Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad: The Perspective Shift That Could Completely Change the Way You Mother

I love Abbie’s writing and have found both of her books to be incredibly helpful. She is down to earth, funny, and so full of biblical truth to share on the topics of motherhood and life in general. Definitely get this book!

This book touches on so many different aspects of motherhood. The author shares many personal struggles and really drives home the point of just because things or seasons are hard does not make them bad. She provides a biblical perspective to the calling of motherhood and how sometimes we need to look past worldly expectations. This is an easy read with really nice artwork throughout the book and would be perfect for a women's book study.

That said, I still love her first book too! This book feels so well-timed. While I can say I grew up with this perspective, it is so easy to forget in the middle of being a wife and mother. Honestly, it is to forget as an adult in general. Abbie's writing is like sitting with a good, honest friend over tea or coffee & sharing your heart. It is both truthful & encouraging without all the sugar coating & fluff that seems to find its way into most of our hands these days. I love it & have even been reading it aloud with my husband. It has made for some great conversation as a couple. I really appreciate she includes her husband's perspective at the end of each chapter as well because if you're married you know everything is a team effort & we each can see & learn things a bit differently. It is truly so encouraging & I would highly recommend.

I read this book with my fellow young moms at my church. It was encouraging, convicting and helpful. We all enjoyed it and it brought great conversations. Very thankful to have read it. Worth the time!

Wow. Once again, Abbie hits home with the solid truths of Scripture at a moment when I truly need the reminder. As mother to a two-year-old, one-year-old, and 29-week-in-utero little one, I turned eagerly to the chapter on toddlers. Having loved M is for Mama, I held out significant hope that Abbie would again encourage and challenge me; and I was not disappointed. The way that Abbie blends deep conviction and encouragement without coming across as a know-it-all or perfect parent should be a blessing to every mother’s heart; and it is truly a gift from God.One thing that really stood out to me in the toddler chapter is her rightful challenge – we desire to be better humans, more patient, more kind, more gentle; in short, we (as Christians) must seek to exemplify the fruits of the Spirit. All good, right? But now comes the hard bit. Abbie posits that it is through “the path of most resistance” that these gifts are honed within us; that is, that through responding to our toddlers (exasperating darling little humans that they are), we learn patience, kindness, gentleness. Through them, God crafts us, shaping us to be more like Him in our response. And while we see this strongly during the toddler years, it is true on some level for every stage of parenting.Now that’s a rough paraphrase, so I strongly encourage you to go read Abbie’s beautifully-crafted words. Buy the book, and look around pages 191–2. And if you, like me, commit the horrible act of not starting at the beginning…go back and read from the beginning. The goodness of this book is not limited to my favorite chapter. Through all of it, you will find encouragement and hope and challenge and joy. Be drawn to God and delight in Him and His benevolence to us. Grow as a mother, a wife, and a woman. As Christian mothers, we have a high calling; this book will push you to live up to it.I cannot recommend Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad highly enough. Get a copy for yourself, a friend, and encourage your local library to invest too!

I was recommended this book from a mom friend and this may be the best motherhood book ever. Seriously. Abbie is an incredible writer and it has been such a joy reading and learning from her (She’s a mom of TEN-we all need to glean wisdom from this lady!) and growing in my God ordained role as a wife, mom, and homemaker in the process. I have so much enjoyed this read, the art throughout is beautiful, her writing style is entertaining and engaging, and every chapter is just so pinpoint accurate for what I’m needing in the “trenches of motherhood”. It’s truly groundbreaking and gives such much needed perspective shifts. I haven’t read her M is for Mama book but I definitely want/plan to!Read it! You won’t regret it!Signed, a mama of three littles 💓

I borrowed this book from my local library and loved it so much that I had to buy my own copy! As a new mom, I feel like this book helped me find perspective in what I am going through. I loved it and would recommend it to everyone! :)

First, I have followed Abbie on and off since the twinsies (Evy and Nola) were about a year or so old. One of her friends/fitness instructor partners (whom I shall refer to as "M") had a Christian mom blog and even though my kids were in their teens, and both Abbie and "M" were parents of young children, it was their faith that I followed them for as I had recently renewed my own faith and found myself expanding what I had known from my past (which is riddled with religious trauma) into what was true faith.So while her parenting techniques and antidotes aren't geared towards me (my sons are now in their 20s), I found myself shaking my head remembering my own days of wrangling two under three, one of whom was a very determined and headstrong child!HISNTSTAB is a book that longtime blog readers//social media followers of Abbie's have championed for, myself included. Chapter after chapter is enriched with Scripture to back up what Abbie is saying, and her husband, Shaun, lends his voice with his point of view. There are also action steps, questions, and prayers to round out each one.Abbie does not back down from the hard stuff, and though politically we're at odds over a few things, I commend her for sticking her neck out there in an age where everyone has an opinion and isn't afraid to share it...even when they should heed the words of their grandmothers and keep their negative opinions to themselves.

I love Abbie and all her content! Glad to have this book in my library

This is a great book with many great messages. Ordered M is for Mama as soon as I finished.

I have the first book and looking forward to reading this one. Came in good condition! Love Abbie's perspective on motherhood.

This author, along with her book M is for Mama has helped me readjust my view on motherhood. This culture is so anti-children, and Abbie totally smashes those cultural views and replaces them with Biblical truths that we can stand on. Highly recommend this author and this book.