Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday: Say Goodbye to Stressed, Tired, and Anxious, and Say Hello to Renewed Joy in Motherhood

For Sisters with discernment, beware. This author quotes The Message And refers to it as scripture over and over, often wildly misrepresenting what actual scripture says. There are better books out there for encouragement in parenting for believers. Try Parenting by Paul David Tripp.

This is truly the most countercultural, refreshing, and surprising book on motherhood I’ve ever read. Not usually a fan of “these kind of books,” I was floored and humbled by the practicality, the simplicity, and the authenticity of Val’s perspective. The greatest takeaway from this book for me is the view that I don’t have to approach motherhood with the conclusion of “this is as good as it gets.” Even in the good times, I have bought into this lie, that maybe I just wasn’t good at being a mom, and that my kids would have some good stories to tell later as they hopefully learned from my mistakes.If you actually feel “at peace” with your motherhood journey and practice, thinking “this is as good as it gets,” you have GOT to read this. Even just the first couple chapters.Short chapters, minimal cheesiness, practical action steps that are honest and that fit into a real person’s life…that’s all that’s standing between you and a whole new world for you and your kiddos. It really is out there.

There’s no doubt that motherhood is a struggle, but sometimes our attitudes, perspectives, and reactions make the struggle worse. Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday turns our defaults on their head and shows us a better way to live and parent, a way you won’t find by scrolling online or reading funny memes. This book is a call to dig deeper, to get to the root of the battles you face and send grumpy mom packing.If you’re tired of negativity, guilt, and the constant uphill battle of not being enough or having enough, you’ll be encouraged and refreshed by Val’s mission: “To ensure that our kids will remember us as mommas with smiles on our faces—not because we’re fake or phony, but because we’re being continuously renewed by truth.” We are made for more than status quo and cultural norms; even in the mundanity and pressures of motherhood, we can live with abundance and joy

I received this book from Tyndale to read in preview to the launch in exchange for an honest review, and I have to admit, I didn't really think I needed it when I saw the title. I had been the grumpy mom, but God was growing me so much. I decided to go ahead and read it for reinforcement and to be able to recommend it to friends, and before I could even finish the introduction, I was shouting "YES! YES! YES!". Valerie has been gifted a beautiful insight and discernment about the lies that our culture tells us as mothers, and she did a beautiful job using scripture to point us back to the joy-filled version of motherhood that God wants for us. This book is FILLED with rich truth and practical steps that will change your perspective on motherhood radically. I noticed quickly that the things that would typically derail my day and my attitude didn't have such a tight grip on me, and God has truly used this book to draw me, equip me, and comfort me. Goodbye defeated hot-mess mom, and hello purpose-filled and joyful mama who can laugh without fear of the future. Ladies, you MUST read this book!

Grumpy Mom Takes A Holiday is a truly inspired book! I am just a year or two behind Valerie in my motherhood journey and I took away so much light and truth on how to be the best and most Godly mother I can be to my children no matter my struggles. Valerie is in the trenches with us young moms and shares her heart in a vulnerable and encouraging way to inspire all mothers to take steps toward having more peace, contentment and fulfillment in motherhood by banishing Grumpy Mom. Her advice is actionable, forthright and above all, practical. In the few short weeks since reading this book I have seen such a shift in how I view motherhood and therefore act as a mother to my children. I can't wait to return to it again and again as we all need grace and forgiveness, especially in motherhood.

As a mom of 2, I loved reading this book. Val filled the pages with practical advice on motherhood and loving encouragement to take action against the world's definition of #momlife. You do not have to read this book cover to cover, it is divided into five sections and each section can be read on its own. My favorite parts of the book are the action steps and prayers at the end of each chapter. Do not read this book unless you want to see how motherhood is redeemed by the Gospel!

