Blog Archives
Worthy of Love and Attention
Hope for Moms: It’s Tough Out There, but So Are You is more than a self-help guide to parenting; it offers readers a mix of personal stories, practical advice, and emotional validation of the unpredictability surrounding motherhood. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have a heart for moms who are struggling or feel overwhelmed, but who are actually doing a much better job at motherhood than they give themselves credit for. I know what it is like to look around and think that everyone else knows what they are doing—that’s a lonely feeling. I started out as a blogger and I eventually found that I needed a bigger container to write about some of the tough topics that were important to me. This book is about some of the curveballs we were thrown as a family, but also about how we’ve grown as a result. We’re braver now.
What are some of the ideas that it was important to share?
Being a mom is just hard and that’s not because moms are doing something wrong. I want moms to feel empowered to figure out what will support them most during this journey of raising kids. At the end of each chapter, I have questions or quotes that help the reader apply my observations to their own lives. I also wanted to emphasize that caring for ourselves as moms isn’t ONLY so we can care for others; we need to tend to ourselves because we are lovely humans who are worthy of love and attention.
What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Probably it was most challenging to write about some of the things we needed to change once we adopted the twins, who are African-American. Talking honestly about race is always risky, but also always important. I write that I’d confused being progressive with being anti-racist. Essentially, we didn’t know how white we were until we started looking at the world through a new lens. Nonetheless, it was really important to me that I was honest and open when writing this book: not only about race but also about the ways being a parent is humbling and ultimately redemptive.
What is one thing you hope readers will take away?
I hope readers will feel less alone when they finish Hope For Moms. I hope they’ll remember that we all make mistakes, but we keep trying. I hope they’ll have some tools for not only surviving motherhood but thriving. I hope they will feel valued, encouraged, and strengthened.
Author Links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon
Many of us did everything we could to prepare for becoming moms, but there just wasn’t any way to know what might lie ahead. Most of us have, at one point or another, looked around and wondered if we are alone in our parenting challenges.
Hope for Moms offers a heartfelt guide for mothers navigating both the joys and heartbreak of being a mom, sharing Anna McArthur’s personal journey through parenting difficulties such as learning disabilities, LGBTQ+ identities, and adoption. Structured around a triage plan that helped the author prioritize her family’s needs, it includes practical insights, quotes, and reflection questions to support moms in their journey of resilience and soul care. With gentleness and humor, McArthur provides reassurance to mothers, reminding them they have the strength to not only survive motherhood, but thrive.
If you’re a mom who feels overwhelmed by the curveballs life has thrown your way, you aren’t alone—yes, it’s tough out there, but so are you!
So Close, Yet So Far Away
Finding Max is a memoir detailing your relentless decades-long search for your father’s birth family, uncovering hidden truths, confronting painful secrets, and redefining the meaning of family along the way. Why was this an important book for you to write?
After a couple of deaths in the family, only a few months apart, I felt dread and urgency to tell the story of Finding Max. I had wanted to tell the story before, but I was putting it off until “I had more time in life.” Unfortunately, the deaths of those close family members made me realize that time may not be my friend, and I’d better do this while it’s fresh and raw.
What was the most surprising discovery you made during your search for your father’s birth family?
There are so many actually. Every discovery was something I wasn’t necessarily expecting. But I think the most surprising thing was the connection to the birth father that was absolutely never expected, so close, yet so far away.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your search, what would it be?
One piece of advice is tough. Throughout my book, I give reflections on lessons learned, and there are so many. But if I had to go back and give one, I would tell myself to spend more time with my dad’s birth family after I’d found them, visit them more often, and take vacations with them, because time is stolen from you and you never know how much time you really have.
How has this journey changed your perspective on identity and what it means to be “family”?
Family is not something you’re born into, it’s something you make, and not necessarily by blood. You’re not bound by birthright.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As a teen, Jennifer Wallig learned that her father was adopted, turning what she thought she knew about her family history—and identity—upside down. Her life had been turbulent as the child of divorced parents inundated with their own struggles. These revelations changed everything.
In Finding Max, Jennifer shares her journey to find her father’s birth family, uncovering surprising secrets and unsettling lies. This is the inspirational story of a daughter devoted to her beloved father, a man burdened with PTSD and addiction who never felt fully accepted by his adopted family. It’s the story of unwavering determination to uncover the truth and life-affirming joy found in unexpected places. Raw, vulnerable, and thought-provoking, Finding Max is a must-read memoir for genealogists, ancestry enthusiasts, and anyone yearning to rediscover the power of family.
