UPDATE: Comment numbers 67, 492, 461, 151, and 264 are the randomly selected winners of this giveaway.
“I’ve had enough. I’ve had just about ENOUGH of the arguing and fighting!” I yelled.
My kids stopped the squabbling mid-argument. I took a deep breath. Finally.
And then my daughter whispered one word under her breath, an insult directed at her brother.
A dam broke. I said things I shouldn’t have. I was angry. I left my children standing in the kitchen.
And I closed my bedroom door.
I headed straight for the bathroom and locked it.
That’s when I felt it, desperation clawing it’s way into my heart. I couldn’t breathe.
I’ve been here before. Last week and the one before.
I feel inept as a mother a lot of the time. I try. I try really hard and I connect with my kids, we laugh and talk and I get it right some days. But it’s the days in-between, I wonder if I’m undoing the good I’ve done.
Motherhood turns you inside out. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by how tired you feel; the days go on and on, and you want to be a “good” mom, but you feel like a failure so much of the time. -Desperate
We don’t have a manual or how-to instructions that come with our children. It’s trial and error. It’s good and bad. It’s hard and easy. It’s heartbreaking and breathtaking.
I take a deep breath and lay my anger, failure and desperation at His feet. In that dark bathroom, I receive grace. Grace to breathe, to mother when I don’t know how.
Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson’s book is like oxygen to a mother’s body. It’s simple, yet often-forgotton permission to accept grace in motherhood. They challenge mommas to lean on God and others who are further down the road during the joyful and challenging days of raising little humans.
If you’ve ever felt desperate as a mom, this book is for you.
Today, I’m giving away FIVE copies of Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe
We often don’t talk about the desperate moments because we’re ashamed. There is power in sharing them–it frees us and offers encouragement to others.
Please leave a comment if you’ve ever been a desperate momma (as your entry).
Oh yes! 4 kids, three who are teenagers, desperate seems to be my word of this year.
It’s a daily struggle. This is twice this book has come across my path today, maybe the Lord is trying to tell me something!
Desperate is a good word to describe motherhood. Although every stage has it’s difficulties, I miss being able to fix most things with a kiss. It is such an honor to accompany my teens on their journey to adulthood but some days are so hard.
I read through over 100 posts and realized that I am probably not the only one who have jumped up and down, having a tantrum of my own out of frustration. And having my 4 year old tell me today that I’m not his best mommy and he isn’t going to play with me or give me hugs and kisses. There is comfort in numbers!
Haha oh yes! Thanks for the giveaway!
More than I care to admit, I have desperate moments. Parenthood is so much harder than I expected, but on a good day, much more rewarding too.
I could just insert my name into this post… that’s how much it’s like me. Thank you for your encouragement of grace for our most desperate times.
Oh yes, even when they’re grown:)
Me? A desperate mama? Four babies 5 mos to 6 years and an active duty husband who’s away quite a bit right now. Umm…yes…about once an hour.
Yes, 3 kids, desperate, been there…..
There are desperate moments around here with 5 little loves, 8 and under. I love them much and try my best for them. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
I definitely get desperate daily with 3 boys under 3! It’s a blessing but it gets to be a bit much many days!
I currently have three girls… Meaning I will have three teenage girls…we homeschool!
I am feeling VERY desperate lately.. three kids, homeschooling, the flu mixed in.. and lots of (pre)teen DRAMA!!
All.the.time. I was just going to check my library to see if they have this book and it’s also in my cart on amazon. I so need this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh my goodness, when am I NOT feeling desperate??? I have a 5 yr old (who seems to be going on 17) and a 13 week old and most days I feel like I am at my wit’s end, even though I love my boys tremendously.
Daily! I only have one child but it is still a daily struggle to climb out of feeling desperate!
I have 2 little ones currently – 2 1/2 and 3 months. My toddler is my trial by fire. She is wonderful with more charisma than she knows what to do with. I love how great and entertaining she is. But with this comes a very willful, stubborn, emotional streak. And that doesn’t mix well with my very sinful short fuse. I have a tendency to burst out at her in anger when she is pushing my buttons. It’s gotten alot better in the last several months, by the grace of Jesus only, but I still see it rise up when I’m stressed or tired or hungry (which, really, is a good part of the time). And I hate that I see her doing these same things. She gets frustrated and angry quickly too. And I see her slam drawers, doors, or just hit a wall (don’t think she’s seen me do that one) when she doesn’t get what she wants. I don’t want her to think of me or remember me as an angry mommy. Jesus is changing me, but I don’t think I’m always very cooperative.
