It's a Jungle at Home
by Debra White Smith
Published by Harvest House Publishers
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Reviewed by Amy L. Loos
The minute you become a mom, life as you know it, vanishes. Long hot showers are replaced with a two-minute scrub while the kids are still sleeping, which could mean a shower at midnight or at two in the afternoon, whenever little precious is sleeping peacefully. Clean floors? Leave it to the family pet to pick up whatever isn't glued to the floor by some sticky residue.
In It's a Jungle at Home, Debra White Smith uses humor, very short chapters, (for us chaotically busy moms who don't have tons of time to spend reading) and scripture to grab your attention and remind you that while you're in the midst of some of life's biggest challenges while raising children, you can always find humor, resolution and God in every situation.
The author reminds me that we're all in the trenches together; we're not alone. Everyday we moms struggle to make good decisions on everything from how to raise our children properly, what to do about family pets, or how to recover when our kids say the most embarrassing things in front of strangers, and gasp! other family members. Sure, at the time, these situations are painful, never-ending and completely frustrating but, and there's always a but, and that is, when you have kids, there is hope.
It's a Jungle at Home encourages me as a wife and mother that God loves me, and what I am doing as a parent is important to Him. Smith says, "Psalm 103 is a great passage to read over and over again until you have thoroughly engrained His image upon your soul and mind. From there, He will empower you to live in front of your children in a way that will leave a positive impression they will never forget."
And at the end of each chapter the author gives the reader a "Survival Skill." These skills range from ways to remove gum from clothing to recommending Redeeming the Past, from author David Seamonds, which offers help in addressing traumatic childhoods.
Armchair Interviews says: What makes It's a Jungle at Home a great read is the author's ability to connect moms through heart-warming family stories while reminding these moms to connect with God.