Strong and Loving Connection
The Gift of Parenthood is a heartfelt and personal memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey from infertility struggles to the joys and challenges of open adoption. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important to share my parenthood journey. There is a stigma surrounding infertility and adoption, and society tends to shy away from these topics. By shedding light with a very personal experience, I hope to enlighten and inspire others.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Infertility is one of the most challenging things I’ve ever gone through. Being unable to have a child of your own can be devastating, but with time husband and I were able to heal and consider adoption.
Adoption has granted us the gift of parenthood and a bonus family. It’s been an unbelievable blessing for both sides.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about open adoptions?
That open adoption is unhealthy… our experience has been far from that. We put in the work to build a strong and loving connection with my son’s birth family and are respectful of each other’s needs.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
At first, I couldn’t figure out how to get the word out while respecting my teenage son’s wishes for privacy. But, he was comfortable with me writing under a pen name and even suggested using my phone’s memoji as my picture.
The actual writing part came naturally. Hearing how our story has touched others has been the most rewarding part.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Emaline Ashe’s memoir shares an intimate look into her emotional journey to become a mom. A few years into their marriage, she and her husband Liam were young, healthy, and ready to have several kids.
Life had different plans in store for them when unexplained infertility hit like a ton of bricks. After many years of medical treatments, Emaline and Liam embarked on an alternate path to become parents. This new path led to an unexpected open adoption and a bonus family.
Emaline’s true story is one of hope, loss, and resilience. It captures the devastation of infertility and shows just how life-changing adoption can be for all involved.
A Personal Reckoning
Twice the Family is your poignant memoir of identity, adoption, and the unyielding bonds of sisterhood, exploring the journey of being “chosen” while searching for belonging. Why was this an important book for you to write?
For me, this book was a greater challenge than writing my debut memoir, Twice a Daughter, the five-year saga about searching for my birth parents to gather family medical history. Twice the Family rose out of readers’ requests to know more about what it was like to grow up as a twin and an adoptee. Yet, for me, the book is more than that. It is a personal reckoning.
Twice a Daughter had a specific frame or timeline. While I provided the necessary backstory, it focused on the events surrounding my adoption search. Because Twice the Family is a coming-of-age story, it has a longer timeline: twenty-seven years. It opens with the births of my twin sister and me, and our subsequent adoption, and culminates with the building of my own biological family.
Choosing the events to include in this new book and tying those moments to the desired themes of love, loss, and family was a deliberate and challenging task. Telling the story and sharing my unique perspective as a twin and adoptee within the context of our family history was a delicate balance. My goal was for the reader to understand the struggles I faced within a loving family governed by the strict rules of Catholicism. While we were soothed by love and instilled with a strong sense of belonging, our formative years were overshadowed by my parents’ infertility and drive to achieve their goal of a big Irish Catholic family. As I matured, I realized some of my parents’ goals and values did not align with mine.
How did your adoptive family’s faith shape your understanding of being “chosen” and your identity?
Some of the foundational tenets of Catholicism are love is patient, love is kind, and love heals all. Also, love your neighbor as yourself. This belief system became ingrained in my siblings and me during our formative years at school, church, and at home. Also, the struggles my parents faced in building their big, Irish Catholic family through adoption, their years of infertility, and subsequent child loss due to stillborn death and sudden illness made a lasting impression on me. It was, however, my parents deeply held religious beliefs, their unrelenting commitment to family, and the strong examples they set about honesty, perseverance, and resiliency that influenced who I am and the person I have become.
I always felt as if I held a strong place in my family. Some of that “chosen” feeling arose from the stature of being the firstborn and a twin. I strongly believe that the adoption of my twin sister, myself, and our younger brother was not what set us apart from our younger siblings––my folks’ biological children––but what strung us all together. We were individuals and my mother recognized that and used it in a cohesive way. My mother is a very inclusive person. If she thought, you were the underdog in a given situation, she became your fiercest champion. I love this trait about her; it made her a faithful and reliable mother, neighbor, and friend.
What message do you hope readers—especially adoptees—take away from your story?
Parenting, whether it comes by way of adoption or not, is not a smooth easy road to success. As parents, we make numerous mistakes, and each child takes note, adjusting their behavior to accommodate it. When it is our turn to build our own families, sometimes we are successful at not repeating the mistakes our parents made. Often though, we make different errors, and so the cycle repeats itself. The point I wanted to make in Twice the Family is that family building, then and now, is no easy road. It takes commitment, but through shared values, love, and consistent efforts, parents succeed in building character among those they call family.
