I really like this book! I'm leary of Christian-life-style books, but Combs brings a freeing message of hope and redemption in her book "Motherhood Without All the Rules." Combs points out the hypocrisy of the messaging moms receive from our modern culture-- messages like "you do you" and "mom is queen"-- as well as myths from Church culture (motherhood is women's highest calling!). While these messages can sound freeing, they actually trap us by insisting we have to be in control at all times and thus have to perfectly shape and guide our families. Combs instead argues that true freedom is found in surrender to Christ and in seeking a relationship with Him first. I particularly like how Combs pointed out early on in the book that if we are free in Christ, then we are free from the judgment (real or perceived) of other moms-- even when we skip the organic snacks.

While the book had a lot of good points, it did feel a bit disjointed at times, with anecdotes that did not really fit the message hammered into a few chapters. While the stories are interesting, they don't always connect well. Other than better transitions in and out of the anecdotes, I can't imagine a way to improve this book, and I would recommend it to all my friends who have kids or even just work with kids.

Becoming a mother changed my identity, my course in life. Nothing is more rewarding, challenging, heart breaking and wonderful as raising a child. This book is beautifully written about the journey of motherhood, the struggle, the beauty and the great joy. The author is compassionate, non-judge mental and encouraging to any mother looking for support and advise. Highly recommend!

It is a well-known fact that a godly home cannot be constructed overnight.

Society tells us, through many vehicles, what a “good” mother should look, feel, and act like. With an inordinate amount of pressure, mothers, like myself, feel we do it all AND do it all correctly.

Maggie’s book entered my life at just the right time. Filled with spiritual insights, she reminded me that motherhood is sacred. As such, I am called to imitate the relationship I have with the Holy Trinity.

Highly recommended for Christian moms who feel like they must do it all and do so perfectly.

A beautiful book of love and motherhood! I recommend to new and seasoned mothers alike! You will find yourself wanting to continue reading even when your baby needs something!

Motherhood is hard and we tend to take all the rules that the world demands as a must for being a good mom. The author shines the light of the gospel on the demands of society and brings freedom for moms by Gods grace!
At first I thought that I don’t follow only the rules of the Bible, but than I saw how easily the world put a standard in my heart which I constantly tried to reach.

Throughout Motherhood Without All the Rules, Combs takes 12 of the standards the world tries to tell us we must live up to as mothers and breaks down the reasons why these standards are more harmful than helpful. But she doesn’t leave you in the tearing down. She also replaces those standards with beautiful gospel truths.

There’s a picture of perfect motherhood that the world throws at us. Social media perpetuates those standards. Convinces us we are not good enough. Motherhood Without all the Rules will help you find a more solid foundation to your mothering.

This book has helped me remember that I don’t have to do motherhood the world’s way. Combs reminds the reader that God is the one giving us the ability to do all that we can. And we have to look to his grace. His sovereignty. His purposes for our day in order to do all this well.

Drop all the rules and find the freedom in motherhood that is only possible with God.

This book is grace. Maggie's writing style allows for practical application to Gospel-centered Motherhood. Her personal stories and practice steps give the reader a wonderful opportunity to further examine her own heart and learn about the truths the Lord had given to us in Scripture. I hope every Mom can read this book and go through it with a friend or a group of Moms.

This book speaks to my soul! It got me thinking through my perspective - where is it in line and where do I need a shift. It’s written in a voice that is grace-filled and forgiving. No judgemental discussions or opinions here! Loved it.

MOTHERHOOD WITHOUT ALL THE RULES
Maggie Combs

I received this book on Kindle for the purpose of review from #NetGalley.

A totally refreshing book for first time mothers. First time mothers in the Christian community
there are expectations, in their minds, that seems completely impossible. As I said in their minds.
I have been there and felt the pressure.

Once we become mothers we place certain rules on ourselves that mostly do not matter. Ms. Combs
has taken a real struggle for moms and helped talk you through them. Ms. Combs instead focuses on the real job of mothering: nurturing, compassion, discipline, boundaries etc. She places no judgement on mothers for not having the cleanest house, gourmet dinners, cleanest children and on the list goes of what mothering in our minds is.

She points out that the number one item as a Mom is to exhibit Christ and teach/live out in accordance with the Bible. She goes on to say it is not something we rev up on our own but with a constant eye toward God's word and our walk with Him.

I highly recommend this to any mom with children or grandchildren.

Worth the read.