A ★★★★★ Book Review of Memory Making Mom by Jessica Smartt | Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson (a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own. Also, this blog post includes affiliate links which means I will receive a commission based on sales generated via these links.
With a short, sweet style of writing that is not only insightful and full of useful suggestions, but also entertaining, Smartt delivers the perfect resource for those looking to create or build on their family traditions. I chuckled out loud and smiled as I identified with her as a woman and mother. Memory Making Mom not only encouraged me, but it inspired me and simultaneously warmed my heart.
★★★★★ || From the moment I picked up Memory Making Mom to the moment I laid it down, I was singing it’s praises. In fact, I haven’t yet stopped. I hurriedly snapped a photo of the book and texted it, with a purchase link to several of my closest friends telling them they HAD to read this book. Since then, several of them have texted me back saying they not only purchased the book, but were loving it as well!
Blogger Jessica Smartt shares her ideas, traditions and beautiful insights in this well written resource guide. New to me, this creative author does an excellent job of encouraging moms and homemakers to create traditions for their families with her jammed packed chapters that inspire, delight and entertain readers. I often felt as if she was sitting beside me, encouraging me along the way as a dear friend might. She shared her favorite traditions as a child, traditions she’s began with her children and additional ideas that readers can take and tailor to suit their needs.
Before the third chapter, I stopped reading to grab a notebook. I immediately began jotting down some of the ideas and thoughts that Smartt laid on my heart. I loved how she wrapped up each section or chapter with thoughts to consider and her lists of ideas made my list-loving heart do happy dances. I found myself reading little bits and pieces out loud to my husband, spouting off ideas and exchanging thoughts with him. It wasn’t long before I was reading a full chapter out loud to him, then handing the book over to him to alternate reading chapters aloud.
I filled close to three notebook pages full of ideas and I’m excited to share them in a future blog post. I believe that other moms, homemakers, dads, grandparents and even aunts and uncles can benefit from Memory Making Mom. Even those who are joyfully single will delight in the ideas Smartt offers. Smartt says it well when she states,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jessica Smartt is a former teacher, current homeschool mom, and passionate Christ-follower. She has been published on The Huffington Post and has written an ebook on How To Introduce Your Child To Jesus. She is passionate about helping moms to detach from the ever-present lure of technology (which can feel way more fun than parenting), about helping women recover from worry (been there, done that!) and about how to be a confident, purposeful homeschooling mom. You can visit her on her website, http://smarttereachday.com, or follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.
Lastly, pick up your own copy of Memory Making Mom or borrow it from your local library. Then, I'd love to hear YOUR thoughts on the book in the comments below!