the author cut to the core of what it is like for me to be a busy working mother who ...
582105
Inspiring, motivating and real life application for the average woman who doesn't know where her body went!  Was engaged right from page 1 and throughout...the author cut to the core of what it is like for me to be a busy working mother who unfortunately forgot how to take care of her health. Reading this book is a real push and encouragement that a woman can actually reclaim her body and her health even if faced with physical adversities. The photos are breath taking and the workouts are actually an achievable regimen that leave me feeling confident that I'll continue because it's paying off.
I carry the book around with me as a reminder that I have started my lifestyle change and commitment to take care of my self!
2421576
I meant to read this book over the space of a few days, but wasn't able to put it down! This book is full of real, tangible items that I can do as an expectant mom working full time who wants to grow my personal business and manage my time well. I'm so thankful to have these tips and advice to help me transition to motherhood. My favorite part of the book is that it doesn't guilt you for the stage of life that you're in and is kind to all women; building them up instead of tearing them down.
1788687
I have been a long time benefactor of Lori Mihalich-Levins blog and would have benefitted so much from her course if it had been available when I had my first child. Although one can cobble together info from the pediatrician, miscellaneous mom groups, relatives and friends, it is oftentimes hard to find peers for the corporate working mother and there just isn't that much information and support available that addresses our specific needs and lifestyle. Loris book is a collection of knowledge from experts on all aspects of this process, from planning maternity leave to managing your calendar, workload and relationships upon your return to work. Also, the book is filled with tips to manage all of the logistics involved in having a caregiver for your child or children, running your household and focusing on what matters. The advice on pumping at work and pumping on work travel is so important!! This is a must have resource for the working mom or anyone who is supporting a working mom- partners, grandparents, etc.
2450175
Ah, but as a busy mom, how does one do this!  I have 3 young children ages 8 and under.  Our schedules are packed! Karate to co-op, to church, to art class and more.  It is never ending!  Ive heard the critics!  It is all our own faults.  We hyper schedule, over do it, and run our families ragged.  Us women trying to prove we are super-moms!  Honestly I think thats unfair.  The more I try to unclutter our schedule the busier it gets.  Its out of control and it is largely out of MY control.  Whats a busy mom to do?  Well, a busy mom has to lay down that super-mom cape and find time to take care of her own soul.  If we dont, we will crash and burn.
Throughout the book Katie refers to all kinds of SuperMom capes throughout each daily devotion. Our capes of selfishness, ugliness, hatefulness and others.  The capes that cover and smother us.  How do we lay those capes down find the time to be Spirit-filled for the Lord?
Putting On the Spirit: Ten-Minute Devotions for Busy Moms is certainly designed as short daily readings with reflection assignments.  It is all of 25 pages long with a corresponding workbook you can download for free.  It is a study of Galatians 5:22-23 and The Fruit of the Spirit. Youll complete your study over 28 days.  Dont let shortness lead you to believe it is light.  This book is very much a jam-packed study.
I downloaded this as an ebook to my Kindle that I generally take with me everywhere.  I typically have a morning time of study and prayer and this worked easily into that routine.  But I also enjoyed using it when I found myself with an odd few minutes, like waiting for a doctors appointment or one of my childrens activities.  Id use it alongside the YouVersion app in whatever device (phone, tablet) I had handy.  I tend to take notes right in the app.  I loved how simple and easy the studies are.  I knew just what I had to do and getting it done was a cinch.  It filled my heart to know I had done what I knew God was calling me to do for the day.  It made me think, reflect, and take action on the things in my life that need fine tuning.
This is just the perfect way for a busy mom to pause and turn her heart toward the Lord for a few moments of study, reflection, and prayer.  Short sips for dry soul.
Note: I did receive a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to post a positive review.  No other compensation was received.
4442872
Reading this book was like chatting with the lady sitting next to me at yet another baby shower. Ellis writes in a familiar, cozy way much like a grandmother sharing how it was done in her day. Her words encourage women to cut themselves some slack and not take the world so seriously. She supports her opinion with well-documented references and scaffolds her ideas with Bible verses. I didn't agree with all of Ellis's comments but could relate to many of her anecdotal stories. Each section has a takeaway thought to carry you through the next hat crisis.  Although the book didn't have any earth-shattering revelations about motherhood or finding myself, it's comforting to know that Ellis gets it.  She understands why moms often feel exhausted at the end of a long day (or hour) and she gives us permission to feel that way. Are your hats getting heavy?  From the single woman to the married mom of four, if you need a shoulder to lean on, Ellis offers it in The 500 Hats of a Modern-Day Woman.
I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.
2755836
I hate to admit that a book changed my behavior but this one did.  My wife made me read what other working Moms were saying, and yep, it's had an effect.  (You can teach an almost middle-aged dog new tricks).  It's one thing to have my wife explain the trials and tribulations of working mothers.  (Or "stay-at-work Moms," in Wendy Sachs' term).  But it's easy to be tone deaf when your own wife is speaking.  When a bunch of celebrities and regular Moms echo the same things my wife is saying, well, a guy just has to listen.  What a wake-up call!  I have a finer appreciation now of the dilemma of the stay-at-work Mom.  And yes, I'm pitching in at home more, too.  Ladies, I know it's not Father's Day...but this book makes a helluva gift for Dad.
3727246
This is an excellent book that I would recommend to every working moms who have been juggling between life and work. Despite different life scenario, the similarity between Kate's and my feeling and thoughts constantly strikes me throughout the book. The scnario is so real and sadly, applicable to my own life. It could replace my own dairy! This book was recommended by my career counselor, now I would like to recommend it to you.
2232368
Lisa TerKeurst is an amazing author and inspiration to all women. This is absolutely a must read for any busy women. I myself am a working mom who juggles baby/husband/work, etc.. and this book spoke to my heart in so many ways. I highly recommend!
2533662
I enjoyed reading this book.  As a busy mom myself, I could totally relate and understand how easily you could slip into such addiction without realizing it until it's too late.  This, for me, was a little scary.  It was an emotional journey and was eye-opening for me.  I would recommend it.
1863243
Motherhood for me is constant trial and error, weighing heavily on the side of error. Its working surrounded by piles of dirty dishes and learning to love the dust bunnies and crunched up Goldfish crackers that keep me company. Motherhood is messy, unpredictable, selfless, glorious, impossible, and the best thing that has ever happened to me  and a blessing I never knew I wanted, but God knew I needed.