I’m there most every day
Definitely! I have 2 girls, and they are all drama!
Oh I am so glad you are here. I don’t hide in the bathroom; I prefer under the bed.
Yes, yes, and yes. Life is easier than it was a year ago, but with four kids 7 and under, still trying to pull our family together after being separated by hospitalization for a few months last winter…it’s been a rough year. Years.
Very much so!
Desperate Mama here…Was that just yesterday?
I have been wanting to read this book so much and would love to win it!
Desperate and often feeling inadequate. So inadequate. Theres so much I want the 3 (7/9/12) to learn, know, understand, etc etc etc and just not enough time/energy. And PMS does not help at all!!
Thank you so much for sharing! I feel like I’m the only one that has moments like that. Last week we had a moment where one kid drenched his hearing aid (not supposed to get wet) while the other pooped all over the bathroom (ahhh potty training). I lost it! After screaming and using words I’m not proud of I hid in my room and cried. Sad moments, desperate moments, moments we feel all alone.
Absolutely been there. Would love to read this book.
I totally felt like that, just yesterday. My hubby is a trucker driver so it’s just me , the 18 month old, and the giant dog all week. Yesterday, some body didn’t want to nap and I had a horrible headache. I wound up lying beside her and we both cried.
EVERYDAY!
Desperate? I actually feel like I’ve accidently stepped into a dark deep hole and haven’t hit the bottom yet. Two beautiful children: 9 and 2.5. My sweet precious 2.5 was born with a heart defect and severe reflux. He’s developmentally behind and possibly has sensory processing issues. I haven’t slept through the night in over 2 years due to his issues and also because my 9 year old daughter has started talking and crying out in her sleep. I love my children so very much- but I sometimes feel like I’m literally going to come out of my skin. Last week my poor baby had a stomach virus sending him into a reflux nightmare- this week it’s a double ear infection and high fever. There are no pinch hitters; this is the motherhood no one talks about. Be 100% for both kids and still have something left. Haven’t yet figured out a way to keep from feeling like a failure.
Absolutely! Most days with a teenager, a 9 year old and an ADHD 5 year old! Desperate (along with guilt) is my middle name many days. Sounds like a great book.
I feel this way many days like am the worst mother ever. I try so hard and fail. But keep trying. Feel so alone like I am the only one when I hear other mom’s softly, gently, patiently handling their children. I often wonder why God entrusted me with my beautiful 2 children. I love them with all my heart, would lay down my life for them but so often feel like such a failure and if only I could start over.
We have a precious little adopted boy that was born addicted to the crack cocaine his birth mother smoked daily. He is a never ending little boy of energy and noise. He has the dearest heart and has so much love, but there are many moments that I am desperate………….desperate for QUIET, for CALMNESS, for PEACE. Being a homeschool mama that recently finished aggressive cancer treatment and trying to daily pour out my energies for my family, has left me *desperate* in many moments.
Of course! I have a 2 year old and 5 year old!
I feel like I have more moments of desperation than calm as I navigate parenting three kids (3.5, almost 2, and 4 weeks). It’s hard and I’m thankful that I’m not alone.
I have arrived at the stage of desperate nearly everyday. I have two teenagers. My son is going through growing pains (of I can do what I want to do and I don’t have to do what you say.) . My daughter feels she is grown at 14 and can not wait to move out. Somedays I have had enough and I forget to guard my tongue. So help would be much appreciated. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway.
I have been wanting to read this book. Being a mother is the most challenging task of my life!
So many times, I have 2 boys, 5 and 3-years-old. I know I’m not alone in it, but its so nice to be reminded.
Oh yes, I think every mom has many moments of desperation. I’d love to read this book.
I would love to win this for myself and use it in a mom group I help lead.
