Why minding healthy boundaries is good for your whole family.
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About the Book ‘If Mama Ain’t Happy’
Rachel used to be a mom who spent her days weary, anxious, and guilt laden. She had five kids in five years, lived on three different continents, and then was blindsided by a devastating health diagnosis. Neglecting her own physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional needs for so long—in an effort to be a selfless mother—had left her utterly depleted. And physically unwell. Then she began asking a question she’d never considered before: Could it be that taking good care of myself is not actually selfish, but maybe, just maybe, something a responsible adult does?
In this countercultural book, Rachel takes some weight off your shoulders by:
- Offering hands-on, rubber-meets-the-road strategies to cultivate a life you aren’t trying to constantly escape
- Teaching you to discover and claim your own limits and boundaries so you can be a calm, resilient, peaceful mother
- Showing you how to shape your daily life and values around the few things that really matter, and how to let the rest go
If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. But when mama is at peace? Everyone benefits!
Connect with the Author, Rachel Norman
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My Favorite Chapter of ‘If Mama Ain’t Happy’
My favorite chapter from this book is Minding Your Own Emotions. Emotions have overtaken my home and I’m so over it. This chapter alone is worthy of sharing. Yes, the rest of the book is wonderful, too.
How To Set Healthy Boundaries As A Mom
In this book you’ll find many quick and but powerful ways to set healthy boundaries as a mom.
I struggle with the message that if our children aren’t happy, we are bad parents. She addresses this false belief. She also addresses other problems and offers solutions or strategies for healthier boundaries.
- Proven ways to get unstuck and eliminate stress and anxiety. Some of these I have tried; some are ones I want to implement soon. I think the best one offered is how to get off your phone to be more present. Another one is facing your problem head on instead of avoiding them. I often try to escape my problems but the accumulation has not been good to me.
- How to set healthy boundaries aligned with your values and morals, as well as the limits and preferences of family members. Both are important in creating healthy boundaries, but I’ll let the author tell you in more detail about this and the other strategies. She also discusses why we shouldn’t adopt other people’s standards as our own. I’ve been guilty of this one.
- What the two extreme forms of parenting are and how to balance them for a healthier approach.
- Where to start. Hint: Which behaviors bother you the most?
- Examples of unrealistic standards. I have a handful of these. The realistic standards provided would suit me better.
- Treating yourself versus taking care of yourself. There is a difference.
- How Mom can find refreshment at home. This is important when you are a mom who doesn’t have a chance to leave the house.
The Audience for ‘If Mama Ain’t Happy’
This is a book with for any mom. It has wonderful suggestions on how to have healthy boundaries for any mom, with examples for the homeschooling mom, the work at home mom, the single mom and even the introvert mom. (I’m three of these!)
The book is definitely written by a Christian mom, but the advice would benefit all moms.
As a mom who keeps trying to perfect my plans, I see where I need to quit adding more. The strategies in this book are definitely ones that will help me with my emotions and unrealistic mindset. It’s never too late to learn something new. I’m in my 40s and discovering better ways. I hope you find the book as helpful as I have.
My Favorite Quotes from ‘If Mama Ain’t Happy’
“Boundaries are, in essence, our limits. They are the lines that, when cross, result in dis-ease and disease.” (page 12)
“You are the adult. You are responsible before God … for how you raise your children.” (page 74)
“Creating rules you won’t enforce waters down your authority and confidence.” (page 64)
“You will not enforce rules that are not important to you.” (page 64)
“Remember, rules bring order.” (page 75)
“Rules are made to help protect our children and set them up for success.” (page 75)
“He never told us we had to be perfect.” (page 89)
“We only ever have the present.” (page 93)
“Smartphones make us present but absent parents.” (page 101)
“Strong emotions are advisors not masters.” (page 125)
“Make time for small, daily comforts.” (page 145)
“No matter how full or unwieldy your schedule is you are in charge of it.” (page 157)
“Work before play.” (page 177)
“Sometimes we already have what we need.” (page 197)
There is a beautiful ebb and flow as our supernatural faith intersects with our natural lives.” (page 204)
Read “If Mama Ain’t Happy” Now
Grab a copy of the book “If Mama Ain’t Happy” now!