Were there moments during the writing process where revisiting your story became emotionally overwhelming? How did you navigate them?
There were chapters I intended to include in the book that happened so long ago that I knew I needed help with validating facts. Because I wanted a true accounting, I consulted with my twin sister and my mother. Together we revisited those key moments. Collaborating was informative and fun, and it enabled me to craft a true story. The result was one part family history, one part memoir, and one part nostalgia for a bygone era of society. Navigating the tough scenes and events meant the writing process slowed down due to the strong emotional impact of those moments. The aftermath of getting them down, getting them right, and polishing them was both exhilarating and draining. Slowing down and honoring those moments was an important aspect of the writing process. The outcome, Twice the Family, fills me with deep pride and satisfaction.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
In this coming-of-age memoir, set in Chicago’s western suburbs between the 1960s and ’80s, adopted twins Julie and Jenny provide their parents with an instant family. Their sisterly bond holds tight as the two strive for identity, individuality, and belonging. But as Julie’s parents continue adding children to the family, some painful and tragic experiences test family values, parental relationships, and sibling bonds.
Faced with these hurdles, Julie questions everything—who she is, how she fits in, her adoption circumstances, her faith, and her idea of family. But the life her parents have constructed is not one she wants for herself—and as she matures, she recognizes how the experiences that formed her have provided her a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.
Report an issue with this product or seller
The Gift of Parenthood: From Infertility to an Open Adoption
The Gift of Parenthood is a heartfelt and deeply personal memoir by Emaline Ashe that takes readers on an emotional journey from infertility struggles to the joys and challenges of open adoption. Ashe’s candid storytelling captures her years-long battle with infertility, her eventual decision to adopt, and the complexities of raising a child within an open adoption framework. The book serves as both a testament to resilience and a guide for those navigating similar paths.
The writing struck a perfect balance between vulnerability and humor. Ashe doesn’t shy away from exposing her raw emotions, whether she’s describing the devastation of a failed IVF treatment or the anxiety of waiting for an adoption match. One moment that stuck with me was her description of feeling of being “stranded on infertility island,” a phrase she revisits to paint the alienation and loneliness of her experience. Her honesty in recounting even the smallest victories, like the first time she and her husband Liam saw their son Aiden’s ultrasound, had me tearing up. It’s a rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak that makes you root for her every step of the way.
The way Ashe portrays the adoption process is as enlightening as it is emotional. Her account of meeting Aiden’s birth mother, Hannah, and forming a relationship based on mutual respect and love was deeply moving. One of my favorite parts of the book was when she detailed the open adoption agreement and how their blended family grew through years of mutual effort and trust. Ashe writes about the awkward early visits, the raw emotions of Hannah’s decision, and how they all found a rhythm in their relationship. It was inspiring to see how Ashe reframed the challenges of open adoption as opportunities to grow closer to Hannah and her son Dylan.
Ashe’s voice throughout the memoir is both relatable and engaging. She has a knack for making heavy topics approachable, injecting moments of humor and lightness where they’re most needed. For instance, her anecdote about Aiden’s all-nighter as a newborn brought a much-needed laugh amid heavier discussions of loss and grief.
The conclusion ties everything together beautifully. Ashe reflects on how her journey transformed her understanding of family and motherhood. Her gratitude for her son and her relationship with his birth family shines through in every sentence. I found her acknowledgment of how adoption enriches and complicates lives particularly poignant. For anyone considering adoption or grappling with infertility, this book feels like a warm, guiding hand.
I recommend The Gift of Parenthood to anyone interested in stories of resilience, parenthood, or adoption. It’s also a wonderful read for those who enjoy memoirs about the triumph of the human spirit.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0CW6ZVYQM
Shattered
Shattered, Inspired By True Events by Jenell M. Jones, M.ED., is a powerful memoir that delves into the author’s personal journey of accepting the unchangeable and learning to tolerate the harsh realities of life. Jones’s raw and honest account of her experiences resonates deeply with readers, making this more than just one woman’s struggle—it’s a source of inspiration for anyone facing life’s challenges. Through her story, Jones invites readers to reflect on their own paths toward peace and healing, sharing how her decision to adopt a young girl, with the hope of transforming both their lives for the better, led to an unexpected and challenging journey.
