My first book review (since school that is)

I am not usually one to do a "review" of a book in writing, but this book was so encouraging to me, I just had to share.  I just finished reading "If I'm diapering a watermelon, then where'd I leave the baby?: Help for the highly distractible mom" by Carol Barnier.

This book is specifically written for the "highly distractible" homeschooling mom, but applies to any mom who is not an organization goddess (such as myself).  She gives tips and tricks on how to do schooling and mothering "outside the box".  What I most appreciated about the book was her reminder that we "unorganized moms" have special gifts which should not be dismissed.

She lists some of those gifts as:
The "La-Di-Da Factor".  We are a little more unencumbered by life in general and can teach our children (and husbands) that roadblocks and detours in life are not something which has to hinder us.  We are typically more flexible and can keep the cheer in our homes when things don't go the way we had planned.

The ability to think outside the box.  We can often think of solutions to problems with a little less effort than our organized moms counterparts because we don't think as literally as they do.  We are able to come up with un-orthodox, yet effective ways to deal with the hiccups life throws at us.


Delight driven homeschool and/or conversation.  We are eccentric at heart and while eccentricities may be annoying at times, they are typically entertaining in the very least.  We may veer from one subject to the next with neck snapping speed, but our enthusiasm of each topic is not to be disregarded.  We are very driven in what we set our minds to and learn just as much in the end, even if it looks a bit messy to the outside world.

I was really encouraged by this book.  I was reminded that just because I am not as efficient as my uber-organized mom friends, I have gifts and talents and love which benefit my family too.  We may not receive the praise and admiration because we are a little messier at life in general, but we sure do have a good time in the process!

I was reminded that it takes all kinds to make the world go around.  I need to continue to admire, appreciate and learn things from my well organized friends and family, while not forgetting that my own style has value and is what God specifically intended for MY family.

Love and hugs to my organized and not-so-organized mom friends and family.  I love and cherish you all!

~Debbie