A while back a lovely online company, Catholic Family Gifts, asked me to review one of their items and I quickly grabbed the book, “The Handbook for Catholic Moms,” by Lisa Hendey for two reasons:
1) I love to read, but rarely make the time. I knew the review/giveaway would hold my feet to the fire.
2) This is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a very, very long time. But again, see #1.
You can see my dilemma/excitement.
When the book first arrived in the mail, I initially thought, “Hey, that will be a cool book to just breeze through. And, I’m betting she says the things I already know.” Over confident, much? What I came to love about the book, though, is that it really IS a wonderful handbook. You won’t just breeze through it in one sitting. I keep finding myself reading forward and then stepping a page or a chapter back and re-reading it because I love the advice so much.
Y’all. I have even busted out the highlighter.
The pages are marked with prayer cards, napkins and business cards. True story.
I *may* have taken it with me to CNMC in Dallas in hopes that I could get Lisa to put her John Hancock on it. But, darn it all if she had already headed home by the time I arrived. Guess I’ll just have to stalk her somewhere else.
The thing I love most? Lisa doesn’t pretend to know it all. She tells a bit of her story at the beginning of each chapter and then reaches out to other moms to share their insight. The book is broken into four big categories: heart, mind, body and soul. Within each section, she addresses specific topics like building a community by reaching out to other mom’s in your parish, taking care of yourself (fitness, nutrition, etc.), parenting special needs children and finding your big, bad place in the world we call Catholic motherhood.
How did I operate without this handbook before? It has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I’ve even found myself strategically attacking my weaknesses as a mom. Now I feel like I can and that there’s an army of support out there.
I’m putting this on the top of my “buy this for a new mom” list. If you’re looking for a book that won’t be gathering dust on the bookshelf, but rather be your new hipside companion, you’ve come to the right place.
That’s right, it’s Giveaway Wednesday time. If you’d like your very own copy of the book, just comment below. The giveaway lasts until Monday, October 8 at 1pm CST. I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday, October 9!
*I received a free book from Catholic Family Gifts for this review but all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
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Here at Team Whitaker, I blog about life as it happens: big families, carpool, Catholicism,Texas Aggies, prematurity, DIY/organizing projects, sanity checks and the occasional glass of wine at 10am. You get real Kathryn. Unedited, honest and hopefully funny. Motherhood and our faith lives are a journey, join me. 
{ 42 comments }
Would love to add this to my “collection”!
I have a few friends I think would love the book!
Wow, Kathryn, what an amazingly kind review! Writing the Handbook was a labor of love and a real team project, so I’m very happy that you picked up on the importance of having other contributors’ voices and perspectives at play in this work. I’m actually currently recording an audiobook version of this book, and so much of it is so timeless – and I’m still on “baby steps” for much that I hope to learn and do in my own mothering. Thank you again for sharing the book with your readers. I’m honored!
Hi Kathryn!
I would love a copy! I also loved your post about Mass with kiddo’s… I need to fight my fear of her screaming and just go!
I have been looking at this book and wanting to get it, but it seems my entire book budget is spent on homeschooling. Lisa is from my neck of the woods, Mater Dei.
I’d love a copy of this! Thanks!
I’d love to win a copy.
I love the idea that she combines “typical” parentting strategies with special needs. Not many books address both. Boy, would I love a copy!
As a Catholic mom I need all the inspiration I can get…would love this book!
I have been wanting to read this for a long time! Thanks for the chance.
This would be a great book to share with my Spirit of Motherhood group.
I would love to add this book to my home library! As a Catholic Mom of 3, this is really an answer to a prayer!
Yes, please! Would love to be in the giveaway.
I have been wanting to read this for a while! Great giveaway.
This book sounds great. As a new mom of a 10 month old, I am just starting my journey through motherhood and I would love this book to help me through! Thanks for the review!
Wonderful. Thanks for the chance. I’d like to read a copy. Renea.
I would love to read it!!!
I could really use this right now! I’d love to win a copy! Thanks!
I am a Catholic mom of three, and this sounds like it’d be a great inspiration! Thanks for the chance!
Would love the book!
I’d love to win this!
Sounds great! Always looking for help about being a mom!
Sounds like a great book. I would love to read it!
Looks like just what I need – with a full-time teaching job and 3 kids going in 21 different directions and having to get them there I need some reminders of what’s really important! Its now on the top of my list of Must Reads!!
I agree with your glowing review – this book is wonderful! We read it in our parish moms’ group when it came out, and this year we are reading her Book of Saints for Catholic Moms – also great! You are right, this book belongs in the hands of every new mom!
This looks like a great book! I’d love to win one – thanks for a chance
It sounds wonderful and like something that would really help me as a new Catholic.
I am a Catholic. I am not a mom but my sisters are as are my sister-in-law and my mother. I am the aunt to 11 on my side of the family and 4 on my husbands and I think this would help me .
I have been looking at this book for a while now….thinking about getting it….would love to win a copy.
Sounds like a wonderful book that I could get a lot out of as a Catholic mom of 3 who has to move every 2-3 years for my husband’s job. Trust me– I need every piece of advice that I can get! Thanks for reviewing & posting the giveaway, Kathryn!
Have had my eye on this book for awhile! Would love to own a copy!
I am always looking for good, fresh Catholic literature, especially books for moms! I would love a copy of this!
I’d love to read it!
I have 3 small kiddos, love reading your blog! I have read so many Christian based parenting books, but nothing from a catholic author, so this would be great for me! Thanks for the review!
I would live a chance to win this book! I just brought my preemie twins home after 5 1/2 months in the NICU. They have some medical challenges, and I could use some pick-me-up lessons!!!
Have been wanting to read this book. Pick me! pick me!:)
This has been on my Amazon wish list for awhile! I’d love to win this!
I’ve been meaning to read this book too. Being a mom of two (3rd on the way
) and newly catholic I’m trying to get my hands on as much as I can. I also wanted to pick up her new book about saints for catholic moms!
I would really love to read this book!
Pick me! Pick me!
I am in great need of more Catholic literature in my life!
Expecting #1 in January, and I’d love to have this on hand.
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