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I have found my newest favorite mom book in Kari Kampakis’s More Than A Mom, which FrontGate Media provided to me. It has been SO encouraging and full of wisdom for me. Let me tell you more!
About More Than A Mom
Kari Kampakis, a mom of four girls, knows what being a mom asks of us. And not that we don’t delight in that privilege! But sometimes (oftentimes?) moms might neglect their own health while they care for their kids and families. We throw ourselves, body and soul, into: meal preparation; trying to figure out how to assist kids as they interact with the internet; getting up with our kids at night, when they’re nursing, or sick, or having nightmares; driving all around town; you know the drill! Moms so often treat motherhood if it were a sprint. When really, it’s a marathon.
What if moms could take care of themselves while they are doing all these mom activities in such a way that they remain healthy themselves AND model healthy living for their kids? Kari believes it’s possible! In More Than A Mom, she details 10 areas moms can incorporate to live more healthily in body, soul, and spirit: knowing their worth; resting & restoration; friendships; conquering stress & anxiety; choosing joy; rejecting negative self-talk; making peace with their bodies; feeling capable; embracing purpose; and living in hope. And, she doesn’t just give readers lofty ideals (that can make them feel even more guilty). Instead, she talks about the ways women can embrace these changes in ways that are positive, include Scriptures, and are action-oriented. Chapters also close with thoughtful questions that will enable moms to think about what they’d like to incorporate and include in their own lives; and what, if anything, needs to change for their own mental/emotional/spiritual/physical health.
How this book impacted me
When I was almost finished reading More Than A Mom, I told my husband, “Don’t let me put this book out of my sight!” That’s a convoluted way of saying that there was so much of value to me in this book. In fact, while I’ve read it, I am definitely not finished with it yet. I plan to work through it again, chapter by chapter, engaging with its ideas in my journal, taking notes but also using it to make changes in my life. It resounded with me, enormously; and there is more of it for me to unpack.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
- “Like the shepherd in Matthew 18:12 who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one sheep that is lost, God would travel to the ends of the earth for you. You’re not just another face in the crowd. To Him, you’re fully seen, desired, and known.”
- “We want a positive life, and since we can’t create a positive life while consumed with negative thoughts, we’re often forced into a mind edit, a sifting through the mental clutter to clear out negativity. The expert of a mind edit is God, who created our minds in the first place. He knows our thoughts and offers healthy scripts to replace old ones.”
- “Cultivate inner beauty..How you act (and make people feel) impacts the way people see you. Beauty is a running tally influenced by a woman’s choices…Your beauty quotient grows by simply being kind.”
- “The reason why we accept God’s assignments is in response to His perfect love….At every age, you have a purpose, one that fulfills your heart’s desire to make a lasting and meaningful difference.”
As I read and interacted with More Than A Mom, I was so impacted by Kari’s loving thoughts and wisdom. She pointed out so many helpful actions and habits that I know I can put to work in my own life, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. This book has made a difference for me; and it will continue to, I know, as I put the ideas into practice that I’d like to embrace. I believe it can for you as well!
About Kari Kampakis, the author
Kari Kampakis is a mom of four girls, author, speaker, and podcaster from Birmingham, Alabama. Her new book for girl moms, LOVE HER WELL: 10 WAYS TO FIND JOY AND CONNECTION WITH YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER, can be found everywhere books are sold. Kari’s books for teen & tween girls – LIKED and 10 ULTIMATE TRUTHS GIRLS SHOULD KNOW – have been used widely across the country for small group studies. Join Kari on Facebook, Instagram, and the Girl Mom podcast, or visit karikampakis.com.
Where you can find More Than A Mom
You can pre-order this book through the link below. Plus, when you do, you’ll receive free downloads from Kari, cell phone lock screens, devotionals, and other goodies.
Enjoy! –Wren
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FrontGate Media. All opinions are honest and my own.
finchnwren 