like it’s too late?

Beloved author of Memory Making Mom Jessica Smartt is right there with you in the trenches of parenting and family life. She has great a strong family culture has nothing to do with flawless behavior, a Pinterest-perfect home, or continual harmony. In Come on Home, Jessica will equip parents to create the family they long for, with the people in their actual homes. It’s never too late to build a strong family.

Based on statistics, jam-packed with concrete examples, and infused with Jessica’s trademark down-to-earth humor, Come on Home will help you foundational characteristics like prayer, friendship, and loyalty for a close-knit family, or what a family needs to grow stronginterviews with different kinds of strong families from all backgrounds and circumstancesnew patterns of discipline that hold boundaries without sacrificing connectionpractical, doable ideas to build strong relationships between family members, raising siblings who look out for one another, are good friends, and create lasting bondsprinciples for moving beyond unhealthy familial cycles to give your kids a new legacyWhile building a family will feel hard at times, it will be worth it. It’s never too late to give our children a soft place to land, a foundation of faithfulness and grace.

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Nonfiction, Family, Faith, Audiobook, Christian Living

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

Jessica Smartt is a former English teacher turned homeschooling mama of three. A week after her first baby was born, she began her motherhood blog “Smartter” Each Day. Jessica and her husband live in beautiful North Carolina, where she loves hiking with kids (mostly), steaming coffee in the afternoon, family bike rides, and anything that’s ever been done to a potato.

Reviews

[Stacy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I’ve ever read on motherhood. And I’ve read A LOT of them. Why? Because I always felt like if I could just read the right book, I get my life under control. Guess what? This book doesn’t do that. What it does do is encourage you that even your small efforts matter. A close family doesn’t happen accidentally but it is doable with effort.

I think I’m calling it quits on motherhood books and just will read this one over and over until I memorize it.

[Lotta Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers | Tyndale Momentum for this ARC!

This was a 24-hour book for me! I really enjoy how Jessica puts her thoughts across to the reader! She is really quite funny and astute in her commentary throughout this book. I have some of her other books now added to my TBR list as I really liked her style!

Just a warning, this is a Christian parenting book, but I would say it could be accessible to anyone. There are some gems in this book about creating a strong family! I am definitely going to be using some of her advice going forward with my children.

I really like the way the book was structured and I just generally enjoyed hearing Jessica speak about her life and her views. I look forward to reading her other books!

Can only recommend if you have children!

Thanks for reading!

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh goodness, how I loved this. It is amusing and inspiring and full of practical ideas!!! So glad I read this one!

[Becky Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many practical tips on creating a beautiful family culture rooted in the Lord.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will definitely need to reread when i’m not about to have a newborn—super practical ideas!

[Maegen Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Memory Making Mom every year. I think I may have to re-read this one as well. I absolutely loved it and was so encouraged by all Jessica shared.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a good book. Definitely one I'll want to re-read/re-listen to.

[Krysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just packed cover to cover with practical tips for building a strong family. I love the way Jessica Smartt writes - like a good friend who knows you deeply and will tell you the truth even (especially?) when you don’t want to hear it - and she says it in the most encouraging way. She’s funny, which I definitely appreciate, because there are so many times in motherhood where you need to laugh or you’ll cry, am I right? I love that she guides you through the general framework of a strong family, but also gives you a bajillion different concrete examples of how to live out the principles in your real life. I am so glad that I bought the book rather than borrowing it from the library, because I have dog-eared pages an underlined passages in every chapter; I know this is a book I will come back to again and again.

If you feel like it’s an uphill battle to weave a close-knit family amid the chaos of our modern society, but also so worth the struggle, this book is for you.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟
I have read several books by this author and I enjoy her writing style. She writes with humor, empathy and some self-deprecation. I liked how this book had foundational principles and how she likened other principles to Roots that can help your family grow strong. There were some good ideas that I gleaned and some things that I'm thinking about and trying to implement into what I'm already doing.

"Who you are is not a mistake, how did God uniquely equip you for your task?"

" God never calls us to a task without giving us what we need to do it; God never sends us into anything without going with us."

