Longtime reader of Simple Mom and blogger over at Steady Mom, Jamie Martin has just released her first book, Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood
Jamie has a big heart and an encouraging spirit, and her book drips of her passion to inspire moms to treat their role of motherhood as the most rewarding job around.
This weekend, she is generously giving three Simple Mom readers a signed copy of her book! And I recently had a chance to chat with her about this latest work…
1. Congratulations on the release of your book! Can you tell SM readers in a few sentences what the book is about?
Thank you so much, Tsh!
Steady Days
2. I know many mamas feel like they don’t have time to be a “professional mama,” and that they feel so much pressure to do things perfectly. What would you say to those mamas?
Professionalism isn’t about perfection or adding anything extra to our already very full plates. It isn’t about trying to “do it all” or do what some other mother is doing with her kids. In my mind, being a professional mother means not allowing life to just happen and pass you by. It means choosing the type of life you want for yourself and your family, and purposefully going after that goal. It means playing to your strengths–thereby becoming the best mother you can be for your children.
3. What’s one word you would use to describe the atmosphere in your home?
Freedom. My goal is that the atmosphere in our home allows each member of our family to become our best self–discovering and using the incredibly unique talents and skills we’ve each been given in a way that helps and impacts others. I want my children to feel free to become who they are meant to be–to be influential individuals who think for themselves. And that’s what I also want for myself as their mother.
4. Do you ever get asked, “How do you do it all?” Explain a little bit about how you choose your priorities, and about how you deal with that never-ending to-do list at home.
I don’t get asked that very often–I think it’s because I’m so open and real on my blog about all the things I don’t do!
I only put six things on my to-do list each day. Often the first three repeat: read to the kids, make dinner plans, do laundry. The other three spaces allow me to sort out life as it happens and time for blogging/writing projects. And that’s a wrap! It’s a very full life but one centered around my priorities, not someone else’s. I love it.
5. What’s the main thing you hope readers of your book walk away with?
Confidence. Sometimes parenting books unintentionally heap further guilt on mamas who already doubt their mothering abilities. Steady Days
6. What does this next year look like for you? Any plans to write a second book?
2010 is going to be an incredible year, and kicking it off this way is such a wonderful start! I’m also privileged to be part of one of the new blogs Tsh is launching in February through Simple Living Media. I’m thrilled to be the editor for the new site, Simple Homeschool, which will enable me to write about another of my passions–education.
I do have plans for a second book. I’d like to write about how we can give our children a global perspective–enabling them to become leaders who impact and change the world. But I won’t be getting started on that for a few months, not until I can make it work for our family and still keep everyone sane. As I mentioned above, I can’t do it all! But global-mindedness is a subject very close to my heart.
And most of my year will be spent loving and learning with my three little people. That is, after all, the most important thing.
Giveaway Time
This giveaway is now closed.
Here’s how to win one of the three signed copies of Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood
1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question — What do you think is the single hardest thing about parenting?
2. To enter a second time, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter (use the “retweet” button at the bottom of the post).
3. To enter a third time, write about this giveaway on your blog, using this post’s URL (not Simple Mom’s main URL).
This giveaway will end on Monday, January 18 at 11:59 p.m. EST. I hope you win!
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the hardest thing in parenting is to be able to balance your person needs and the needs of the kids.
The hardest thing about parenting is following through with what you say and the unknown if you are doing the right thing. I just keep praying for guidance!
Blessings and joy,
Heather
The hardest thing about parenting is following through!
Thanks so much Tsh and Jamie for this giveaway. Your book sounds terrific, Jamie!
For me the hardest thing about parenting is coming to the understanding of two seemingly contradicting of truths: First of all, everything I do as a mom is of eternal importance — every little thing matters. Secondly, I am not in control of everything my children will be or do. They are their own people, whom God relates to in their own relationships. It isn’t all about me.
.-= ChristineG´s last blog ..Birthday Tradition…or what we ate for breakfast today. =-.
