Memory-Making Mom - by Jessica Smartt (Paperback)

I first listened to this on audiobook. I enjoyed it so much I listened a second time and followed up by buying the book! I will probably re-read this yearly. It is packed full of wonderful ideas. I highly recommend this for every mom and dad to read!

When I purchased Memory Making Mom, I expected to discover some new ways to make holiday memories with my family-and I did. However, my overarching precepts of memory making and tradition building were challenged in the best way. I love the idea that “traditions make us implement what is important” (p11). Furthermore, memories are not just made on holidays but “that maybe we need both the comforting monotony of the everyday as well as spontaneous special days” (p17). Portions of the text are dedicated to creating memories while taking our kids on learning adventures, while serving others in acts of love, while building relationships with family members as unique individuals, and even while ministering to our families in times of sickness. As a mother of four, a particularly challenging concept for me personally is “the clincher in the whole thing about memory-making: we need ways to tell our children, ‘You matter’. You individually (p123). The author, Jessica Smartt, paired thought provoking reasons to develop memory-making traditions with practical suggestions to reach families with children at various stages of life. The book concludes with an Appendix of Memory/Making Ideas organized by concept or holiday. The chapters and appendix are chock-full of creative ideas along with the constant reassurance that you don’t need to do them all and that being a Memory Making Mom is worth the work.

The memories and traditions that we create for – and with – our families are a gift. This new book by Jessica Smartt reminds us that while it often takes some extra work (and she is the first to understand what that can mean for an already constantly busy mom), it’s important, worthwhile work that binds a family and has a profound, lifelong impact on our children- and us. It’s full of inspiration to create new traditions and memories, as well as motivation to continue keeping existing ones alive. The book is full of fun and practical ideas- from those that require a bit more planning and work, to the very simple and easy to implement. There is NO pressure, no mom guilt. Instead we get plenty of ways to start small and make it easy if we want, ideas for more intentional memories that take a bit more planning and prep, and encouragement to seize opportunity for adventure and spontaneity. I laughed out loud at parts, related to so much, and teared up a few times. I definitely came away with a resolve to be even more intentional to weave traditions and memories into areas I may haven’t considered as much before- sick days, milestones for different ages, learning together, etc. One of the best things about reading this book is that I never felt like I’m just not doing enough, or I need to do better or more. I just felt excited to add more fun, more celebration, and more silliness to the traditions and memories we already love. We can see every day moments as an opportunity to build a memory.

This book has been a wonderful blessing to our family! In it, Jessica makes the case for why building family traditions is important, then goes on to give practical suggestions we can put into practice without losing our minds. Not only has this been a handy reference book for me to look to when we need more FUN and SPECIAL and WHIMSY in our family, but it's challenged me on a deeper level to consider what kind of mom I want to be and what I want my kids to remember when they fly the coop! I would highly recommend this book to moms with kids of any age!

A Must Read for Moms!! This book has energized me to focus on being a Memory-Making Mom by celebrating life and creating new traditions for my family! As Jessica Smartt writes in her book, "Traditions are a planned determination to remember, celebrate, and value what is important". This book reminds us that planning special treats, excursions & celebrating life isn't frivolous or wasted time - it's some of the most important family time and it doesn't have to be expensive! We live in a "busy" world where work is many times valued over creating memories that matter. This book is full of precious stories, inspiration and practical ideas to breathe life and joy into your days as a Mom! I highly recommend it. Buy this book and be encouraged!!!

Trying to navigate motherhood is hard. You’re constantly worrying about raising your children right and wondering what kind of impact your parenting will have on them. This book is an incredible reminder that sometimes the littlest things mean the most to your kids and that making an effort to implement traditions and make memories with them can have the most profound impact. It’s encouraging to read & lights a fire under you to start making the most of what little time you have with them! Job well done Jessica Smartt!

WOW! I WISH I'd had access to this book 10 years ago! But even though my kids are mostly grown, there are STILL ideas I'm going to use. Jessica understands (so much!) what it's like to mother littles. She's also just a regular person like me, who wants to make memories with her kids and she's tired and overwhelmed some days and still, she's finding ways to give her children a childhood worth remembering. Also, she makes the reader feel like we can do it too! This book will help anyone in any stage of motherhood. Just one idea found within its pages might make an ENORMOUS difference to one child you love. It's an easy, quick read and worth every moment. I hope you'll check this one out!

Memory Making Mom was a great reminder to slow down the days and be more in the moment to make the meaningful memories that life is make of. It is definitely never too late to start a new tradition. This book has so many great ideas on traditions you can create with your family. Turn those small moments into BIG memories. I will also be ordering it as a gift as it is great for new moms or for a mom who just needs the reminder to take the time to build those lasting memories.

I know there are probably going to be some people who will read my review and think to themselves, "My family already has plenty of traditions--I don't need a book to tell me how to make more." And I can completely relate to that because before I started reading Memory Making Mom, I kind of felt the same way: I felt like our family already had enough traditions. But after finishing Memory Making Mom, I walked away with a whole new perspective on the "why" of traditions--and how they can breathe life into our homes. Through her book, Jessica offers moms the inspiration they need to make everyday moments with their families intentional and memorable. She challenges (without any guilt!) to find ways to craft a legacy through family traditions that will "tie us to something larger than ourselves." Because when we mark those traditions and celebrations, we are reminding ourselves about what matters in this life. And I loved how she reminds us that things won't go perfectly when we are trying to make those memories, but it is still worth it. Jessica offers so much wisdom in the pages of Memory Making Mom--so whether we're new moms or the parents of tweens and teens, our families will benefit greatly when we take small steps to build those lasting memories through tradition.