Saturday, September 19, 2009

Boy-sterous Living: A Book Review

Well, if you are a mom of a boy or boys, the cover and title of this book will most certainly draw you in. Why? Because you will instantly KNOW that this author must really understand what your life is like! And she does. I have been reading this book by Jean Blackmer over the last couple of weeks and I absolutely LOVE it!

You see, I grew up in a family of all girls (except my Dad, of course), so when I imagined being a Mom, the things that came to mind were baby dolls, tiaras, and lots and LOTS of pink. The things that did NOT come to mind were soccer balls, light sabers, and Legos. It turns out, though, that God had other plans! And (not surprisingly) His plans now make so much more sense to me.

I adore my boys! I love cheering on the sidelines of their soccer games and watching them wrestle on the floor with their Dad. And most of the time, I don't even mind having to defend myself as I maneuver through a Jedi battle of light sabers. I love that my boys have a special place in their heart for Mommy and I think there is something quite special about having all things feminine in the house reserved just for me.

Of course, the simple fact that I am a girl makes relating to my boys at times a challenge. There is often a learning curve involved. The first time I dressed my boys for a soccer game, I wasn't sure if the shin guards went inside or outside the sock! And although I am learning, I still have to turn to my friends often during a sporting event and say, "um...what just happened?". I could really use a manual. And while we all know the only real manual we have for raising kids (boys or girls) has a different Author, this book works nicely for a supplemental and humorous read!

If you'd like to know more about this book, check out the details below. Also, enter a contest for a chance to win movie tickets and a snack for you and a friend!

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About the book: Raising boys isn't easy. Life with them is loud. If it's quiet, they're probably up to something. Boys are messy, competitive, fearless, and proud. Living with them pretty much guarantees that you're in for an adventure.

In Boy-sterous Living, Jean shares a few of the priceless stories and laugh-out-loud lessons that she and her boys have experienced over the years. With humorous insight and practical advice, she offers encouragement and ideas to help both mothers and fathers impact and shape the lives of their sons. From understanding their love of sports to overcoming the superman complex, Jean shows moms how to find joy and contentment in everyday life by celebrating the laughter, passion, noise, and endless energy boys bring to our lives.

About the author: Jean is currently the Publishing Manager for MOPS International and she's been free-lance writing for 16 years. She has been published in a variety of local and national publications, including: Guideposts, MomSense, Today's Christian Woman, Christian Parenting Today, American Girl, Proverbs 31 Woman, Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul, Chicken Soup Cookbook for the Busy Mom's Soul, Focus on the Family's Teen Phases, Guideposts Miracle Series, and others.

She also co-authored her first book, Where Women Walked: Powerful True Stories of Women's Perseverance and God's Provision. (Tyndale/Focus on the Family, 2004) This book was nominated for a Gold Medallion Award.

Jean graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a Bachelor's (1987) and a Master's (1992) degree in Journalism. She lives in Boulder with her husband Zane; three boys, Josh, Jordan, and Jake.

Would you like your own copy of Boy-sterous Living? Click here!

Check out what other bloggers have to say about this book here.

And click here to check out the author's website.

Also, don't forget the contest! Details below...

CONTEST: Enter your grossest or funniest moment as a mom of a boy (No boys? That’s okay – we still want to hear your story!) and you could win movie tickets and a snack for you and a friend to escape! Share your story by emailing your entry to amy@litfusegroup.com or posting it on the Moms of Boys facebook page!

10 comments:

Abigail (aka Mamatouille) said...

Sounds good and right up my alley! :)

Shelley said...

Looks like a must read! :) I get what you mean about being confused. Y'all are going to have to teach me the right way as Austin grows up! I feel confused not only being the mom of a boy, but being the mom of more than one kid! Being an only child did not prepare me for having three of my own!

Kara said...

It's nice to see you back in the blogging world Alana! This book looks great. I am only a newcomer in the world of raising a son, but I can only imagine that my life of "quiet doll playing in your room" are coming to a close with Baby Boy. :-) Thanks for the recommendation.

Growin' With It said...

i've read a lot of great "boy books"...wild at heart was a favorite. this looks awesome, gotta check it out! nice to see you back in bloggyland btw! ☺

Heather C said...

I'll have to check that out! :) I only have one boy (two girls), but still... who can't use a little help? :)

AbbyLane said...

i am neck deep in TWIN GIRL life at the moment, but oddly enough i've always felt like when i am a mom i will have boys first. every time i've ever had a dream about being pregnant (you know the scary kind where you wake up still trying to explain to your parent that you must be the virgin mary #2 cause it wouldn't be possible otherwise??!! ha) it has always been boys that i've had....

maybe i should just go ahead and stock my shelves with books early ;)
hope you are well!!

Denise said...

i HEART my boy! but he IS LOUD! all the time (i grew up with a sister too).
everything about him, especially his NOISE, legos, and light sabers, is foreign to me.

he's 11, and i'm still thinkin (like i did when he was going through the terrible 2's) he is lucky he's so dang cute or else...

i'm going to look into this book for sure.

Jean Blackmer said...

Thanks for the book review, and it's fun for me to see other moms comments on their boys. Cheers to living loud!

Jean

www.jeanblackmer.blogspot.com

Aine Willis said...

I love the way you describe you picture of parenting ... dolls, tiaras and pink. You sounds so much like me. I figured God had girls in store for me but He knew exactly what He was doing ... he gave me three wonderful, crazy boys. I love every minute. I love learning all about sports ... I grew up with a sister, no brothers. I enjoyed reading your blog.

Natasha in Oz said...

Wow, thanks for letting me us know about this book! I too came from an all-girl household and went to an all-girls school so when I had my son (who is now 9) I was quite shocked! He is the most wonderful child and lavishes me with kisses and cuddles (more than my 12 Yo daughter ever did) but he is so loud and so messy and so...well you know!
Thanks again and best wishes, NM.