More Stories for Young Women

I was asked to contribute a story to this book that was recently published. 

I look forward to reading ALL the stories in this book!

Choosing Motherhood Again

A while back Deseret Book asked me if they could re-publish an essay I wrote in my book titled For Every Mother in their new book coming out for Mother's Day 2020.


My essay is titled Choosing Motherhood Again.

The new book is titled All Kinds of Mothers.

I recently read a copy of this new book and when I read my own words, they seemed new. 

After reading my own words something happened that surprised me. 
I burst into tears.

The words I wrote in this essay many years ago comforted and inspired me to keep trying.

Lately I've had some experiences with motherhood that have left me totally devastated and heartbroken. I needed to hear those words I penned years ago.  So I want to share those words with you in case you need to hear them too:

"Motherhood is not for wimps. When you're pregnant, your body turns into a science fair project-only you're not in charge of the hypothesis, experiment, or outcome. After the baby gets here, you're sucked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, and wet on. Then later you get kicked, punched, screamed at, disobeyed, and run away from. You eat cold meals, wear stained clothes, and never get enough sleep. When your children are finally old enough to help, they won't. When your children are teenagers and their friends come over, they ask you to hide in your bedroom and not come out until their friends leave. When they move away from home for college, they only call home when they want something.

So why in the world do we do it? We do it because if we didn't, children would die or never be born. Society would cease to exist. The world as we know it would come to an end. I know of no other life work that can make that claim.

Those who do the most good in this world are often largely invisible and receive the lease credit or payment. When governments, financial institutions, and nations fail, mothers offer the answers-brand new people wrapped in flannel. We give the world fresh human beings with novel ideas, unique talents, and visionary answers to age-old problems. And we do it because we have chosen not to put ourselves first. We have chosen to be the stewards of a new generation. We have chosen to be the moral earth where the rising generation's roots can sink deep in time-honored values. We have chosen to offer our unconditional love, our time, our talents, and everything we have so that our children can grow up with a smile in the audience, forgiving arms in a crisis, and a push of encouragement at the door when they leave the nest and learn to fly.

No community or nation will survive without us. We feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless. It doesn't matter if anyone else, including our own spouse and children, appreciates us if we do. When we catch a glimpse of what it means to be a mother and how our actions or failure to act will affect thousands for generations, we will never undervalue our contribution again.

Motherhood frees us to love someone more than ourselves and gives a dimension of sacredness to everything we do. Motherhood liberates us from selfishness and creates a gentler world where someone is always looking out for others. Motherhood releases us from a life of get and introduces us to a life of give.

With the years and years of of nurturing, feeding, hugging, reading, and sacrificing we are granted the ability to love and the opportunity to be loved. Our hearts open to the value of another human being in ways we didn't before comprehend. We are transformed as we transcend self.

So on those hard days, choose motherhood again with even greater tenderness and commitment. I absolutely promise you that every sacrifice you make for your child will contain your life's greatest meaning-every choice to love, your life's greatest purpose."

I'm hosting a FREE writing workshop at my cabin

I am hosting a free writing workshop at my cabin on June 13th. My cabin is just a 15-20 minute drive from my home located at 305 North 2550 East (Spanish Fork Parkway).If you are interested we are meeting at my home at 6:30 and driving up together. Please bring a notepad and pen to take notes.
 

I think reading/writing enriches our lives immensely and that everyone can be a writer. I've been writing newspaper/magazine articles, features, columns, and many books for the past 40 years along with teaching writing at UVU and want to pass along some great ideas to get you started. I am also going to give each person who attends a copy of my first book, Winter's Promise, as a gift.

Healing From Abuse and Healing From Neglect Are Now Available on Twitter For a Great Price

https://gumroad.com/l/UWRnE

https://gumroad.com/l/cQiR

I'm part of a multi-author Mother's Day Giveaway.

