Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters (Book Review)

Today I'm sharing my review of the book Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by authors Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh.    The book itself is paperback with 11 chapters, and no graphics.

Mothers and daughters have a unique relationship.   Often the similarities can be unnerving, and other times the differences can be heart breaking.   Mended, written by a mom and daughter team tackle the  heart issues that can, and often do, define and even destroy this precious relationship.

The authors do a wonderful job of being vulnerable and open both in their roles as daughter and mother.  In doing so, they expose the miscommunication, wrongful expectations and even the harsh realities of the less than perfect relationships that can cause our greatest joy, and deepest sorrow.  Neither author comes across as having "arrived" in either role, but rather they share what they've lived, learned and discovered on their journey through life, and towards wholeness.

Blythe and Helen give clear, practical insight, as well as Biblical wisdom and guidance to help their readers take ownership of their bad attitudes.  However, they don't stop with pointing out your (or their) faults, they help you grow in your relationship with God, and allow that to change your relationship(s) with your mother and/or daughter.

Even if you have a good relationship, there's always room for improvement, and Mended can help you find ways to improve good relationships and make them great.   If you're the mom of boys, you'll likely one day be a mother-in-law, and the wisdom found in Mended can really help you not become "THAT" mother-in-law, grins.

"Asking permission before giving advice, ideas, or feedback is the key to a relationship that doesn't feel like the other is too involved in your life."

This book can be a quick read.  However, I suggest that after that initial quick read, you go back and study, look at yourself and then begin to apply the wisdom to your life and begin to see your relationships heal and grow.   If, like me, your Mother has passed away, there is still much healing that can happen through learning to forgive and focus on the strengths instead of the weaknesses.    Likewise, it can help you notice those same destructive tendencies in your mothering and help you change, even if it's uncomfortable.

"Sometimes we'll put onto the other what we wish we had.  This is where good boundaries come into play."

I highly recommend this book to all you ladies out there.  It's never too late to have better relationships.

About the authors:

Blythe Daniel is a literary agent and marketer with 20 plus years of experience in publishing.  She has written for Christian Retailing and Focus on the Family, and she links bloggers with readers through BlogAbout.  The daughter of Dr. Helen McIntosh, she lives in Colorado with her husband and three children.

Dr. Helen McIntosh is a counselor, speaker, educator and author of Messages to Myself.  Her work has appeared in Guideposts, ParentLife, and HomeLife magazines.  She resides in Georgia with her husband Jim.  They have two children and five grandchildren.

I ceived a copy of this book for review purposes only.  I was not required to write appositive review, nor was I compensated in any way for my review.