My new book, The Cranky Mom Fix, is coming June 4. And this one is a game changer. The Cranky Mom Fix is all about digging to the root of our irritability, our frustrations, and our mom mess-ups—and discovering how to combat the “Momster” within—so we can reclaim peace and harmony for our families, our households, and our souls.
Does that sound good to you? It sure sounds good to me. And I’m telling you—from one {reformed} crank to another—it works. Let’s do this together.
Following is a sneak peek of the book’s introduction. You can also download the first full chapter here {free}, and go here for details on how to pre-order the book {because when you pre-order, you get a bundle of bonus goodies including my Let’s All Get Along sibling Bible study and Parenting Backwards course for FREE}.
Let’s boot that Momster out the door, amen?
Hugs,
Becky
Introducing Monster Mom
There’s this woman who shows up at my house sometimes. She’s crabby, critical, self-centered, frazzled, and she throws better tantrums than my toddlers ever did.
My children call her Monster Mom. Momster for short.
Sadly, she looks a lot like me.
We all hate her.
I remember the first time Monster Mom arrived—unannounced, uninvited, as she always does. My firstborn daughter was only three weeks old. Precious baby girl had the audacity to wake up screaming and demanding a diaper change again for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. So with eyeballs burning from exhaustion and hormonal tears, I rose, stumbled to the nursery, scooped my bundle from her crib, and placed her gently on the changing table. She stared up at me with those glossy saucers, wide awake and needy. I sniffed—and my nostrils were accosted by the stench of a blowout diaper. We’re talking 2 a.m., full-body bath, start from scratch with a new onesie, whoa momma, throw the old one away.
That was the moment something in me snapped and my sensible soul gave way to the Momster possessor. She opened her mouth and growled—actually growled, Lord have mercy—at a helpless, beautiful, ginger-haired infant, my treasure from God.
“Grrrr!!! Why won’t you let me sleep? Mommy is so tired!!!”
Suddenly, as if someone had slapped me on the cheek, the sound of my own voice startled me and I crumpled over the changing table in a ball of weeping shame. I stroked my baby’s fingers and cried, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Monster Mom had crept in and thwacked us both hard.
I wanted to strangle the blasted witch.
Unfortunately, though, she kept showing up. Over the years as my baby grew and became a big sister, Monster Mom gained twice the strength and cause for rebellion. Now she faced two children, two different personalities, two harried schedules to keep, and one worn out mother body that just could not resist the overpowering urge to blow. Through sibling squabbles, disobedience, and back talk, not to mention those daily episodes of pushing my dawdling children out the door while barking classic parenting lines such as “I told you to put your shoes on” and “School doesn’t wait for us, people!” it came to pass that Monster Mom upgraded from visitor to resident, leasing a long-term agreement with my heart.
She burst on the scene whenever my kids bickered, begged, bellyached or whined.
She erupted from my lungs each time a Hula Hoop popped me in the forehead. Or a Nerf bullet. Or somebody’s foot.
And she greeted my sweet children if they woke before sunrise insisting Oreos make good breakfast food. Of course, Oreos are fantastic any time of day—if you’re the mother. But everybody knows children shouldn’t eat cookies for breakfast, right? Or can they? What would a good mom do in this situation?
If I didn’t know the answer, Monster Mom did.
And I resented her for it every time.
Do you resent her, too?
Then listen close. I have good news for you, my friend. It just might be the very encouragement you’ve been desperate to hear.
I got rid of her.
That’s right. Monster Mom doesn’t live with me anymore. I’m proud to say I tossed her out on her prickly behind, and she has not unpacked her bags in my house since. Oh, she threatens to squeeze through the window from time to time, but now I know how to keep her out. I’m wise to her devices and have learned—the hard way—what it takes to beat them.
Do you want to know, too?
How can an ordinary, God-fearing woman manage to defeat that cantankerous beast who wears her clothes and steals her voice and crushes her child’s spirit?
Is it actually possible to be gentle, patient and unconditionally kind—even when the kiddos aren’t?
And how in the world can we break the cycle of disobedience, punishment, frustration, and regret?
Ah. The answers lie in the pages of this book. And I’m so happy you’ve joined me here.
If you know Monster Mom like I know Monster Mom, if she invades your home and your aching heart, too, then welcome, sister. You have come to the right place. Together, over these next many chapters, we are going to discover how to tame that nasty Momster and reclaim true peace for your soul. It’s going to be a beautiful transformation, I know this firsthand.
You will be kinder. You will be softer. You will enjoy your children more than you scold them.
And the entire family will reap the benefits.
Are you ready? I cannot wait to begin.
To continue, download the first chapter and pre-order a copy of The Cranky Mom Fix for yourself and all your friends. I promise you this book is a shame-free zone. And I’ll be right here to walk with you on the journey.
Blessings,
Becky
P.S. While you’re waiting for the book to arrive, check out my Stop Yelling! 5-Day Guidebook for Moms, available now in my Free Resource Library.
Excerpt drawn from The Cranky Mom Fix: Get a Happier, More Peaceful Home by Slaying the “Momster” in All of Us (Bethany House Publishers). Used by permission.