August 31, 2008 8:35 AM
My book sale - last day!
I price my books under list price - at 9.99 each - and charge only 3.00 shipping no matter how many books you buy - from this site or Mommy, Teach Me or BarbaraCurtis.com.
But for the month of August I've been offering a special Back-to-School promotion - just click on the banner above to Buy Three, Get One Free. Because I pay 7. each for my books (yes, authors have to buy their own books), this means I make no money on them this month - I just want to get them into the hands of moms who need them.
It's because I know that so many moms need a fresh, encouraging, and non guilt-inducing new start. And September always seems like the month where we're ready to give it our best shot.
I was remembering yesterday how few skills I brought to the table as a new mom. Having grown up without adequate parenting, I had no role model or experience to draw from. I remembered - to my shame - in 1983 leaving my first newborn son in the car while I ran into the store for a few things. When I came out he was crying in his carseat. Someone had left a note on my windshield scolding me for leaving him. I knew they must be still watching me. I was so ashamed. But I wanted to grab their hands and thank them.
I think of that person now with such gratitude - like an angry angel shaking me by the shoulders and saying, "Wake up, Barbara! This isn't how it's done!"
I didn't really know God then, but He must have known how long it would take me to find Him and He didn't want my kids to wait that long for better mothering. And He had somehow built in me the desire to do the best I could for my kids. So I went to work, applying what I'd learned in my training as a Montessori teacher - and my rudimentary understanding of the Golden Rule - in my own home. Four years later, Tripp and I became Christians - and eventually God put me in a position of teaching what I'd learned.
But I've never forgotten where I came from.
My books are not like others, I promise. My goal is to lift the burdens of mothers - all kinds of mothers, even mothers like me who had little to draw on - not to add to their load. Though they are packed with information, you will always feel permission to take what fits and leave the rest. When I read the reviews at Amazon, I feel I did accomplish what I set out to do: to help moms find the joy in their daily lives, and to help their children maintain their joy in learning.
I've been getting lots of good emails from moms lately. And I will be writing a lot more starting next week. In the meantime, just remember that every day is different. Every day is new. Some days fall apart - mine do too - but we can choose not to be discouraged. Surround yourself with stuff that lifts you up. I have been listening to Christian radio lately and it helps tremendously to keep me feeling "the peace that passes understanding."
I am here for you and I pray for all my readers - collectively and those I've come to know through comments and correspondence. Let's agree to pray for each other - maybe you can remember in the laundry room :)
Tomorrow starts a new month - and a new school year for many of us. September is a great time for fresh starts, new beginnings, and - always - hope for the future. God never runs out of patience and love for us.
Posted in Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Barbara, I recently finished the copy of Lord, Please Meet Me In The Laundry Room that you sent me. I put off reading it because even though I like "spiritual self-help" type books, like Beth Moore, etc., I also usually feel a lot like the author has something I don't have and can't seem to grasp. I feel a little hopeless.
After reading your book I kind of felt like the relationship you have with God is something attainable for me. I'm not there yet, but I feel a little more hopeful that eventually I can be. Thank you!
Posted by: Michelle Potter | August 31, 2008 6:34 PM