This author is still very much in progress & admits that. Her vision for thriving is much too hollow for one truly seeking the heart of God, but I do pray she continues to catch glimpses of Him in those playroom laundry-folding moments. I came across it thinking it would be a fun, encouraging read & I was intrigued by the outline presented. I was so distracted & discouraged by the perspective and continued mentions of the world’s coping mechanisms (massages, drinks/foods of choice, a life coach, escaping to instagram) that I had to put it down many times. I did finally finish it. There are a few really good points, but you have to wade through a lot of complaining about first world problems to find them. Joy isn't a feeling OR a choice. It’s fruit of the Spirit.

Reading this book has already been so valuable for me. I just had my second baby at the beginning of the year and have had more opportunities to be grumpy with less sleep and less control of my day. This book has (timely) revealed ways I give myself a license to wallow in “grumpy mom” mode and shown me how to renew my mind in those areas with biblical truths.It’s not a self-help book, it’s showing a better way: to surrender to the Lord and allow Him to help and redeem my grumpy tendencies that affect my husband and kids. To fight for joy. A “God-help” book, if you will ;)I love the practical ideas and steps she gives at the end of each chapter to help identify specific “grumpy mom” triggers and to fight with the sword of Truth, God’s Word. She gives Bible verses to meditate on and specific prayers for each area. I’m recommending this to all my mom friends in need of refreshment and hope.

I started following Val on Instagram in response to someone else's highlight of the prayer journals she sells through her website. Her heart for the Lord and time spent in prayer, as well as her practical methods endeared her to me and had a huge impact on my prayer life. When she started talking about her upcoming book, I'll be totally honest - I hesitated. I mean, I have grumpy moments but surely those won't be what my kids remember... will they? As moms, we're often our own worst critics and subconsciously I feared I was grumpy more often than I'd care to admit. I didn't want or need a self-help book confirming that I was doing it all wrong and have it raise the bar so I could fail more spectacularly. The deciding point was asking my husband, "Am I a grumpy mom?". I was looking for a hearty, "Definitely not!". While my husband was gentle, and not critical - it appeared perhaps I could use some encouragement in this area. I still haven't quite finished the book in its entirety as I keep wanting to go back and highlight and absorb so much of what Val is sharing. Each chapter has been helpful in realizing what my triggers are and some helpful action steps to truly help grumpy mom take a holiday. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to all my mom friends. You will be encouraged and equipped in your role in as a mother.

This book gives us moms hope! Val's writing feels like you are sitting across from her having coffee as she shares her testimony and experiences in various areas of parenting.This book goes toe to toe with the world's definitions of motherhood (we are too busy, always exhausted, give me coffee to survive, etc.) and flips the script to what God calls us to as mothers.Written in a devotional style, each chapter takes on one lie our world believes about mothers and replaces that lie with truth in a way that gives hope. Read the whole book through or go to the chapter that speaks the most to you right now. We can thrive in motherhood. It isn't impossible...but we need Jesus.Not only is there information, truth, and hope in this book, but there are very practical ideas at the end of every chapter to start shifting your perspective about motherhood. .Us mothers are more than what this world says we are. We were made for more! We don't have to be slaves to the world's definition of motherhood another moment.For the month before this book released, I was part of a small launch team for this book, reading and discussing as we go! It will hold a very dear place in my heart for two reasons 1. Because the experience of being on the launch team was amazing and 2. GOD moved in amazing ways in my heart and in my home as I read this book.I would encourage all of you moms to get your hands on this book.

I don't think any mom out there can escape experiencing Grumpy Mom at least once. This book is an essential for every mom out there who truly wants to enjoy every moment of motherhood without Grumpy Mom tagging along. I loved this book!!! I'm going to go read it now a second time. Thank you Valerie!

I read this book not thinking it wouldn’t be super beneficial to me as I have older kids! I was sooo wrong! This book speaks truths no matter the stage of mom you’re in! I can’t wait for share it with friends. It’s an absolute must read!

One of the best books I have read.