Ruth Schwenk - The Better Mom: Growing in Grace between Perfection and the Mess

Contents

The current social media climate of Pinterest perfection can leave a mom feeling less-than when she compares her life to those of other moms. But what if we learned to actually embrace the less-than-perfect parts of our days as we parent our kids in the midst of the mess that motherhood often is? The Better Mom is a fresh dose of perspective that will enable moms to grow in grace, find God in the small things, and learn to love their lives.

KAREN EHMAN, Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and New York Times bestselling author of Keep It Shut and Pressing Pause

This book is a cup of cold water for the endurance run of being a mom. Whether youve just begun or you are fifteen or twenty years along that roadyour soul needs this water stop. Her words refreshed my motherhood.

SARA HAGERTY, author of Unseen and Every Bitter Thing is Sweet

Who knew motherhood was supposed to be messy? The perfect combination of encouragement and inspiration, The Better Mom is the perfect dose of reality and grace for any mom feeling like theyve fallen short.

RUTH SOUKUP, New York Times bestselling author of Living Well, Spending Less

The Better Mom is the perfect encouragement for every moms heart! Through vulnerability and sharing personal stories of her own motherhood journey, Ruth inspires moms to intentionally pursue becoming better moms as we all seek to be more like Christ. Ruths stories of motherhood and marriage are relatable, letting us know that none of us are really alone in our struggles. The Better Mom reminds us not to idolize perfection and experience the discouragement of failure, but rather embrace the truth that we can continue to be better as we grow and mature in our own motherhood journeys.

JENNIFER SMITH, author of The Unveiled Wife and Wife After God

Ruths newest book will give you a counselor to listen to, a friend to walk beside you, and an experienced voice from someone who has learned to seek Gods grace and truth every step of motherhood. Love this book.

SALLY CLARKSON, speaker, blogger, podcaster, and author of numerous bestselling books, including The Mission of Motherhood, Desperate, and The Lifegiving Home

I have spent the last eighteen years of parenting working toward being a better mom. I wish Id had this book years ago! I think every mother would benefit from reading The Better Mom. Its honest, insightful, and so encouraging!

KRISTEN WELCH, bestselling author of Raising Grateful Kids in An Entitled World

Ruth Schwenk is an ambassador for us moms in the trenches. She knows the worries that weigh heavily on our hearts, and she gets the mom guilt that threatens to steal the joy from our parenting journeys. And she is passionate about helping us grow through it and find freedom in it. The Better Mom is a beautiful invitation to draw nearer to the heart of God where he shapes us more into his likeness and we therefore become more of who we long to be for our kids.

JEANNIE CUNNION, author of Mom Set Free

The Better Mom is a breath of fresh air for moms who deeply care to get it right, and sometimes perfect. The great irony of this book is that Ruth invites all the do-ers to do less, and thus experience more during the demanding momming years. A fantastic and encouraging read!

COURTNEY DEFEO, speaker and author of In This House, We Will Giggle

Motherhood is a journey, and The Better Mom is the perfect guide for this journey. Ruths transparency reminds me that I am not alone and that my discouragements and struggles are normal. She is so real! Ruth intertwines her life experience and stories with Scripture in a profound way, as she reminds us that God is shaping us as we are shaping our children. This is a must read for all moms, in all walks of life.

COURTNEY JOSEPH, author and blogger at WomenLivingWell.org, home of Good Morning Girls

Got kids? If so, you need Ruth Schwenks newest book, titled after her popular blog The Better Mom. Ive noticed that were living in a culture that tends toward extremesand motherhood is no exception. In her book, Ruth gently calls moms back to a place of biblically based, Christ-honoring balance in everything from creating a God-honoring home to overcoming unhealthy habits in parenting.

HEIDI ST. JOHN, MomStrong International, author, speaker, blogger, and executive director at Firmly Planted Family

In a culture filled with mom wars and mom guilt, Ruth Schwenk offers a gentle invitation to a grace-filled alternative in The Better Mom. Rife with encouragement and spiritual application, this book will spur readers on to give God glory through our momming, even in the mess.

ERIN ODOM, author of More Than Just Making It and You Can Stay Home with Your Kids and creator of The Humbled Homemaker blog

Half the time I feel like a worn mom, a burdened mom or a wrestling-with-discipline mom. I wonder if I am really cut out for this job. Ruth Schwenks book, The Better Mom, is the encouragement us weary moms need. With great authenticity, she shows us that our worth is greater than our wavering feelings and our value reaches far beyond the endless mistakes we constantly seem to make. If you need hope for today, and for your future, this book is for you.

KELLY BALARIE, speaker, author of Fear Fighting and Battle Ready, and blogger at www.purposefulfaith.com

This book will revolutionize the way you see motherhood. Youll be reminded of your high and worthwhile calling. Ruth writes with grace, humor, and wisdom, giving you the tools necessary to succeed as a mom. As a mom in the trenches herself, Ruth gets it!

ARLENE PELLICANE, speaker and author of Parents Rising

OTHER BOOKS BY RUTH SCHWENK

For Better or For Kids (with Patrick Schwenk)

Hoodwinked (with Karen Ehman)

Pressing Pause (with Karen Ehman)

To Tyler, Bella, Noah, and Sophia
God blessed me beyond measure when
he gave me each of you.

W ait a second. Are you saying you are the better mom?

My sons friend had overheard my husband and me talking about my website, The Better Mom, and he couldnt contain his curiosity any longer. Perhaps in defense of his own mom, he spoke again. So, are you saying you are better than any of the other moms in the neighborhood?

I couldnt help but laugh out loud as I explained to him that The Better Mom isnt about me, Ruth Schwenk, being the better mom. The Better Mom is a community, a place where moms can gather online to learn and grow together. Its a whole lot of moms who dont think they are better, but who want to be better.

The Better Mom is about us. Its about you. Its about the countless moms from all different walks of life, in different seasons, and literally from all around the world. Its about moms who want to be better at this glorious and grueling calling of momming.

There is no greater joy than being a wife and a mother. I have been married to my pastor-husband, Patrick, for nearly twenty years, and we have four amazing kids whom I love to pieces. Tyler is our easygoing and gentle-hearted son. He has a quiet confidence that causes him to be fearless. He reminds me to be bold and sometimes just go for it! Bella, our oldest daughter, loves to give. She has shown me the value of servingsurprising others with small acts of selfless love. Noah keeps us laughing with his one-liners. As our resident comedian, he has taught me to never take life (or myself) too seriously. And Sophia, who has a vivid imagination and extra-large personality, wakes up every day as if it is the best day of her life! She is always enthusiastic about life and keeps me hoping, learning, and dreaming.