As Lisa-Jo tells her motherhood story, it has healed parts of my heart that I didn't realize were still raw. She is a storyteller like none other and her words can make me sob one minute as she recounts how God gave her the names of each of her children, and laugh the next as she weaves brilliant lines like God has nothing to do with PopTarts in among one of the most beautifully encouraging books on motherhood Ive ever read.

And of course this book releases on April Fools Day - because doesnt motherhood make us all a little bit foolish and more foolishly in love? Maybe you're not a mother, but you know one, and you have one. And thats all you need to be blessed by these words that cross continents and languages and lets mamas around the world know that we all struggle. None of us are perfect, we cant do it all, and yet  maybe this hard work of motherhood might just need its own superhero cape.
3421358
This is exactly what I have been wanting as a busy wife and mother. I have a creative mind but struggle to keep things organised in my mind, so seeing what everyone is doing in each of the columns is perfect.
4230040
This is an absolute Must read for all of us women who are trying to juggle a career and raise children....and do both with perfection! I have a very demanding job that I love very much - but I love my life as a Mom even more! This book gives loads of advice and true stories from the author that help ease the guilt of working AND parenting!
2933182
Excellent read! I couldn't put it down. I related to her mommy guilt and I believe other working mothers can benefit from this book as well. I felt validated after reading this.
2624924
If you're looking to relax and enjoy life while still being a mom and getting things done this is a great read.
3944578
A page turner from page one. As a busy working mother I don't get to read much; however, I couldn't put this book down! I can't wait for book two!
4336231
The timing of this book couldn't be better. Honestly, I need this reminder tattooed everywhere: to my forehead, my hands, my car. As a busy mama on the go, I get stuck in SURVIVAL MODE instead of LIVING FULLY MODE. But what I love love love about this book is that it's not just a scolding for crazy busy people. It's a grace-filled wake up call -- a firm but loving reminder that it's what we do with the busyness that matters most.

Alli gets it. She gets the crazy mom thing and our ever-changing ever-growing schedules. But unlike some of the gushier you-can-do-it parenting books, this girl tells it straight with a no-nonsense relatability the reader will find refreshing and much needed. {One of my favorite stories, she tells how she tiredly tucked her cellphone in her bra before falling asleep in an airport shuttle, waking up having totally forgotten where she had put it. I won't spoil the end of the story for you; youll just have to read it for yourself. But trust me, its a good one. So good I nearly spit hot coffee all over the poor elderly gentleman sitting beside me in the doctors office waiting room where I was reading.}

One of the things Alli addresses is the need to break the dangerous cycle of busyness we get ourselves into. She has lived out years that seemed like a blur. With no defining moments. The memorable times drowning in a sea of busyness. She also knows the pain and regret of missing out on those years.

Such honesty is refreshing. A breath of fresh air for this busy mama. Thank you, Alli!

[Full review on The Masterpiece Mom blog: [...]]
1232467
I was literally getting ready to make a doctors appointment to be tested for bipolar 2 disorder. I started doing some research about how hard it is to be a mother and this book came up on amazon. I read reviews, which were mostly positive and purchased. It was like she wrote the book for me. EVERYTHING I was feeling from breastfeeding woes to husbands lack of help was addressed. I was older when I had my children and had a career before. The overall theme of my life is guilt. I hated maternity leave and counted the days until I returned back to work. I felt this was the only thing in my life that had not been turned upside down. I was me. And I missed me. I have been fighting with my husband over household duties, childcare etc. Although there isn't a "ideas" section in this book for overcoming these problems, she includes a ton of statistics to reassure me that I was not only "alone" in my thinking but was in a huge boat with other mothers. The Mask of Motherhood simply means almost all mothers wear a mask, acting as if motherhood is this hobby like taking up sewing or yoga.
But under the mask is a scared-guilt ridden, stressed and emotionally fragile woman who, like me, wonders what the hell did I get myself into and then the feeling horrible for thinking it. The bottom line is, I love my children and husband. I am a control freak who needs to delegate more responsibilites. I started this year with a new mind set and thanks to this book, I am sure a happier life.