It’s quite difficult for me to do for my children what I can, then have the faith to entrust them to God’s care, in spite of my successes or failures as a mother.
Hi there,
first of all: I am Dutch and my English is not very good.
My personal struggle is: finding a good balance between making a nice, clean, cosy family-home and making time for the children without worrying to much about the jobs that need to be done. I want a clean house, but more I do want happy children (and us, parents). Really difficult to accomplish, I think.
Greetings, Mieke
The thing I find hardest about parenting is organising my time to find enough time to do everything and spend lots of quality time with my 3 beautiful children. In 2010 I am working hard to have my house more organised, so I can have more free time and I am proud to say that, so far, I am making good progress!
The hardest part for me is feeling like a failure when the day is done. I feel so much pressure to be the perfect mother, wife, friend, daughter…you name it. When I measure myself against some of the “perfect mom” criteria (preparing wholesome meals, keeping a clean home, nurturing the children, maintaining finances, growing spiritually, etc), I know I’ll never measure up. That’s hard to deal with on a daily basis…even when I KNOW those expectations are too high! Oh, and finding some time for myself…
The hardest thing for me is finding balance….banlance between a school age and preschool child…my husband…home and self.
This book sounds wonderful and I will definately take time to check it out. Thanks for sharing it with us!
.-= Jen A´s last blog ..Kindergarten =-.
Moving in to a new adventure of being a full time SAHM, this book would be perfectly timed!
Fingers Crossed.
.-= Angela´s last blog ..Just a mom! =-.
time, our most valuable commodity. There is never enough….so I’d say prioritizing it is my biggest challenge.
I am actually not a parent yet and so I’m not sure what the hardest thing about being a parent is. But the whole job looks difficult: finding balance, keeping priorities straight, etc. I would like a chance to win the book anyway!
.-= Joelle´s last blog ..Praline Pumpkin Pie =-.
Knowing how to balance it all!
The hardest thing I believe to do as a parent is sit back and let your child fail at something that you can not control and they will not listen. Now that my children are older I really wish I would have let them make more small mistakes on their own.
Having the confidence not to second guess yourself. So much of parenting is for the long term goal. You don’t always see immediate results in parenting.
heart training is the single hardest thing… I can change the behavior of my kids, but must wait and live by faith for God to change their hearts.
For me, the toughest thing lately is ensuring unstructured time with each of my three children (ages 5,4,2).I am such a task-oriented person that it is sometimes easier for me to tackle the next task rather than just sitting/playing/walking/singing etc with my little ones.
I think the hardest thing about parenting is finding a good balance between everything. Finding time for myself (almost never), my husband (only after our son goes to bed usually), my son (tons of time, but it seems as though it’s always spent doing errands or chores!) and just daily life tasks. It just feels like when you do find the time, it’s not always of the best quality because you’re so worn out from doing everything else!
.-= April: Modern-Mama´s last blog ..The Rusted Chain Giveaway at V and Co. =-.
Balance. By far the hardest thing. Balance of career and family, home responsibilities and fun, friend/individual versus mom/wife . . . it’s one giant balancing act!
the hardest thing about parenting is doing the hard stuff — disciplining consistently!
The hardest thing about parenting is encouraging our children to become their true best selves and to encourage them to be these people who also practice the virtues of kindness, generosity and compassion (to name a few).
When I think back to teaching my kids to put on their clothes, wash their hands, etc… that seems a lot easier now. Those tasks had to be taught but that is practice of teaching/learning for the bigger issues.
I’m realizing that if I didn’t keep a good relationship with my children or spend loads of time with them, I couldn’t teach them to tie their shoes and I can’t teach them these bigger things now. Time with them is key and that’s not easy when our paid work takes me outside the home.
I’m learning that if I want them to be compassionate, I need to lead them with compassion.
One of the hardest things about parenting is sticking with and by my ‘alternative’ choices. Cloth diapers, homemade baby food, long-term breastfeeding. I have made these choices for a reason and I believe they are the best choices for my family. I have to stop feeling like I have to justify my choices to others, because I never ask others to justify their choices.
