The Velveteen Mommy: Laughter and Tears from the Toy Box Years

Like all busy moms, I tend to forget what is important in raising children ~~ and Doucette is here to remind me! This is a lovely book ~~ inspirational and funny in some parts ~~ and refreshing. This book is a Christian book and in some ways, it can be used as a Bible Study ~~ but I read it to know that I am not alone in the trenches of mommyhood! Written with gentle humor, Doucette writes of her own trials as a mother with three youngsters under the age of five. She writes poignantly of her failings ~~ and she writes in a way that the reader can relate to ~~ it's almost as if she's in the room with you sharing her tales of woes and joys over a cup of coffee. As a mom of two very active preschoolers, this book is my "time-out" from their demands. It is just wonderful knowing that I can be a Velveteen Mommy and still be loved by God! If you're a mother of youngsters, I would not hesitate in picking this book up! In fact, I would run to the nearest bookstore and see if they have it in stock ~~ you'll be glad that you did!! 10-24-05

A book to uplift and delight. Jenn Doucette uses humorous stories and biblical wisdom to show us we're never alone. God is with us through the joys and struggles of motherhood. He NEVER fails to pull us out of the "trenches of motherhood," and carry us though another day of laundry up to our eyeballs.

Battered is beautiful - at least if you happen to be a mom! Jenn Doucette does a spectacular job of reminding her readers what a "real" mom looks like: worn, weary, and exhilarated by the thrill of raising little ones. May we celebrate our maternal scars so that we, too, can delight in being the Velveteen Mommy.

As a full-time, stay-at-home mom, Jenn Doucette has learned a thing or two about grace, patience and doubly dirty diapers. She makes her publishing debut on a subject she knows well: the trials and triumphs of parenthood. THE VELVETEEN MOMMY is a lighthearted, humorous look at what it means to be a mom from pregnancy to those turbulent teenage years, written not just by someone who has been there, but by someone who is still there. The title of the book is a takeoff of the children's classic THE VELVETEEN RABBIT and highlights a simple but powerful message: God often uses the process of having and raising children not only to make us more real but also to make us more like himself. It's a fresh reminder for moms who are feeling a little worn out or tired on their parenting journey. Few topics are off-limits to Doucette, who explores everything from childbirth to the perils of trying to potty train a toddler. She writes, "Then there's potty training. Need I say more? Being in the potty-training stage is like traveling to the Twilight Zone. The child progresses then digresses. He's trained; he's not trained. And through the entire process, you've changed your tactics so many times that you can't remember if you're supposed to give them candy or money or a spanking when they actually go in the toilet." The author clearly isn't afraid of being "real," sharing funny adventures at the gynecologist's office as well as her more heartfelt struggle with panic attacks. One chapter tenderly shares the story of staying up until morning with a sick child while another recounts the family's somewhat regrettable decision to raise chickens. Each chapter ties into a spiritual lesson or theme that reminds women to ultimately seek God's help and wisdom. The transitions to these spiritual moments are relatively smooth and convey messages of hope and heartfelt encouragement without being preachy. This is a book that you could give to nearly anyone and find a receptive audience (assuming the person is a parent!). Throughout the book, readers will find little lists, ideas and suggestions. For example, the list of "The Top Ten Things I Learned About Having A Baby" include entries such as "The prudence of the phrase, 'Never wake a sleeping baby.'" And "That JC Penny sends out an average of three photo coupons per week." Doucette's writing is colorful and accessible, filled with countless little observations and ironies that come with being an American mom. She's more than willing to be self-deprecating for the sake of a laugh, and it's her humor that keeps this book rolling throughout. You just never know which way she is going to twist a phrase, expression or idea. The biggest weakness of the book is that it ends too soon --- at a mere 134 pages of reading material, it leaves readers asking for more. Yet even in such a short book, Doucette's love both for being a parent and for her children shine through. [...]

Motherhood involves much more than cradling contented, cooing babies. It means infinite diaper changes and crawling out of bed for night feedings. It demands psychological insight, patience, and a sense of humor. It involves juggling a schedule capable of dizzying organizational divas. The list seems endless. For moms feeling worn out and ragged, this book is like a sip of cold lemonade on a hot summer day. Jenn's insights, gleaned from personal experience, bring laughter and encouragement. A must-read for any mom who needs a lift!