Catholic Review of: The Handbook for Catholic Moms

Hendey covers topics ranging from community to stewardship to taking care of yourself to spending time with God.  One of the things that I love about this book is that Hendey is not afraid to cover a topic just because she isn’t an expert.   And she tells you that repeatedly.   She does, however, include information from other moms who are, as well as plenty of ways to find more information and help.   She also doesn’t shy away from the normal idea of mom/dad/child and addresses help for those who are single mom’s, no matter how they got there.  Rare is the book that specifically addresses this particular group of Catholic mom’s even though plenty of them exist.
 

She also frequently quotes saints, priests, the Catecism, and others of authority in appropriate places in this book.   While it is obvious that she is a layperson, it is also obvious that she is real and has been there and that makes her (and her advice) approchable.   There is nothing she suggests that feels impossible to try or do.   I love that this is not just a book on how lovely it is to be a Catholic mom but inspires you to do better and gives practical tips on how to do that.   Practical books are my favorites.
 

Overall, this is an excellent book for a first time stay at home mom who may not know how to juggle everything there is to juggle at first.   I would also recommend it to any mom who is struggling in their vocation; they may just find the piece that they are struggling with worded in such a way that it suddenly becomes clear what needs to be done.

 

You can purchase this book here.