I have posted this contest on my blog for Monday morning. Cheers!
.-= Laurie Meher´s last blog ..Meal Planning =-.
I think that the single most difficult thing about parenting is not comparing your children or parenting style to other people. A woman in my Mommy Group has a son who is one month older than mine and even though I know I shouldn’t it’s difficult not to compare my son to hers when I hear that he’s already rolled over and my son hasn’t done that yet.
P.S. I just found your blog and I love it!
One of the hardest things for me as a mother is not comparing my son to other children his age. There is so much focus on whether he is meeting his milestones, or sleeping through the night, or whatever else someone feels like measuring. He is his own little being and was created by God to be special as he is.
Single hardest thing? It’s tough to pick just ONE, but I would have to say just being in the moment – each moment- with my kids. Stopping my mind from being everywhere else, including on my mile-long “to-do” list each day, and focused on my kids and savoring the moment and just being the best mom possible.
I told hubby just last night that most days I feel like a ‘failure’ in the domestic role, though he assured me I’m not. Going from being a “career” woman to being a new mom with 20-month old twins, every day feels chaotic and there is always so much to do, it can be overwhelming. I’d have to say letting go of the *idea* or *expectation* of perfection is hard too… I feel like I should be able to do it all (after all, I was able to “do it all” in the business world,) and live up to this ideal of the CLEAN house, homemade meals, no piles of laundry, perfectly happy and constantly engaged kids, etc., but I fall drastically short of that expectation I set upon myself – and that is difficult to accept. I love being a mom, but hate how hard I am on myself. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to read Steady Days!!
My one big goal for 2010 is to “be intentional” with every area of my life. Obviously, parenting falls into that, and I have really been trying to be intentional with my parenting. I would love to win this book! I think it would help me so much!!
I think the most difficult part of parenting for me is prioritizing. Making sure that the kids know they are more important than all the daily tasks of a stay-at-home and homeschooling mom, and still get it all done. Yet, making my relationship with God and my husband more important than my children. Trying to balance it all and not stress out about the lasting imprint I am leaving on my children, good and bad, and praying that God makes up the difference!!
I think the hardest thing is feeling like you aren’t doing anything all day, when sometime your children just need love and attention. Giving them that really is important even though it doesn’t seem like much sometimes. (that made more sense in my head!)
I think the hardest thing about parenting is remember not to react to a situation but to respond to it. Not only does this help me with my kids but it also teaches them how to respond in the world.
For me (with two boys 4, almost 2) it is training the heart/attitudes/actions of my 4 year so he is joy to be around instead of an energy drainer.
The hardest thing about parenting for me is finding my own willingness to continue daily to fully GIVE myself to the task – and to my children – in a joyful and Christ-centered manner.
Love this post and concept. Thank you.
.-= Susan @ Heart Pondering´s last blog ..Parenting by faith, not formula =-.
The single hardest aspect of parenting for me is the struggle with perfectionism. My idea of a “perfect mom” and the reality of my life as a stay at home mom don’t match 99% of the time, and I get frustrated and down on myself for what I think are my failures as a mom.
The hardest part for me has been trying to find out who I am now that I’m a mother. I am not the same woman I was 12 months ago. I’m not the same wife either.
For me, the hardest part of parenting is the sleep deprivation. And, in light of that, I honestly can’t remember whether I’ve already commented on this post!
For me, the hardest thing about parenting is creating a schedule that gives everyone a rhythm to life while still allowing for the unpredictable things that will most surely happen, i.e. how to create a flow to the day with grocery shopping and naps while still allowing for an infant who’s teething or a preschooler potty-training. I seem to go between super-scheduled and then no schedule at all, neither of which is conducive to happy mom or kids.
The hardest thing about parenting is maintaining confidence in your convictions… I so often find myself questioning myself or letting doubt creep in about my decisions. I love feeling supported though, I love what Jamie said about purposefulness… the book sounds great!