Desperate….I am part of a moms group that call ourselves “The Desperate Housewives”. we get together once a month to get out and have a day with woman that are walking the same road we are. I would love to read this book! Desperate doesn’t sometimes hardly come close to how I am feeling waiting for this day to come….I would love to read the insight and thoughts expressed in the book!
After my fourth child, I really felt a difference. A constant pull in multiply directions, ALL day long. No chance to have a moment to think or catch my breath! I’m just purely outnumbered
I love being a mom, it’s my dream come true. And yep, desperation is often my location.
Desperate momma of three little boys right here !!!!
Those moments are what make me scared to have more kids. I feel like I can barely do it with one, let alone 2 or 3 or more.
I was desperate at times raising my six children – it really made me turn to God for help!
Oh my I have been desperate countless times. Most of the time I find its usually outside influences topped it off my kid like actions! Once it starts to happen it sure seems like water boiling over and there’s no stopping! My kids are 11 &12, 10 months apart! One is visually impaired. I’d Love love love this book and I’m sure it would be a great read and much help! Thanks for All you do!
I think every mom has felt desperate at some point. Thank you for the giveaway.
Well, my baby is 24 now, I am beyond those type of days as a mother. I miss the old days!
Be blessed, thank you for your blog and sharing your family with us.
ummm….you mean like this morning when I YELLED at my 7 year old to stop yelling at me?
Oh gracious your post made me giggle — I have done that before! Then he pointed out I was yelling at him!!!
I do have my moments with having 3 boys ages 11, 14 & 16!
I resemble this book. I had my four children in 5 years and while I was physically exhausted when they were all little, I am finding that preferable to the emotional and spiritual exhaustion I feel now that they are teenagers and pre-teenagers! A good nap doesn”t always remedy the situation!
As my sister always tells me: “Motherhood is a marathon not a sprint!”
Mothering is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I. Need. Help!
My husband just had his gall bladder out, my two kids (ages 3 and 2) are driving me crazy. I have no family with the nanny thing but flying distance. you could say I’m desperate at the moment.
I haven’t become a desperate mommy yet….today! There’s still time though, (especially) seeing as I was awake from 2 am to 7 am with one daughter who isn’t napping this afternoon either (but her usually not-napping sister is right now, urgggh!!) and therefore got a grand total of 5 hours of sleep before and after that. It’s something that hits multiple times a week right now as a mom of 3 year old twin girls who are stretching their independence skills, one foot still firmly in babyhood, the other in childhood. Thank God for grace and mercies that are new every morning, even when morning starts at 2 am!
6 children; 17, 15, 15, 9, 20 months, 20 months….numerous times a week it seems that at some point or another there is a desperate moment where I, too, run to the bathroom, lock the door and fall to my knees begging for help, begging for guidance, begging for patience, begging for strength to face situations that I don’t want to face. Thankfully, His grace and presence wash over me the minute I call on Him….just wish I would remember to do it sooner before I get to the overwhelming, do something stupid moment. SIGH. Tomorrow is another day, thank goodness!
Unglued is also a really good book, because we all co e unglued at one time or another!
I am due in a week with our third child- my oldest just turned 5 and my 2nd is 3. I definitely have desperate days and even though we are excited about the upcoming birth, boy do I already feel desperate thinking about some of the times ahead!
Raising 6 and I know exactly how you feel! Most days I feel like I’ve messed up my kids one way or another!
Oh yes…. I’ve so wanted to read Desperate – and am so motivated!
The bathroom… I was just there last week, screaming up at the ceiling: This is impossible!
I love the honesty in your post. I hate it when I lose it with my kids, when my example doesn’t feel like enough. With four kids age 7 to 19 and the demands of life, I am learning to breathe daily and lean into Him.
Yes. I am a desperate, missionary mom of three teen/pre teen boys.
Every day I need to be reminded of that grace. I’m new to being a stay at home mommy. I’m new to having more than one child. I struggle every day to keep my cool, remain patient, and realize I can do this – the hardest job on the planet! – and be successful. Too often though, I just feel like I’m the worst. I’m my own worst critic, Debbie Downer, and worst enemy but only I can also have the power to realize that if I keep myself focused on the cheering from God then I can be the best mom He has made me to be. Love your entries and your mission – peace!