The central theme of survival and endurance is poignantly portrayed in Shattered. Jones vividly illustrates the unexpected anguish that life can bring and demonstrates remarkable strength and resilience in the face of trauma. Her journey toward healing and self-discovery is both encouraging and uplifting, leaving readers with a powerful message: if she can overcome these obstacles, so can they. The book’s emphasis on perseverance and courage makes a lasting impact, reminding us all of the importance of endurance in our own lives. Jones’s storytelling is graphic and emotionally resonant, pulling readers into her world and making them feel the weight of her struggles. She skillfully conveys the unwanted efforts and sacrifices she made in her pursuit of inner peace, creating a narrative that is both relatable and deeply moving. The systemic critique woven throughout the book is another notable element. Jones’ experiences highlight the often-ignored flaws in the child welfare system, particularly how it handles children with traumatic backgrounds. Jones’ frustration with the system is palpable, and she effectively uses her personal story to advocate for better practices and more compassionate policies. This book serves as both a memoir and a critical commentary on a system that is in desperate need of reform.
Shattered, Inspired By True Events is a gripping and authentic memoir that will resonate with anyone who has faced life’s unexpected challenges. Jones’s courage in sharing her regrets and her raw emotions is a testament to the human experience, reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities. I highly recommend this book to everyone, as we all, at some point, must navigate the unforeseen changes life throws our way.
Pages: 210 | ASIN : B0C5CPY345
Shattered
Jenell M. Jones’ Shattered is a deeply moving and eye-opening account that delves into the complexities of the foster care system through the poignant story of a young girl named Mercy. Jenell, an experienced educator with a profound love for children, is no stranger to the adoption process. When asked to take in Little Nikki, she didn’t hesitate, despite concerns about the child’s troubled past. Renaming her Mercy, Jenell and her husband embarked on a challenging journey to provide the eight-year-old with a stable and loving home. As the narrative unfolds, readers learn that Mercy was separated from her twin brother and other siblings, having cycled through as many as 20 foster homes. This tumultuous background began to manifest in her behavior, with Mercy exhibiting stubbornness, rudeness, and other troubling traits. These signs raised concerns about potential past abuse, which were later confirmed when Mercy was diagnosed with dissociative personality disorder and hospitalized.
Shattered evoked a powerful emotional response in me. The pain of watching a child you love struggle despite your best efforts is heart-wrenching. The book underscores the critical importance of a child’s foundational years and how early instability can have long-lasting, detrimental effects. Mercy’s story is a stark reminder of the failures within our society to protect its most vulnerable members. Jenell and her husband Kyle’s unwavering patience and dedication to Mercy, despite the immense challenges, highlight their remarkable resilience as parents. Mercy’s experiences reflect a broader systemic issue, where children in the foster care system are often neglected and left without the necessary support to thrive.
I sincerely hope that Mercy finds peace and healing in her future. Shattered serves as a crucial call to action, urging us to improve the foster care system to better protect and support children like Mercy. I highly recommend this book to every adult, particularly those considering adoption, as it provides valuable insights into the profound challenges and rewards of caring for a child in need.
Pages: 210 | ASIN : B0C5CPY345
Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring – A Picture Book for Kids
Family unity helps instill values such as respect and mutual support. Victoria Smith embraces this idea beautifully in Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring. The story centers on eight-year-old Priscilla, who is worried about her school’s show-and-tell presentations. All her classmates are showcasing interesting, original, and unique items, so she wants to share something truly special. Her mom tries to help by giving her suggestions, but nothing seems good enough for Priscilla. However, when she sees her brother Tux being friendly and telling jokes to his friends, she realizes he can help her solve her problem.
Victoria Smith shares a sweet story about an everyday situation, giving it a creative and enthusiastic touch. I appreciated how the story develops because it implicitly addresses various themes. For example, the classmates’ presentations showcase cultural and religious diversity and feature different hobbies like board games and sports. There are many great ideas for new activities for kids. The story also highlights the importance of good communication and the pleasure of being in a respectful and friendly environment.
Sergii Zavadskyi’s illustrations are captivating with their vibrant colors and varied, expressive characters. The language is clear, making it suitable for practicing reading and enriching vocabulary with the items shown in the classroom presentations. Priscilla and her brother Tux’s relationship is one of the narrative’s most beautiful features, imparting young readers with a positive example of family interaction.
Priscilla and Tux: Brothers are Caring is highly recommended, celebrating family love and the joy of sharing meaningful moments. It is an engaging and heartwarming story that not only entertains but also teaches valuable life lessons, making it a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0CGQBY7Z2