I think that the single hardest thing about parenting for me is patience. I need to practice it more especially with my children. Very humbling to admit that. I find it so hard to remember patience after a full day with all of the other demands that fall on my shoulders and then one of my little ones need more of me because of something or other (Uh, Mom? I just spilled on the carpet). I’m sure all you moms can relate. I am sure that I am not the only one!
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Away for a LOOOONG time! =-.
The biggest challenge of parenting for me so far has been wanting to get it all “right”. It’s hard to choose what decisions are best for my children, and it’s easy to second-guess those decisions once they’re made. It’s a big responsibility! Maybe we will have it figured out by the time they grow up and leave the nest.
Just blogged about this post. Read it here: http://4livingsimply.blogspot.com/2010/01/another-giveaway-over-at-simple-mom.html
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Another giveaway over at Simple Mom =-.
The hardest thing for me, being a Mom, is being consistent. I seem to parent more by emotion than by intention.
The hardest thing about parenting for me is rising above my own emotions. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, and can freak out easily if I’m in a cranky mood…but you can’t (well, shouldn’t, at least too much) do that as a parent!
The hardest part for me is not having vacation days or sick days to recover & rejuvenate.
I think the single hardest thing about parenting is having the confidence that what you are doing is the right thing for your family. I’m always second guessing myself and wondering if I should be doing something different.
For me, the hardest part of parenting is being intentional. I don’t want to get so busy with the “chores” of daily life that I miss out on the simple things with my kids. Time goes by so quickly, I just don’t want to miss it.
I think the hardest thing about parenting is focusing. When I am able to be in the moment with my children, I am a much better parent, but so often my mental to-do list is tugging away at my attention instead.
I think the hardest thing is discipline. It takes great wisdom to discern the heart issues involved according to each child’s persona, as opposed to merely addressing the behavior in a systematic, one-size-fits-all manner. And it takes great commitment to follow through even when it’s terribly inconvenient, which it often is.
The hardest thing about parenting is filtering the great suggestions from the blathering of all the well-meaning friends and relatives. I just want to say, “We know what our kids need. Just let us raise them, OK?”
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Trial run. =-.
For me, time management is the hardest thing about parenting, especially since my second child was born. I would love to win–thanks for the chance!
.-= Eos Mom´s last blog ..Resolution Post =-.
for me it is definitely balance. I try to be too much to too many facets of my life, all the while knowing if i would be faithful in my time with God , He will help me with all of the rest. also, i never feel there is enough time in the day!
This is a tough question – but I guess feeling like there just isn’t enough of me to around.
The hardest part of parenting for me is the constant second guessing that I am raising my children the best that I can.
That your children have a will… that more often than not doesn’t match yours – and overcoming this challenge to help them grow into God-fearing adults.
I think the hardest part of parenting is trying to find a balance between being a mother, a wife and a friend. I feel like it is only natural for your kids to become your main priority but sometimes I need to find time for the husband and my friends! I love my two little ones and I love spending time with them but I need to remember that there are other people who need my attention too!
The hardest part for me is balancing what I *want* to do with what I *need* to do throughout the day–and knowing the difference!
The most difficult thing for me is definitely time. Finding time to do everything that needs to be done while still spending a lot of quality time with my kids.
.-= Jaime´s last blog ..new release . . . =-.
The hardest thing of being a parent for me is setting priorities for my children. I really want the best for them. But there will come a time that what we think is the best may not bring happiness for them.
I think the hardest think about parenting is reinventing yourself on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. My kids are young (2 under 2) and they are constantly changing, and the second I feel like I am getting a handle on things we are off in a different direction. I am slowly learning to keep and open heart and mind, but always feel a step or two behind
I find the hardest thing is the emotional tug of war that comes up sometimes…needing to disappoint when it is for their own good or feeling worn down by their negative attitudes or conflicts. Fortunately this isn’t an issue every day. I consider it is a joy to know the precious people who are my children!!!
