Mere Motherhood: Morning Times, Nursery Rhymes, & My Journey Toward Sanctification

First, I buy (and read) a LOT of books, mostly from Amazon. Mere Motherhood is the first book (for that matter, any Amazon purchase) for which I’ve written a review.I really thought I was too cynical (and probably burned out) to read another parenting (or homeschooling) book. I was wrong. Years ago, I read Cindy’s blog faithfully, and shamelessly copied her fabulous ideas. She’s about 10 years ahead of me raising children, and she succinctly understands where I am. I read the whole book tonight, utterly inspired. A few pages in I decided to not highlight but read as quickly as possible (I can read it again to highlight, I quickly decided). Halfway through, I had my phone in one hand, filling my Amazon cart with her suggested resources (I already owned a lot of them). I love how she can interweave Wendell Berry, Scripture, CS Lewis, and LI Wilder references. “God was God and I was not.” “We’ll always have Narnia.”Finally, I think it’s a fascinating memoir of one person’s mothering journey for any other mother to read, whether she’s just starting out, totally fledged her nest, homeschooled or not.

After receiving this book I sat down to read a chapter but could not put it down. I read it in one afternoon. Very easy to read, but filled with so much knowledge! Cindy invites you into her personal reflections of homeschooling and I am so thankful for her wisdom. I highly recommend getting her “Handbook to Morning Time” as a companion to this book. There she lays out lesson plans and many of the books that she loved and even list of poetry and scripture that she used. I just discovered Cindy by accident this past summer, and she has been an immense blessing to me as I started introducing Charlotte Mason methods in our homeschooling this year. Most peaceful year of homeschooling so far ,thanks to the wisdom from ladies like Cindy, that are willing to share with the rest of us.

This was a treasure! I'm sure I will return to it over and over again!

It’s like have coffee (or tea) with a dear friend. You sit and listen all the wisdom she has to offer. The glimpses of her as a young mother and the stories she share makes me feel less alone. I felt encouraged that this brilliant woman has no complicated formula or unattainable product recommendations. Just a classic book, a mother’s heart, and little ones. Be prepared to laugh, cry and be encouraged. This is definitely a book that I will be reading every year.

I just closed this book and said out loud, “This was a fantastic book.”The writing style was easy to read, the humor had hints of self deprecation, the wisdom was thrown into fun anecdotes and musings, making it feel to this mom in the early homeschooling stages that maybe, just maybe, wisdom is more accessible than I fear in this crazy life of kids and reading and potty training and... and... and...I was encouraged every time I read it. If you are a homeschool mom who needs a reminder not to take life too seriously and at the same time be encouraged about the meaning behind what you do, I think you will be encouraged too.This, by the way, was my intro to Cindy Rollins.

This is a beautiful book. The author is a talented storyteller and seamlessly weaves the narrative of her life journey as a new mother, an old mother, and now a grandmother. There is so much wisdom in this book. She is retrospective in her analysis but it is not over the top (those who have read a few of the many Christian mothers books will know what I mean). This is not a book that tells you how to implement homeschooling principles or raise Godly children, though she does give a glimpse into those days, but instead this is a book about her version of motherhood. It’s joys and its challenges. I especially respect her for not being afraid to pushback on movements in the Christian church like ultimate submissiveness of women to their husbands. I removed one star because at the end of the book I felt like there were a lot of random statements about modern culture that were thrown in. I do disagree with some of the stances she took, but the reason for four stars was because I felt like it was an unnecessary tangent which was not the most pleasant way to end such a beautiful autobiographical story.

In some miraculous way, Cindy Rollins is able in Mere Motherhood to really capture what being a thinking mother is. She lays it all open--the joys, the lows, and the in between, and helps the reader think goodness, truth, and beauty about each. If your mothering journey right now is peaceful, I think you'll be inspired. If it's hard and hurtful during this season, this book will be a balm. Mere Motherhood could be a quick read or a slow, thoughtful one. Your choice. But either way, this is a living book on parenting and homeschooling.

What a quick, well-timed read as I am in the thick of homeschooling my four children! Cindy has a lovely way with words, and I thoroughly enjoyed her life story.

Toda mamá que educan en casa sentirá aliento al leer las memorias de una mamá que educó a 9 hijos en un perido de 30 años. Realmente disfrute la lectura

Cindy Rollins paints a candid picture of life homeschooling multiple children in the midst of a challenging, providential life. I love the way she weaves her narrative with quotes from scripture and many good books. It is clear that words and language are a large part of her life and philosophy of education.

I loved this memoir! It is witty, intelligent, heartfelt and helpful. The wisdom and humour had me nodding my head, shaking my head, and laughing or crying my head off. But it touched my heart more. Thank-you Cindy.

What I loved the most about this book is the truth in it. I really felt like she just told her story the way it was; without editing. As a mom of nine children myself, I could relate to so much - even the run down farm and the rodents! Thank you for the inspiration to keep going!

Great writing that really captures the reality of homeschooling! Cindy has a great sense of humour and lots of useful advice.