Motherhood Is Not Your Highest Calling: The Grace of Being a Good-Enough Mom

Stressed-out moms should find their value as “children of Christ” rather than merely as wives and mothers, according to this empowering guide. Courtney (5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter) explains how scriptural verses are twisted to support a notion of “biblical womanhood” that sees motherhood as a woman’s sole destiny and pressures moms to meet an unrealistic standard of perfection while ignoring their personal and spiritual needs. Moms can release themselves from “false guilt” by “growing in [their] relationships with Christ and spend[ing] time with his Word,” according to Courtney. More broadly, she encourages moms to adopt a manageable ethos of being present for their kids when it counts (not every moment of the day); simplify life when possible, including by cutting down on the amount of “stuff” they buy; and prioritize self-care. Along the way, Courtney offers a worthwhile counterargument to a church culture that suggests God wants women “to sacrifice ourselves on the altar of marriage or motherhood” and places undue weight on moms while denying the value of women who can’t or don’t want to have kids. At the same time, she calls on churches and other institutions to support women in ways that let them live fuller, more faithful lives. In a culture where social media is dominated by tradwives and other idealized portraits of motherhood, this strikes a chord. (Sept.)