Tricia Goyer - Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Young Mom

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I believe it will be a great source of encouragement and hope for young moms. Full of practical advice, applications, and real-life stories, its a great reminder to be a future-thinker and trust that with Gods help, what seems impossible can become reality.

Erin ODonnell

A life interrupted can become a life ignited. Trish Goyer provides the path to help and hope for young moms in this exceptional book. When Carol Kuykendall and I wrote What Every Mom Needs over a decade ago, our prayer was that moms would become better moms by learning to recognize and meet their needs. Now this message comes home to even the youngest of moms in a tone and language that connects. From Teen MOPS to classic MOPS, this book works.

Elisa Morgan, President and CEO, MOPS International, coauthor of What Every Mom Needs

Before I was a mom,

I hung out on Main Street.

Took pride in my appearance.

Talked for hours on the phone.

And sunbathed for fun.

Before I was a mom,

I stayed up all night.

Slept til noon on Saturdays.

Painted my nails.

Before I was a mom,

I kept up with my homework.

Knew all the latest movies.

Watched TV that didnt include puppets.

Before I was a mom,

I didnt realize the importance of vitamins.

Didnt consider the danger of electrical outlets.

Spoke in complete sentences.

Before I was a mom,

I changed my clothes when they were stained.

Thought poop was disgusting.

Gagged at drool.

Never imagined sniffing a diaper.

Before I was a mom,

I had big plans for my future.

Looked into college.

Never considered the cost of day care.

Had no idea what effaced or epidural meant.

Before I was a mom,

I slept through everything.

Didnt realize how exciting crawling could be.

Never thought to videotape someone walking.

Didnt know how beautiful mama sounded.

Before I was a mom,

I never watched a baby sleep.

Never appreciated a soft giggle.

Never knew how much love I had inside.

Never thought one small being could change me so completely.

Before I was a mom,

I never realized a feeling so great,

So wonderful,

So intimate,

As loving my own child.

Tricia Goyer

L ike most little girls, I imagined marrying a great guy and becoming a mommy. In bed at night Id let my mind wander, picturing my future family. I loved watching reruns of The Brady Bunch and decided I wanted six kids too. My guy would be the best of TV hubbies wrapped into one: handsome, funny, kind, and always understanding. (Rich wouldnt hurt either!)

I also imagined the day Id tell my husband I was expecting. He would come home from work to our white cottage with green shutters, and Id have a candlelight dinner waiting. Baby back ribs, baby carrots, and baby peas, of course. Id be glowingnot from the candlelight, but from the joy of expectancy. My husband would look at me with one eyebrow cocked. I would nod enthusiastically and wed embrace. After dinner wed head to the mall to pick out our first baby outfit. Perfect.

Reality check! What really happened was quite different.

I was seventeen. I was riding home from the doctors office with my mom, and I felt like puking. I bet my mother did too! I was her little girl, but now I was going to be a mom. We both were clueless about where to go from there.

As we drove, I saw a familiar car heading the other direction.

There he is, I blurted.

My mom flipped a U-turn. We followed the dented Nova into the McDonalds parking lot. Another girl shared Robs (not his real name) front seat.

I jumped out and marched to his car. We need to talk.

The chick glanced the other way, and he followed me back behind the dumpster.

I looked into his eyes. His gaze was ice cold. I glanced at the lips I had kissed a thousand times. They were pressed into a thin line. This was the person Id dated for three years, but things had begun to stink. Neither of us had been happy together. We had a love-hate relationship. We hated the way we treated each other, so we broke up. But we loved getting back together. This time I knew back together wouldnt happen.