"Taking the longview is essential for strong family growing."

"Love is not love without discipline."

"We parents set the tone for how our children remember hardships."

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always up for a little parenting refresher in book form, and I was thrilled to jump into this one from a homeschooling mama whose work I’ve followed for quite a while—especially since the theme of raising a strong family is close to my heart. In Come on Home, Jessica relies on her personal experience (within her family of origin as well as her current family with her husband and children) to guide parents in creating strong families.

According to Smartt, a strong family begins with a foundation of honesty, perspective, authority, partnership, and prayer. Once these family needs are in place, families can grow through planted seeds of time, connection, memories, and other pivotal components. Smartt explores each of these foundational characteristics, offering practical ideas for applying them in the home and sharing interviews from various strong families who embody these qualities.

This was such a great read! While the subject may seem aspirational, Smartt’s gracious approach makes having a strong family seem totally attainable. Smartt is transparent about her own shortcomings while also inspiring parents to move beyond our personal insecurities and limitations to create warm, welcoming, Christ-centered families who are known for loyalty, connection, and grace. I loved the mix of story and Biblical insight, and I found the bulleted ideas at the end of each chapter extremely helpful.

In her opening chapter, Smartt reminds readers why having a strong family is so important: it tethers kids to something solid in a changing world, gives kids friends who are truly behind them, provides them with memories to draw from in difficult times, gives them a soft place to land, makes theology come alive for them, provides the building blocks for a healthy society, and establishes a legacy. What a wonderful goal, and one that Smartt has done a excellent job of helping parents achieve.

My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook

[Bookish Fam · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of good things in this book, and I would probably recommend it to someone who is just starting to read parenting books. I don’t think there’s anything that separates it from other parenting books. The basic premise is focus on creating an environment where you can form relationships with your kids and they can form relationships with each other. There were a few points in the book I couldn’t believe what I was reading, but it was always about “side topics” like marriage, or managing a schedule. If you can read this with a discerning lens it could be helpful.

[Karina Tiggelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book on fostering family connection and creating a safe and loving home for your kids .One of my biggest parenting goals is to create a home that my children want to happily visit as adults and to encourage close sibling relationships between my kids . This book has good tips and examples on how to get there 👍

[Morgan Marko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always appreciate a book with personal examples and clear takeaways. This was a fun and engaging read about the importance of family connection. It makes for a great discussion book for a group read!

[Brettnay Brazzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top favorite reads so far for 2026. This book is full of biblical and practical insight on what it takes to raise a family who loves each other and has a bond that lasts through adulthood. Highly recommend!!

[Helen Seamon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine? It had good tips but it was not anything earth shattering. I appreciated a lot of the ideas and lists that she gave. May be worth a revisit when my kids are older - most of her advice for the baby/preschooler stage is “get through it”

[Michelle Spiess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much. Insightful, practical and filled with godly wisdom for how to have a home that is worth coming home to day after day, year after year. Thank you Jessica!

[Elise Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, practical, and relatable!

[Anna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A how-to on creating a strong family. Fantastic.
I loved so many things about this book and have already implemented several things.

[Tami Hungerford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved this book!!! So much goodness and quotes Justin Whitmels habits of the household, which is another super gem!!!!

[Abbey Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging and gave me a lot of ideas without being overwhelming. Nothing revolutionary, but a very good book!

[Rachel Angy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and already added Smartt’s other books to my TBR list! I listened to this as an audiobook, but if I had read a physical copy, there would be highlighted paragraphs and dog-eared page corners all over it. Even though many of the ideas and examples of family activities are a stage ahead of where I’m at with my two under 2, I think it’s never too early to think about the concepts of building a strong family; I took away many sweet ideas that I plan to use once my kids are a bit older.

[Heidi Mussoline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! Such a great reference.

[Ashley Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate this book and feel very encouraged! I’m going to have my kids to listen to the chapter on friendship🥰

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful read on what makes a close-knit family. Come On Home – A Grace-Filled Guide to Raising a Family Who Loves (and Likes) Each Other by Jessica Smartt provided lots of great examples, information, tips, suggestions, and encouragement.

