How Does She Do It?: 101 Life Lessons from One Mother to Another

Front Cover
Zondervan, 2009 M10 6 - 176 pages

How many times have your kids said, "You never listen to me!"? Or a fellow parent alarmingly asked, "You let your kid do what?" Now, Sheila Ellison reminds moms what all the hard work is for. With themes ranging from "Laugh Now, Clean Up Later" to "Bathing Suit Blues" and "The Compliment Cure," Sheila's common sense and warmth shine through in this companion for moms of all ages.

When the laundry looms, the carpool calls, or the fourth-grade science project is due, mothers need a reminder that the nonstop whirlwind of parenting offers some very special rewards: love, joy, laughter, and devotion. Filled with anecdotes that are profound, funny, wise, and witty, How Does She Do It? is like having a conversation with a best friend.

 

Contents

Decisions That Hurt
84
Emotional Selfdefense
86
Practice Forgiveness
88
Grateful for Grief
89
We Are the Champions
91
A Sexy Attitude
92
PMS Perfectly Made System
94
Demon Days
95

The Joy of Lowered Expectations
14
What It Means to Be Courageous
16
Moms Appointment Book
17
Everyday Magic
19
A Giving Nature
20
The Welcome Mat
22
We All Have Disabilities
23
Nobodys PerfectIncluding Mothers
25
Learn to Disappoint Others
26
Ten Minutes a Day
28
An Inspiring Habit
29
What It Really Means to Have Style
31
Actions Speak Louder
33
Too Stressed for Sex
34
Let Go of the Rope
36
The Real Think Tank
37
Both Right and Wrong
39
Seize the Moment
40
A Life of Spiritual Practice
42
Creative? YesYou
43
The Men in Your Life
45
Show Up as Yourself
47
Bathing Suit Blues
48
Let Tears Rain
50
Controlled Burn
51
Fire the Judge
53
Invitation to Your Defiant Asskicking Experimental Self
54
Listen to Your Anger
56
Count to Ten and Breathe
58
Bring It On
60
Draw a Line in the Sand
61
Driving Lessons
63
It Takes Two to Fight
64
They Need You Now
66
Stranger at the Door
68
Money Love
70
One HonestVoice
71
Moments of Suffering
73
Ask for Help
74
Grateful Optimism
76
What Children Remember
78
A Ministry of Presence
80
Youre a Safety Net
81
Create Community
83
To Tempt or Not to Tempt
97
Body Connection
99
Ageold Obsession
101
Surround Yourself with Beauty
103
Things Kids Say
104
Grow a Friendship
106
Never Forget Your Girlfriends
107
Fitting In
109
Kids Who Challenge Life
111
NegotiationOur Specialty
113
Space to Grow
115
Embrace Your Strength
116
Food for Thought
118
Learning to See Funny
120
Sensuality Discovered
121
Mirror Mirror
123
Moms Yearly Bonus
124
Shop Till You Drop
126
Peaceful Existence
128
If Moms Ruled the World
129
Girls Night Out
131
A Time to Give
133
Think I Can
134
The Spectacular Lives Inside Each of Us
136
Me First
137
Taxi Service
139
Married with Children
140
Heal Each Other
142
A Visit to the Outhouse
143
Dropping the Ball
145
Life Design 101
147
Secrets to Keep
148
Standin Mom
150
Digging Deep Enough
151
The Real Holiday
153
Romantic Interlude
155
Wild Woman
156
The Color of Your Life
158
Family Memories
159
Time to Dance
161
What Is Enough?
162
Acknowledgments
164
Copyright

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About the author (2009)

Sheila Ellison is the author of nine books; founder of the non-profit organization, Single Moms Connect; host of her own talk radio show, Women Uncensored; and a mother of four and step mother of two. She has appeared on Oprah!, and her work has been featured in O: The Oprah Magazine, Parenting, Family Circle, the New York Daily News, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Oakland Tribune.

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