20 starts to this post and all deleted. Lord have Mercy.
I’ve felt desperate too — for change in me and in my kids.
THANK YOU!!!! Some days you feel like the worst mom ever because you had abad day or you got frustrated, etc…. It’s nice to know you are NOT alone that other Mommy’s have same struggles!!! I have a 5 year old son I am raising alone — so thankful because when I retired from Air Force we moved back home to be close with family. God has been so good to us…. And thank you your posts always make me feel not alone in the struggle of worrying if you are “good enough” mom!!
Oh just about every other day….more when they have continual snow days and I just want them to leave!
I’ve read it, loved it, would love to give it away as gifts to friends!! This is my go to gift now to other mom friends.
Most days!
I struggle with feeling like a failure as a mom daily. I transitioned from working outside the home to a staying at home with my kids a few years ago. It has been a wonderful yet very tough transition for me. I was so organized and on top of things when I worked outside the home but now I am always behind and exhausted.
Yes! I think my expectations are so high that I often forget to give grace, especially to myself.
Oh YES! I was that desperate Mama more than once today
Mothering is so much harder than I expected! It’s not so much any one thing… but all of it, together. Day after day. The mental challenge of staying ahead of them, knowing when to show grace and when to punish. To see the heart issues and deal with them. To be consistent… all the livelong day! Big sigh.
uh…yeah…pastor’s wife with 6 children…yes.
One preteen girl and one teen boy and me going through perimenopause!…too many hormones raging in this house
I have to say, this stage of life has definitely enhanced my prayer life!
At 23, I was a career-bound structural engineer. Then I got pregnant. Now, fourteen years later, I’m the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful daughters. This was not what I had planned for my life and for the longest time I fought against it. I stay desperate for so many things: a quiet moment, a clean house, an uninterrupted meal, privacy in the bathroom. Mostly I stay desperate for grace with myself, my husband, and my kids. I so identify with locking yourself in the bathroom.
Just today…I loose my cool…blow my top…and it hurts…them and me and Him. I needed your words today, and no doubt need the words in this book too. Thank you!
Desperate. Yes. Inept. Yes. Grace? Yes, please!
My oldest is sitting here with me, and said “Oh, wow!” when she saw the many responses to this post. I guess I’m not alone…
My daughter and my only child will be 23 years old on March 5th. I’m desperate to have a loooonnnnngggg talk with her. I’ve confessed, repented, and received forgiveness from God. I’m desperate to receive her forgiveness.
I have been having so many struggles with my 13 year old daughter lately. It seems as though I mess up, she messes up, we apologize and ask forgiveness then the next day we are doing it again. uuuuuggh!And I have been through raising a teenage daughter already, but the struggles are different… This is the second time I’ve seen this book recommended lately. Maybe I should get it?
I have been a desperate mom too many times to count!! I guess in my desperate attempt to gain contol over what’s “out of control. ” As you said, only by God’s Grace are we forgiven repeatedly!! What a loving Father!! The book sounds interesting, can’t wait!
sigh. I struggle with this so often!
I am a desperate mom for SLEEP! My 10 month old still does not sleep through the night and I am tired daily. But I know he will grow up and sleep on his own (eventually).
I thought parenting was a cinch until my toddler began expressing his opinions about life … :~)
Oh, and I have the book (a generous friend bought it for me when I said that I really, really needed to read it), but I’m entering because I’ve been wanting to send a copy to my sweet friend Carol who just moved to Thailand to serve the Lord. She has four little ones, ages 8 and under, and I know she would love this book!
Every day!!
When my normally even-keeled 2-year-old screamed, “YES. NO. YES. NO…ETC ETC” and flung himself to the ground to any choices as I was trying to get out the door to deliver new-mama goods to a friend…. on time. Time lost and God won, with all credit to God and my husband who reminded me that consistency and love matter most. And that this is just a phase
I have twins. It’s not always, not even most of the time, but desperate is the right word. Thank you for your post. Sometimes it’s enough to know it’s not just you.
I am a mom of 5-ages 6 and under. I want this book but its outside of the budget right now. I really hope I win.
Desperate is a good description of motherhood. Am I doing this right, will my son hate me, etc. Would love to win this book!
