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, Family, Nonfiction, 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

[Lotta Z (Not active due to sickness) · 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!

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[Visit Many · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever wonder what makes a family strong? What makes siblings grow up to be friends? How can I create a home that my kids want to come back to visit, even as adults?

Jessica Smartt answers these questions in her book Come on Home. Each chapter explores one of 13 foundational characteristics of strong families like honesty, friendship and prayer. The advice is given, not from a vacuum, but from a place in the trenches as a parent herself. She doesn’t assume that the reader has the perfect conditions for implementing her tips. Time is taken to address the real life obstacles we all face in trying to create a strong family.

Like with Jessica’s other book, Let Them Be Kids, I flew through this audiobook. Jessica does a masterful job of weaving in stories from her own personal parenting experiences as well as stories from other families. It felt more like a conversation with a friend than a book. In fact, I’d like to be mom-friends with Jessica Smartt.

If you are a parent, I highly recommend Come on Home.

[EVA VERGHESE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Come On Home. Jessica beautifully weaves together reflections on what it means to create a temporary home on earth while keeping our eyes on our eternal home in heaven. She touches on so many real and relatable aspects of life—raising kids, handling sibling squabbles, building a space you love, nurturing relationships and marriage, and even the importance of making memories.

What stood out most to me were the simple yet powerful reminders about creating an environment of love. One that especially stayed with me was her wisdom on parenting: “When you are most annoyed with them, they need your loving discipline.” How true—and how needed in the day-to-day moments of raising children.

This book is both practical and deeply encouraging.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book have me a lot of great ideas and insight into building a strong, unified family and a haven for a home. I liked the last 2/3 of the book was the best.

I appreciated how Christianity was a major part of the book. As a Catholic, this is a big part of our lives, and it was great to see liturgical living and striving towards sainthood mentioned multiple times.

I would suggest reading Memory Making Mom and Let Them Be Kids along with this book (in any order). She has 2 sections in this book that are expanded upon and would be enriched with her these other 2 books.

Jessica Smartt's books are always must-reads and must-buys for me so I can reference them often. Another great book by this author!

[Kelly Wendzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica has done it again! She has such a unique way of capturing the reader and meeting them right where they are at. Her real life examples are so helpful and encouraging. If you are looking for way to make your family stronger than ever, this is the book for you. Jessica guides you on a journey to really think about what type of environment you want to develop in your home, she offers practical tips and suggestions while ultimately, leaving it up to you to seek the Lord and see what He has in store for your family. This book was amazing. If you haven't checked out her other books, do it!

[Shelby Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a busy mom of five girls, there are select books that I read over and over. This will be one of them. I found myself reading portions aloud to my husband because they were so applicable and helpful to our current season of parenthood. Come On Home is filled with humor and honesty. As a family parenting our children with our families spread out over several states while trying to be as intentional as we can, this book was so encouraging to keep on keeping on. You'll love this one!

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful Christian family resource! Her writing addresses many of the pressing cultural challenges families face today, including widespread anxiety, our complex relationship with technology, and the tendency for people to withdraw from meaningful engagement with life. I love her practical wisdom and genuine encouragement for parents. I would give it six stars if that was possible!

[Shannon Evanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one a lot. It felt like a big family hug.

She had great ideas for keeping a close family and making your home a place they want to be and come back to. I liked her summaries after each chapter, too, as my reading was just a tiny bit each day.

I will reference her ideas in the future!

[Rachelle Mudrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smartt lays out foundational characteristics such as prayer, friendship, loyalty, and grace as key components of a close-knit family. She encourages families to slow down, choose connection, and live out values in daily rhythms. Her stories and humor are relatable in ways that made me feel guilty. Some helpful tips.

[Rachael Sherrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is packed with practical Godly parenting ideas. I love that Jessica Smartt shares her own parenting stories, good and bad, making her motherhood relatable. I took something from every chapter that I want to put into practice in my own family. My favorite chapters were probably Connections and Friendship, also I love the the different Appendix with great lists of ideas at the end.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Smartt writes as a friendly mom friend, not judgmental but sharing wisdom and advice from her parenting experiences and her friends and family. There is a Christian basis here but mostly creating a close family bond with your spouse and children, encouraging, supportive, and loving.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Lots of great ideas and reminders that left me feeling encouraged. Took off the half star because it felt slightly geared toward homeschooling families or moms who don’t work outside the home even though there are still ideas and things to focus on for everyone.

[Hollianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a fun read. a reminder I needed to find that time to keep my family the most important thing!

[Ellen Kehs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Jessica's books for a long time. I always get something about motherhood and parenting from her books, and this one is right there with her others. She gives funny stories, practical tips, and ways to solidify the family unit that you're part of. I highly recommend for anyone wanting to create that warm, loving family environment.

[Lauren Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read. I loved how real she was about the parenthood experience. It was practical and inspirational and totally relatable. Best kind of parenting book!

[Kimmy Schreyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh perspective on the realities of raising your kids. And tools on how to intentionally raise them with strong family bonds through faith based tools. Loved this book!!