No matter if your kids are babies or teenagers, this book is for you! I have read various different parenting type books over the years, I will say this is one of my favorite ones. She is a Christian and homeschooling mom, so I relate to a lot of what she shared. She writes on some of the concerns our current culture is dealing with today, such as anxiety, technology, dropping out of life… Which I found helpful. I also found her encouraging in my current journey. Here are some highlights:

Godly self-care is what helps you do that job well.
You have limited capacity. Spend your time on the things that only you can do.
Ask your kids what you do best as a mom.
We can not assume that children will know what our priorities are: we must live our priorities.
It’s not about where you are; it’s about where you are pointed.
Someone who has her eye fixed on the fruit ten years down the road makes different decisions than someone who simply wants today to be easy.
It’s essential to keep the long view when you’re building a strong family, because it is exhausting work that doesn’t always reward in the moment.
God gave me the job of raising you to love and follow Him, and I am trying to do the job He gave me to do.
He reminds me that love without consequences or boundaries isn’t really love.
Just as God chose you specially to be your kids’ mom, He chose each member of the family, with purpose and kindness. Which means – He has a reason!
When we face a parenting conundrum with our own kids, I wonder what would happen if we prayed before…
We can not bark someone into the Kingdom. We won’t badger, berate, or guilt them off the wrong path and onto the right one.
Homeschooling gives us the invaluable gift of more time for all of it.

[Tessa Kritikos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christian lens on what makes a home, a strong family, and children who want to "come on home." Tons of concrete examples, ideas, and wisdom for various situations and family dynamics. I appreciated the honest and positive take on accepting our strengths and limitations as uniquely God-given and therefore correctly matched to the kids we've been given. I also really liked the way she spoke about being careful about staying in survival mode forever, or using that as an excuse to not be more intentional. In general, I thought the book was very real and didn't sugarcoat how hard it is to raise good kids and build a close family. She didn't pretend to have a magic bullet but still gave tons of suggestions and ideas for language to use with kids, as well as resources. The tone was very conversational and casual, which made it enjoyable and accessible. One thing that bothered me - how often she discredited herself by offering the disclaimer that she was not an expert on a certain topic. It was distracting and not helpful when considering the topic that followed.

Themes: Discipline, memory making, family connections, sibling relationships, grace, legacy

📌 Favorite quotes/points:
- Emphasis on taking the longview: "Growing a strong family involves dumping your time into activities that often, like gardening, aren't fun, don't give you immediate satisfaction, but you hope, might grow into something really, really beautiful. There are many of these small tasks inherent in every day of being a good mother." and "Someone who has her eye fixed on the fruit ten years down the road makes different decisions than someone who simply wants today to be easy."
- "Beware of seasons changing and bad habits remaining" - because I needed this kick in the butt :)

👀 Audience: Christian parents
📚 Similar books it reminded me of: Until the Streelights Come On; Habits of the Household
🕰️ Best reading context:
Reflective; mom group
📈 Mood & pace:
Biblical, religious, encouraging; fast-paced, casual and friendly tone

[Virginia Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The message behind this book, that our homes can (and should) be the safest places for our families, that our kids can (and should) thrive in the haven we create, is incredibly timely and so very necessary. In a world that shifts and turns faster than we can catch up with, and in a culture that values the turmoil and strife caused by the endless striving, this book is a reminder to pause, so slow down, to take the time to look our children in the eyes and to simply love them.

Jessica provides convicting reminders of the joy that we can experience when we intentionally turn in toward our family and that closeness is not only possible, but should be our goal! But she does so in a gentle, non-condemning way. She laughs and learns alongside the reader, owning mistakes and challenges that she also faces in this pursuit, while spurring us all on to finding ways to connect, to relate, and to enjoy the days that we share together.

Additionally, there is so much here that is practical. She shares not just principles, but ideas to put into practice. Want to take a vacation together - here's how, and why, and where. Want to celebrate holidays together in memorable ways - here's ideas for every holiday you can think of. Want to have better self-control over your phone and your habits - here's the conviction to do so, and some ideas for next steps. I could go on all day, but, believe me, you'd rather just read it for yourself.