At almost 400 posts I am definitely not feeling alone in my desperate moments, but I think this post and this book crossed my path for a reason today. There were a few desperate moments today as I tried to work through a migraine and keep up with our daily routine. Hoping to do better tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder that it happens to all of us.
Today is that kind of desperate mom day…..disobedience, non-listening children,
Messy bread dough spread all over the front of the fridge …definitely made for a xrazy day…and though I didn’t go overboard, I was very disappointed with my little girl. Grace is what Ineed eight now to face what lies,ahead.
totally had one of those moments this morning. My oldest always has a way of making me blow my top. Then we miss the school bus and I have to drive them all to school… sigh… I suppose that makes me as desperate of a mother as any.
I am desperate nearly every day at some point. I have wanted to read this book for a while, but haven’t been able to purchase it. Hearing other moms’ struggling with the same things I do gives me hope…
Oh, man, YES! Two sons under the age of 3. There are days that desperate doesn’t even begin to describe it!
I have a 3 year old little blessing who is a very spirited child. He brings me great joy and also brings me to my knees. I
Laprochaine at gmail dot com
Desparate, longing for a helper, looking to my Saviour, wishing as I teach my children to be selfless, it would be more instantaneous for this Momma who knows the blessings, wishing I could be a model of gratitude and joy faster than I can correct or direct…
I’ve been wanting to get this book!
So..yeah…sometimes I fail so hard I have to cry on the bathroom floor. I feel like I fail my son…and then it hits me that God entrusted me with this child…and…sigh…some days are better than most. But I am a single mom of a 9 yr old (almost 10) and I must depend on His grace and mercy DAILY. And… remember that my son is just a kid…and not let ME get in the way of parenting him! Thanks for sharing!
Every day is a struggle. Thank you for your honesty. I can’t wait to read this book either way.
Definitely desperate! Good days, bad days…..either way I’m still desperately in need of fixing!!
This was my day. All day! Tomorrow will be better, I have hope that it will.
Just yesterday when my son muttered a bad word under his breath. I felt completely responsible. Why would he say that. I did not raise him like that. In those moments I feel like a failure.
Your posts the past couple days have really hit home with me. Desperate – a lot. Wanting so badly to do right by them but my humanness bubbling to the top. I would love to read the book. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’m pretty sure this book was written for ME!
Thanks for letting me know about this book. I’ll be buying it because I’m a soon to be mom and I want to be well prepared ahead of time lol.
I am in need of this, yes I feel desperate often. The times I yell are give me the most guilt, I need direction and would love to win this, thank you.
When they’re little, our children are a handful…when they are grown, they’re a heartful!
My sister in law just recommended this book to me. I’m hoping to read it someday this year.
Oh I am desperate pretty regularly. I raise my voice with that feeling of tight anxiety in my chest.
And then I want to cry, afraid I’ve hardened their little hearts a little but more.
It’s so hard to be so tired. And feel like an island.
I only have one child right now, pregnant with number two, and we’ve just started into the independent stage of 21 months. My sweet, compliant little one has begun testing boundaries multiple times a day, and by time number 6 or so, I become a DESPERATE momma. I’ve begun waking up a bit earlier to spend time with the Lord each morning, but though I’m feeling the difference spiritually, I’m so tired, sometimes the two cancel each other out.
I’m still learning to be a housewife, too. Turns out that living in a house all day every day makes it much messier than cleaning it once a week and leaving for work every morning. As I’ve begun training my little one, I’ve realized how many discipline issues I have in my own life. I’m quite grateful for the growth motherhood has brought, but sometimes I feel quite desperate while I wait for the refining to hurry up and mature me.
I have a feeling this book may be quite timely!
Oh yes, I definitely need this. I feel so incredibly guilty when I lose my temper with my boys.
Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses…… So thankful for God’s grace, especially in parenting! Would love to read this book! Thanks for keeping it real, Kristen! God bless you!
Having 5 kids (and a miscarriage) in 11 years has had it’s challenges. Even though they are mostly grown (now ages 17 to 28) , the feelings of desperation and unpreparedness to mother them and their spouses and children are still often overwhelming! I’m so thankful The Lord walks with me through each challenging day! He knows our circumstances from squabbles to birth defects, to a grandchild born out of wedlock. How could we walk this path without Him?
