Mended – Restoring the Hearts of [More Than] Mothers and Daughters – Giveaway

When I read the title, Mended – Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters, I almost dismissed it. I have a good relationship with my mom and I am a mother of sons. How would a book about mending a mother / daughter relationship apply to me or mine?

Not long after its release, I had the privilege of speaking with Blythe Daniel, co-author of Mended. She spoke of the motivation she and her mother, Dr. Helen McIntosh, had in writing Mended. “We wanted to write a book to help others navigate their mother / daughter relationship.” I was initially skeptical I’d find it relevant to my life.

Within the first few pages, however, Mended revealed far deeper application than the one relationship the title indicates.

Mended is not a “bleed all over you with our issues” book. It is not the stuff of tabloids or reality shows.

Mended is the thoughtful, respectful, and heartfelt story of Blythe and Helen, as daughter and mother, learning how to have a healthy, nurturing, loving relationship in the aftermath of Helen’s difficult relationship with her own mother. With candor, they share their mistakes, challenges, and growth journey toward becoming the women God desires them to be in their roles as daughter and mother. Through their honesty, we are invited to introspectively ask, am I the woman God created me to be in my relationships?

Mended is not simply their experience or opinion. Each chapter is rich with universal relationship insights born out of Helen’s training and experience in Counseling Psychology, scripturally sound biblical truths undergirding their insights, and relevant practical application – those first steps we can all employ to restore or strengthen relationships in a healthy and holy way.

Even though they write specifically to mothers and daughters, they left room for me, a mother of boys, to find myself in their story. Even though they write about overcoming the generational affects of dysfunction in a family that I did not experience, I received encouragement that I could apply their truths and lessons to deepen and strengthen my relationship with my own mom. In the chapter Doing Hard Things Together, Blythe’s perspective of walking alongside her mother’s lymphoma diagnosis, treatment, and recovery helped me see ways I can better journey with my own mother as she ages. In Blythe’s words, I want “to make the best of walking a hard road together by being aware of Mom’s challenges, but also not letting them define her or her situation.” No matter what relationship you have in your life, you will discover gems of wisdom that you can take and make your own.

Despite the title, Mended is for more than moms and daughters. Blythe Daniel and Dr. Helen McIntosh have created a valuable resource for anyone seeking to have a restored and richer relationship with someone they love.

Giveaway!

I have a new copy of Mended to give away. Leave a comment about a relationship you’d like to see restored and you’ll be entered to win!