Grant - Momumental: adventures in the messy art of raising a family

Wow. Jennifer Grants MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family is more than a parenting book. It is a love story, a must-read for every mom (and dad!). With gut-wrenching honesty, Grant reminds us that imperfection should be celebrated, not feared, because we find beauty, grace, and redemption in the messiness of real life. A life-changing book that will inspire you to enjoy a calm, connected life with your children, no matter how imperfect.

Kirk Martin
founder of CelebrateCalm.com and CelebrateADHD.com

Readers have come to expect humor, warmth, and wisdom from Jennifer Grant. And MOMumental does not disappoint. Packed with stories of her successes and failures as a mom, Grant gives momsand dadsa real treasure in this book: the knowledge that none of us is perfect, and yet each of us is up to the momumental task of building a great family.

Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira
author of Grumble Hallelujah and Mamas Got a Fake I.D.

Jennifer Grant has done it again. MOMumental, marked by Grants trademark humor, is a delicious weaving of her insights on parenting and family life. By just a few pages in, I was musing to myself, Man, shes the real deal. Though Grant humbly confesses her faults and foibles, its crystal-clear to the rest of us that shes really got a good handle on this whole parenting business. Read this book. Youll be glad you did. I was.

Margot Starbuck
author of Small Things with Great Love,
The Girl in the Orange Dress, and Unsqueezed

Jennifer Grants new book is as refreshing as a latte or wine break, as forgiving as your best friend, and a lot cheaper than a therapist. By sharing her hard-won personal wisdom and witty, intelligent writing, Grant will make you realize that your kids will be fineand so will you. Though her personal faith infuses her philosophy, this book never seems preachy. She provides a great example for all parents trying to raise kids at a healthy distance from the most offensive aspects of popular so-called culture.

Meg Cox
author of The Book of New Family Traditions:
How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays & Everydays

MOMumental did two things I didnt believe any book could do: Its wit and wisdom so completely enraptured me, I found myself taking notesboth mental and with actual pen and paperso that I could return to its vast treasure trove of practical and spiritual wisdom and share it with others. Moreover, it elicited such from-the-bottom-ofmy-soul laughter and delight that I caused a full-blown scene on the cross-country plane ride where I read it. MOMumental is a book about parenting, family, and intentional relationships for readers who normally avoid such fare like an overzealous street evangelist. (Raises hand.) Through the marvelous honesty and infectious humor with which Jennifer recounts her parenting adventureseach of them grounded in deeply inviting and transparently authentic real-world faithMOMumental is a delightful and surprising gift to us all, one that I already have begun pressing into the hands of anyone who crosses my path (beginning with my seatmates and the flight attendants on that ride from Washington, DC to California.) Fasten your seat belts, folks; youre in for an unforgettable ride. (Oh, and parents: Dont forget to put your own oxygen masks on first before helping those around you. Really.)

Cathleen Falsani
award-winning journalist and author

After graduate studies in child development, I was certain of one thing: the only parenting book that I would ever consider giving to a friend would be Bettelheims A Good Enough Parent. The title says it all. With Jennifer Grants new book, MOMumental, I could feel confident passing along a companion text. Through her engaging stories, Grant lets us know how she journeyed from the dream of becoming an exceptional mother to her understanding that parenting is a messy and joyous art. Jennifer Grant does not give us prescriptions or answers. She shares the wisdom about parenting that she developed on this journey.

Jim Gill
musician, author, and child development specialist

Once again, Jennifer Grant has written a memoir about parenting and family life that makes you want to sneak into her house and magically become one of her children, for as long as you can get away with it. And not because she is the perfect mother, but because she is both candid about her struggles as a mom and yet also inspiring with her dreams and ideals for her family. Grant reminds us that amidst all the craziness and stress of modern-day parentingno matter how flawed our mothering may sometimes bewe are all more than capable of doing that which is most important for our kids: loving them, connecting with them, being smitten with them. And I know that after you read MOMumental, youll be smitten with Grant and her wonderful book.

Helen Lee
author of The Missional Mom

This lovely, honest look at mothering will encourage every woman who has wondered if she has what it takes to succeed at lifes most important calling. Filled with humor, poignant anecdotes, and great advice, MOMumental should be on every moms shelf.

Dale Hanson Bourke
author of Everyday Miracles and Embracing Your Second Calling

Like a much-needed, laughter-filled conversation with the best of friends, reading MOMumental centers me as a mom, reminding me to be content with the blessings of sometimes-messy family life. And it inspires me to ask myself the right questions, to seek after whats truly meaningful, and to dream the very best dreams for my kids.

Kelli B. Trujillo
author of Faith-Filled Moments: Helping Kids See God in Everyday
Life and The Busy Moms Guide to Spiritual Survival

In MOMumental, Jennifer Grant stares down the monster of idealized parenthood, laying bare her own dreams and failures as a mom and ultimately offering up a gentler, more effective model. Any mom living the competitive lifestyle that is modern motherhood will find relief, companionship, and encouragement in this delightful book.

Lara Krupicka
writer, speaker, and mother

MOMumental is like having a cup of tea with a wise sister. Affirming, funny, and poignant, Jennifer Grant gives us all permission to loosen up, make mistakes, and love our kids like crazy.

Monica Selby
freelance writer, blogger, and mommy of three

I love Jennifer Grant. In fact, every mom deserves at least one Jen Grant in her life. Shes that friend who offers a healthy perspective, a good laugh, and a good crysometimes all at the same timewhile she affirms, honors, and celebrates you and your life as a mom. Grant specializes in joy. And her new book is an intelligent, honest, and life-affirming memoir celebrating the unparalleled joys, unending rewards, and monumental challenges of motherhoodthe good, the bad, and the wacky making. You will love