The hardest thing for me is getting a good balance between my kids’ needs and wants, my needs and wants, my partner’s needs and wants and the household’s needs. I think this book would go a long way towards helping me achieve that balance.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Healthier Berry Mousse =-.
The hardest part of parenting for me is to striving to be the perfect mother. I work so hard at this ideal that I can not live up to and it has caused lots of suffering in my parenting. I want to learn how to enjoy my children wherever they are at without always correcting them. And to put them as the priority not my chores and errands. I hope I win it sounds like an inspiring book.
I think for me, it’s finding a balance between the things I want to do and the things I need to do. With 5 young children, there are always things that NEED doing (laundry, dishes, diapers), but there are also things that I want to do (bake, read to the kids, write, teach them some special thing outside the scope of schoolwork). My needs and wants are important – but finding the time to do both seems impossible most of the time!
Sleeping.
.-= Tammi´s last blog ..Soak it up =-.
letting go of regrets – moving forward.
The hardest thing about parenting for me is keeping up with my kids needs. I have a 14 year old, 7 and 4 year old, different stages in their lives. Keeping up with their changes and finding a balance among all three of my beautiful kids!
Like most moms, my biggest struggle is juggling my many hats: wife, mom, homemaker, employee, believer, daughter, sister, friend… I want to be the best parent I can be, but it wouldn’t be healthy either if my kids were my sole focus. Keeping everything in perspective can be hard when days get stressful.
I think the single, most difficult part of parenting is time management. It’s so hard to be really consistent at balancing quality time with your family along with getting household responsibilities accomplished, not to mention the additional work tasks that come along. I’d love to win this book however as I think her perspective is just perfect on how to view mother hood as a “profession.” What a lovely post to remind me of the kind of life I want to create for my family. Thank you!
.-= Quinn´s last blog ..Design Monday =-.
The hardest things for me is patience.
The hardest thing for me is that it is so intense.
Years of hardork with little break (when all you would like is 10 mins rest!) and little visible progress compared with the amount of time and effort put in.
Then they leave home and you hardly see them!
I blogged about this giveaway:
http://becomingmyme.blogspot.com/2010/01/striving-toward-steady-days.html
.-= Claire´s last blog ..Eat Your Fruits and Veggies =-.
The most difficult part of motherhood is feeling like I need to be four different mothers, one for each of my very different children.
Patience…not a virtue of mine-but I’m trying
.-= Hchybinski´s last blog ..creatively speaking. . . =-.
the hardest thing about parenting??? everything!
seriously…
i think that trusting myself as a mother is the hardest thing about parenting. pushing aside what is popular or what other people advise and really going with my gut on how to parent.
the hardest thing about parenting? remembering at all times that my most important role is still to be a daughter myself. it’s from that posture that i have any hope as a parent at all to raise them to be people that love and follow jesus.
The hardest part of parenting is finding “me” time and the “me” in “Mom.”
Hope I’m not too late! Hardest part of motherhood: finding balance between time with kids, time with spouse, working, cleaning–there’s always the un-ending to-do’s.
.-= Tamara´s last blog ..Detox: Day 1 =-.
the hardest thing would be the constant dying to myself (i.e. the act of selflessness).
.-= Kamille´s last blog ..Avellinos ‘Unplugged’ =-.
I am so anxious to read her book and learn more about her professional approach to parenting. I am intrigued!
The hardest thing for me is having to be selfless! I never knew how selfish I was until I became a mama. I’m daily learning how to “die to self” in order to better serve the needs of my family. It’s a hard, but so worthwhile, road!
.-= Nicole aka Gidget´s last blog ..Compassion for Haiti =-.
I need to tell you, my brain has caught the six-things-list in a big way. Thank you both for this!
.-= MemeGRL´s last blog ..MPM–Slow Cooking =-.
I have only been a mom for 6 months ! The hardest thing so far has been staying ahead of the game … ahead of my daughter… her needs change constantly. From breastfeeding to eating solids – from 3 naps to 2 – I spend what little free time I have on sites like this one researching what is best for her. If only I could pause time!
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