“Mom, you’re too much” my teenager said on Saturday. The youngest boy is cursed with living with a fledging mom who works from home and counsels others. That makes for a lot of words stuffed in midlife woman who’s hormonal and a natural emotional extrovert.
Similar to the days when I was cooped up with Littles, the winter blues bring an influx of chattiness when other humans come around. I was sick last week and as I felt better, a flood of emotions erupted and the need to connect with people was imminent.
So my son enters the room and I verbally vomit on him. He cleaned it up by saying I was too much.
Do you ever feel like you’re too much? Your kids are too much? Life’s too much?
If you do, I’ve got a secret for you–it’s a book by my friend Jessie Clemence that was just what I needed on the day it was all to much for me.
“Dear stressed out woman with a twitch in her eye. Hey, you there….I see you.”
This opening line got my attention on the day I had hoards of thoughts racing through my head. Jessie wrote an endorsement for my upcoming book for moms losing their mind, so I felt like I found my forever friend because she spoke my language.
It’s the language of not being all put together, all counselory and Bible teachery twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Because in between morning devotions and therapy appointments, real life happens. You get sick. You cough and wet the cushions on your couch before an interviewer comes over. You forget the name of the bleacher mom you’ve been talking to all winter and have to own up to the fact that you can’t remember and have been too embarrassed to tell her.
That’s me folks. What I love about Jessie’s book, “I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars: Biblical Alternatives to Stressed Out Living” is that it’s practical, biblical advice for everything related to life. Her candor about being a normal mom connects with me.
Though I’m full of wisdom some days, on other days, I feel like a bumbling idiot. And I’m secretly afraid I’m the only one. Jessie lets me know I’m not. She also gives practical, biblical truth for topics that women face. Her book is divided in three sections:
- Part 1: The Relentless, Endless Much of Adulthood.
- Part 2: Other People and Their Chaos Stress Me Out
- Part 3: Sometimes I Stress Myself Out
This is the type of book many women need before they ever come to the counselor’s office because much of what stresses us can be averted before it becomes unhealthy and overwhelming. Sometimes we need others telling us, “it’s normal” and “you’re not alone.” Jessie does that for the reader in such an authentic and humorous way that is just the therapy I need when my son tells me I’m too much.
I’m recommending Jessie’s book for you and just ordered a copy that I’ll be giving away when it releases next week. Enter the giveaway by commenting below about what stresses you out. What are some of those simple things that cause you to be too emotional or too much? Respond by next Tuesday, February 26, and we’ll draw a winner.
Exciting News
- Fledge is now available on Amazon! It releases March 13
but you can get it now! - We will be starting a Fledge Parenting Forum on Facebook for moms in all seasons of letting kids go. I’ll have more information next week. To keep up with all of this, join me on Facebook.
Local Events March 17
- Have you ever thought about writing your story? Your family’s story? LaGwana Publishing is partnering with myself and two other authors to help individuals explore ways to share their stories. Find out more here. It’s free, but you need to register to attend. It’s March 17, 9-11 am, at The Farmstead Inn in Shipshewana, IN.
- Meet me in person for a book signing and a brand new copy of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind on March 17 from 1-3 pm at The Glow Bookstore in Shipshewana, IN. Even if you’ve preordered one on Amazon, buy one for a friend or for your church library! I’d love to see you!
- The Faith Gathering is from 6-9 pm at The Farmstead Inn on March 17. There are only 12 tickets available at The Glow Bookstore. Get your ticket and join us for an amazing night of ministry!
Congratulations to Angie Cupp and Megan Hite for winning copies of “I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars!
Hi Brenda!
For me, I think it’s having an almost 3 year old and an 8 month old and trying to keep up with the expectations I put on myself.
Oh, Megan! I wish I could say, “Give up all the expectations!” But I know it’s not that easy!
??♀️ This is me. Slightly stressed ALWAYS.
My biggest stressor is when I have a pile-up of church/ministry stuff to do on top of parenting my 7 kids. Who are clawing and screaming at each other. Trying to leave for school in dirty clothes without brushing their teeth. Oy!
Yes, Carissa! You will LOVE Jessie’s books! Kudos to you because you’re surviving well in all you’re doing!
Hi!!! Brenda!! I really wish I could make it in shipshewana this year in March but I won’t be able to. These two books, are they ebooks or actual books?
What stresses me out the most is probably having a 17,13, and 5 year old, it just seems like I can’t be everywhere….
Oh Kristine! That’s a big stress! Yes these are both real books and you can get them on Amazon! Glow Bookstore will be carrying my book!
I only have two kids, but it’s stressful when the needs of both seem to conflict. I can only be one person, at one place at a time! Too much noise. Not saying “no” when I need to.
What stresses me out is when I can’t get my work done in a day. I wake up with a to-do list full of activities to do in my home and outside of it and at that moment I feel as though I can accomplish it all. But come 3:00 and the kids are about ready to come home from school and my to-do list is not even half-way done, I am known to get frazzled. I like to get life done to “perfection” at the end of the day. But exhaustion and/or interruptions get in the way and soon that last load of laundry can’t quite get put away or the nice family meal I wanted to make didn’t seem to look like I wanted it to. I have to learn to slow down and breathe and cuddle my kids when they get home and realize that having a smile on my face when they get home is more important than crossing that next “thing” off my to-do list.
Oh Amber, is this book for you! I think so many can relate with that to do list and the perfection…and the meal. I make Mac n Cheese last night and felt rather under the bar!
I totally understand the to-do list stress! That thing is relentless! 🙂
What doesnt stress me out is more like it. As my oldest daughter keeps reminding me how in “18 months she will be off to college and is so excited” (alot more than me) while my 2nd grader reminds that my oldest is ” off to college in 18 months” and hates it. Ugh…the emotions someday are relentless. Yet i pray and know somehow, i think, i will survive. Right???
You will survive Patti, but it’s hard and stretching. You’ll love Jessie’s book and also Fledge! They are written for you just where you are!
Things that stress me out. Unrealistic expectations. To many obligations in a given week. The stage of life that we are in. The teen/toddler era!
Yes Angie! It is real! Toddlers to teens. This book will help you and so will Fledge! Some days it is too much!