Too often…more than I wish. But, maybe it’s part of this parenting thing.
I know exactly how you feel.
And you may want to edit this post and remove the expletive. It’s a “dam” that broke.
Oh yes! I feel like I’m not doing enough. No matter what I do, it’s never enough. I desperately just want to enjoy being wife, mommy, homemaker, and God’s child.
Yep, quite a few of those “locking myself in the bathroom” kind of days. As the mom of 2 boys, some days my patience is stretched and broken. We all need a little grace sometimes though.
Yes! I am desperate to read this book. After the conference this past weekend in Dallas, I am so inspired to bring more civility to my home. Thanks for the giveaway…and for your honest words. Much love!
Yes, I have… And we are just getting started! I have a 5-year-old boy, and 2-year-old girl, and a baby on the way!
Oh my… so desperate! I yell way to often at my two boys. I know they would love me to NEVER yell. That is my desire. God is my provider! Thank you for this!
I have felt desperate way too many times and needed that grace. Thank you for your transparency.
Yesterday was a low day. I have been feeling quietly desperate. Attempting to balance work and home, family and self, can be overwhelming all too often. Know that you are used by God to give hope to this lonely heart.
This is Janet here and yes I have been there and I am still there .It seems like everyday
So comforting to know that I’m not the only one who ends up losing her temper over the bickering that goes on amongst my kids. And so THANKFUL for God’s grace when I fail day after day. Love your blog!
As a mom of 4 special needs every day is somewhat desperate. Thank you for this fun offerring. God bless.
Desperate today…..totally could use this.
Yes! I would love to read this.
As a homeschooling mom of two little ones, I struggle daily with patience and being the “good” mom that they need.
Wow! Desperate definitely describes me… homeschooling mama of 5 children… most days I don’t know how to cope.
Oh YES! Today, RIGHT NOW. My 7 year old girl and 11 year old boy won’t stop fighting and my 14 year old has to be driven out to and picked up from youth group.. pick up is after the 7 year olds bed time and it’s YOUTH GROUP at our church, it should be a blessing and right now all I can see is inconvenience and burden. And I”m so tired.. (fighting a cold). Thank you for reminding me God’s grace is enough and i”m not alone.
I think I’ve been in Desperate-mode for the last several years… just trying to survive. I know God has so much more for me, but I can NOT see it in the craziness of life
Been desperate for years – this book would be great. Thanks for the giveaway!
Yes, this book would be a great encouragement!
Every day!
I’m a homeschooling mother of an all girl crew ages 8, 6, 6, and 6… so of course I have my moments!
Relieved to know I’m not the only one. Thank you Jesus for your grace!
I feel for all the moments I have lost my temper with my children.
Desperate for God’s truth and grace to penetrate me AND my children as we journey together as a family. Thank you for an opportunity to have this book!
I’m a desperate momma. I’m parenting a teenage daughter…enough said, right? Thanks for the giveaway.
yes please … tough weekend here
Struggling today. glad it is bed time so I may regroup with Him
Wow! You have written my story in this post! Desperate…what a great word,
Motherhood- the toughest job you’ll ever love. Causes me to go to Jesus every day!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
)
I’m so glad you wrote about this! I punish myself by not being able to eat the next meal when I do this… Which makes me more grouchy, or humbles me if I approach it like a fast. But I cry so much thinking that’s all my children will remember… I have scripture all over & never thought I would struggle with a temper!!! Being a quiet shy person who had never struggled with it before.
“We often don’t talk about the desperate moments because we’re ashamed. ”
thanks for this post tonight. i was DESPERATE for it! bless you for your transparency. i would love to read this book
Going on 3 a.m…..watching Mickey Mouse, feeding my 11monther graham crackers the couch so she doesn’t wake her 2.5 year old brother. File this one under things I said I’d never do before I had kids. Thank God for Grace, graham crackers and cartoons.
I am touched by your openness. Sometimes, when I feel this desperate, I think “Am I the only one?” But no, I cannot be.
This definitely speaks to my heart, thank you for sharing. I would love to read this book!