I just finished reading The SuperMom Myth: Conquering the Dirty Villains of Motherhood by Becky Kopitzke. This book is an honest, humorous, and helpful look at motherhood and the “dirty villains” that attempt to keep us from treasuring the experience. It was written with a heart for moms who feel they aren’t measuring up somehow or who wish they could be as good as the so-called supermoms they eye with envy.
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Though she does briefly address (and bust) the myth of the elusive and unattainable “supermom,” most of the book is spent examining the following eight “dirty villains” of motherhood: anger, worry, comparison, busyness, unhealthy approaches to housework, exhaustion, husband-neglect, and self-neglect. With a liberal dose of personal anecdotes, a mindful application of Scripture, and plenty of practical suggestions, Kopitzke teaches readers how to conquer these villains in their own homes.
My Thoughts on The SuperMom Myth
Even though this book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting (I thought there would be more about the sense of failure in motherhood), I thoroughly loved this book! As I approached the final pages, I was sad because I didn’t want it to end! I get those feelings reading novels, sure, but rarely nonfiction! The author was just so funny and relatable, the subject matter so relevant, and the words so constructive and applicable, I wanted there to be more chapters!
I truly found each and every single chapter to be beneficial, and there was so much for me to glean from each one. Each and every one of the villains she discussed has made an appearance at some point in my mothering. I think that’s why I loved this book so much – I could relate to nearly every word of it!
If I had to choose a favorite, though, it would be “The Grouch on the Couch.” This is the villain I battle the hardest. Not that I don’t struggle with the others, but this one defeats me and discourages me the most. I hate feeling like I’m always a grump to the people around me, especially my family. Not only was it encouraging to know I’m not alone in my struggles, her advice for conquering this villain were so real and pragmatic. My favorite tips were:
- Repeat the mantra, “I will not let Satan get my family. I will not let Satan get my family.” As Kopitzke writes, “Nothing is worth sacrificing the people we love best to an enemy who knows nothing of love.”
- Put a little love in your voice. One of my favorite lines from the whole book was found here – (Paraphrased slightly) “If it were anybody else talking to my child, what’s the tone of voice I’d want to hear?” Wow, that one made me think!
“If it were anybody else talking to my child, what’s the tone of voice I’d want to hear?”
There was so much value in this book, I could go on and on about it, but that gives you a taste, at least! It’s a book I will want to revisit and consult again and again. I think the reason I liked it so much, besides the fact that it was entertaining and I could relate to her stories, was that she didn’t just introduce these eight villains or give us eight ways we should be a better mother. She didn’t just bring them up and then leave us to figure it out on our own. No, she followed up with wonderful insight and practical, applicable steps to defeat them. Even better, she filled the chapters with appropriate Scripture to apply to each situation. Practical solutions grounded in Biblical wisdom, what could be better than that?
You can find (and I really think you should!) The SuperMom Myth: Conquering the Dirty Villains of Motherhood here!
More Book Reviews:
- Real Moms…Real Jesus
- Better Together: Because We’re Not Meant to Mom Alone
- Mother & Son: The Respect Effect
- Say Goodbye to Survival Mode
I’ve never heard of this book. I really like your thoughts on it, I need to check it out!
It’s fairly new. I hope you do! Tell me what you think if/when you do! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Hey very nice blog!
Too funny! I JUST finished reading chapter 3 before I checked Facebook just now.(Marie of Just Plain Marie shared this link.) A group of moms at my church is studying it. The author is from Wisconsin (where we are also located) and she already agreed to do a Skype session with us but we’re going to try to get her to visit when we’re done with the study. I love the hit-the-head-on-the-nail Bible verses she includes in her writing…. Especially in chapter 2: Grouch on the Couch. It’s a great read so far!
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful opportunity for you! If I ever got the chance to meet her I would give her a big hug, for sure! If you meet her, tell her she has a fan in Iowa! 🙂
Grouch on the couch 🙂 This sounds like the kind of book I would love. I suffer from a lot of these gremlins!
You mentioned you thought it would have more of the sense of failure in motherhood. have you found any along these lines?
Haha, I did too! (Well … still do at times 😉 )
I have not read any about a sense of failure in motherhood yet, but one that’s been on my to-read list for awhile is Jill Savage’s No More Perfect Moms. Have you read that one?