I am so thankful for all that this book reminded me. I pray that I can create a home for my kids where they will never doubt, even for a moment, the support and love that they can find if they will only Come On Home.

[Whitney Edgerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mom who is pretty picky about parenting books, I went into this one with high expectations but also a little hesitation. So many parenting books can leave you feeling like you need to completely overhaul your life or add a hundred more things to your already full plate. This book was the exact opposite.

Come On Home was the reality check I didn’t know I needed. Jessica Smartt does such a beautiful job of making you pause and reflect on your priorities, the atmosphere of your home, and the kind of childhood memories you want to create for your kids. It challenged me in the best way… not from a place of guilt, but from a place of intentionality.

What I loved most was how practical it was. The applications felt realistic and doable. I didn’t finish this book feeling overwhelmed; I finished it feeling encouraged and inspired to make small, meaningful changes in our everyday life.

There were so many moments where I wanted to stop and talk through ideas with my husband because this book naturally brings up important conversations about family values, traditions, priorities, and the kind of home we want to build.

This is the kind of parenting book I’ll come back to again and again. It reminded me that the little things we do every day matter, and that creating a loving, intentional home doesn’t require perfection… it requires presence.

Five stars. Exactly what I needed in this season of motherhood. ❤️

[Mandy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jessica Smartt. She is a mom that just gets me, and I feel like our values align. Although I don’t feel like I learned a ton of new things from this book- it gave me reassurance. It helped me feel centered and at peace with the direction I am pursuing. Here are my takeaways:

-“I can do anything but not everything”
-“I wasn’t made for juggling two dozen uncooked eggs. I can only hold two things, really, one in each hand. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Those are my priorities.”
-A getaway= two nights as least to be restful (have one on your calendar at all times with your spouse)
-Prayer is essential because we simply aren’t good enough parents on our own
-Fight for time with you kids- even if that means forgoing after school activities- have dinner together
-Kids needs to feel: seen, known, loved, and liked
-“Collect” your kids each day
-Belonging comes from being needed
-Values to center your home on: beauty, order, rhythm, and love
-Roots are the key to health and longevity
-“Children are not a distraction from the important work. They are the most important work.”
-“I am not just dealing with annoying humans; I am loving immortal souls.”
-“You’re an Andersen”

[Hannah Tekle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely give 5 stars to any book and I am a nit picky jerk when it comes to books about parenting, family, and motherhood.
But if I am giving 5 stars to a motherhood, family, and parenting book, I’m not surprised that it’s a book by Jessica. And while I truly loved her first two books, this one hits differently. This one reads through the pain of failure, through the anxiety of our modern age, and through the deep love and nurture that we seek for our children. This one hits the shadow that has been lurking in my mind for the past few years, the question as to what legacy I am leaving my children, how can I instill a desire for them to remain close? How can I, nursing my baby who just turned one a couple days ago and carting my 6 year old to taekwondo, make sure that in 25 years, I’m driving my grandson to taekwondo where I hold his little brother or sister while his parents have a date night?
That’s what this book is about. And it gives practical, humble, and heartfelt steps to get there.
Thank you, Jessica. Once more, you have inspired me, this time through tears and repentance and hope.

[One Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and helpful.

This book is all about raising strong families, but it really focuses on moms. I love that at the start, Jessica says it’s never too late to build a strong family. We’ve all had parenting mishaps, felt like we’re not good enough, and carried past guilt. So, it’s really nice to know that there are moms out there who struggle just like me. And it’s also so comforting to read the points in this book that are based on Christian values.

My favorite line that I think can be the foundation for building strong families is:

“Those eggs you think you’re juggling, you’re not actually in control. But I’ve got them. They are in my loving care. Rest and relax.”

Knowing that God is with us in our daily anxieties and noisy minds is reassuring.

I absolutely adore that in every chapter’s conclusion, Jessica includes a summary and helpful guides to encourage us to reflect on what we can take away from the chapter and apply it to our lives. This resource is a must-have for all moms!