I shared with you a guest post from Carla Ann on Monday, and today here is my review of her latest book!
Bookstore shelves are full of parenting resources for moms who are newly divorced or widowed. But where do moms turn if they feel like a single parent--but they’re not? Whether he is away on business, deployed in the military, or obsessing over a computer game, dad may not be available for a variety of reasons. Moms who parent in this situation still need help and don’t necessarily relate to the advice given in divorce recovery or single parenting resources.
Married Mom, Solo Parent is a common-sense, down-to-earth look at the struggles wives and mothers face when their husband is not actively involved in family life. Writing from her own experience as a married single mom, Carla Anne Coroy will help wives and mothers sort through their questions, such as: Can I do this alone? How do I raise kids to honor their father? How do I give my children a healthy perspective of marriage if they never see one in action? With practical suggestions, anecdotes, and biblical teaching, this book will encourage moms to see their position as a high calling, to find healing for their worries and frustrations, and to tap into God’s strength for help in facing the daily challenge of being a married mom, solo parent.
About the Author: Carla Anne Coroy runs the Married Single Mom blog at www.carlaannecoroy.com/blog She speaks regularly and serves as a staff writer for an online Christian women’s magazine Mentoring Moments for Christian Women. Carla Anne lives in Canada with her husband and four homeschooled children. For more information, visit www.carlaanne.com. Also check out her Facebook page for extras!
Review: This book is based on the author's own experiences and a survey she saw where most of the mothers said they felt like single parents. Carla knew there was a need for her book. The book is not what you would expect, based on reading Carla Anne's blog or articles on other websites. I think it would be better titled, Reconnecting with God=Reconnecting with Your Husband.
In Carla's case, her husband was away alot on business, and then chose to come home and destress by being on the computer, leaving her to raise and homeschool their kids, primarily alone. She and her friends sought refuge and direction from God, and her husband was transferred to Canada and began working from home, and through better communication with him, their problems were resolved. While she will tell it was not a fairy tale, how they worked through their problems will not work for all families.
In Carla's book she talks about the emotions of solo-parenting and situations the active parent may find themselves in. This side of the book is good and most solo-parents will see situations from their own lives. By seeking answers through God, she believes all the problems can be resolved. And while for most, this may work, I personally have seen couples who went the marriage counseling with Pastors and Christian psychologists, and it did NOT.
While I agree with Carla that we have to let go of our expectations of our spouse, it works both ways, and if the inactive spouse doesn't change their expectations, values or attitudes, then just trusting God to resolve the problem does not change the core problems. Both parties must WANT to change how things are. If one doesn't, then the book and it's suggestions will NOT help. Is it a starting point for the solo parent? Yes, I would say it is, but I think you need a different book to engage the inactive spouse into wanting to fix the marriage.
You can check out the rest of Carla's book tour, as some blogs may be giving away their review book too- more chances to win a copy!
BONUS:
Number 1: Their are companion resources to go along with the book! Personal Reflection Journal and Small Group Study Guide are available for personal use free of charge- perfect for your woman's group study, or personal study!
Number 2: To celebrate the release of her new book Carla has partnered with her publisher, Kregel, to host a live MomChat party on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/event.
The party will wrap up the blog tour (http://litfusegroup.com/
So RSVP today and then come back on 10/25 at 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern for the party.
Don't miss the fun ... and tell your friends.
Thanks so much for your honest review! I'm glad you connected well with the "emotions" section of the book. I completely agree with you that most solo moms will find or relate to their own experiences in there - and that is really what I hoped.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate that you evaluated this book in light of the relationships you have seen. You've blessed me with a great review!
Thanks! I hope to "meet" some of your readers at my MomChat Facebook party on the 25th!
Bless you!
Carla Anne