FOR EVERY MOTHER by Janene Baadsgaard book club discussion

Marilyn Laursen asked me to speak to her book group in Provo, Utah yesterday. I have to admit, speaking to a group of women who love to read is one of my favorite invitations. Each woman had purchased a copy of my book "For Every Mother" and wanted to talk about it. Some of the women in the Grandview Book Club shared favorite parts of my book while others asked me questions about my family or about writing. Still others shared their life experience, ideas and wisdom.

     These women have been meeting for 40 years. FORTY YEARS! Isn't that awesome. They have seen each other through child rearing, times of trouble, joy and great loss. I loved being with them. Those who read always share a love of learning and a love for life.

     My first book was inspired by a woman that spoke to me privately after I spoke to her book club.
     "Janene," she said, "I cut all your columns out of the newspaper and put them in my scrap book. I put that scrapbook at the side of my bed and every night I read one. They always make me laugh or cry and I always feel better about life. Then I can relax and go to sleep."
    This kind woman gave me the encouragement I needed to write my first book. (So she wouldn't have to do so much cutting and pasting). I have a great love for book clubs and the women I meet there. Thank you for inviting me Marilyn. You are so blessed to have such a warm and loving group of friends and I was so grateful to meet them yesterday.

The LDS Mother's Almanac is now available as an e-book!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!

 

My book

 

THE LDS MOTHER'S ALMANAC

 

is available as an e-book.

 

This book is a comprehensive treasury of practical advice and creative ideas for mothers in any stage, from diapers to driver's ed and beyond.

 

If you're looking for a fun and helpful book to help you navigate the challenging years while raising children - this book is for you.

 

Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Almanac-Janene-Wolsey-Baadsgaard/dp/1570089078/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378995420&sr=1-1

Pin It

I'm signing books TODAY at BYU Education Week Aug. 20th from 1-3

I'll be signing books at the BYU Bookstore on Tues. Aug. 20th from 1-3. Hope you can stop by.

Announcing the release of : HEALING FROM NEGLECT. . . When Those We Love Don't Love Us

I'm happy to announce the release of my newest book titled "HEALING FROM NEGLECT . . . When Those We Love Don't Love Us."

My goal with this book and an earlier release titled "HEALING FROM ABUSE. . . How The Atonement of Jesus Christ Can Heal Broken Hearts and Broken Lives" is to help and heal. Ending all the destructive relationships in my life and writing these two books has changed my life.

I did not write these books to make money for myself. I use all the money I make from these books to buy copies and give them away for free to any one who needs one.

Click on the link below to find a site where you can purchase this book ON SALE.


http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Neglect-When-Those-Love/dp/1462111750/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1359492930&sr=8-16&keywords=janene+baadsgaard

If you would like to read a review of this book click on the link below:
http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-tour-healing-from-neglect-by.html

Click on the links below to read other reviews:
http://www.iamareader.com/2013/03/healing-from-neglect.html

http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/healing-from-neglect.html

To view the book trailer video click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHUSmFkJgA
 

Special Sale Price - 2.99 - on FOR EVERY MOTHER ebook

My publisher is running a special sale price on the electronic version of my book "For Every Mother" just in time for Mother's Day. You can check it out on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/For-Every-Mother-ebook/dp/B004QQ3N08/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367353036&sr=1-1&keywords=for+every+mother


You can also find a print version on sale at the link below.
http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-649988.html
Pin It

BOOK SIGNING For "Healing From Abuse" and "Healing From Neglect"

 

 

 

 

 I will be signing copies of my book "Healing From Abuse" at the Cedar Fort warehouse and store in Springville at 2373 W. 700 S. on Friday April 12th from 11-2. There will also be a way for you to pre-order a copy of "Healing From Neglect" at the event and I can sign a label to attach to the inside when it arrives. Also if you have a copy of one of my other books you want me to sign, please bring it down and I'd be happy to do that. Everything in the warehouse is on sale and there will be free food. Hope you can come. I'd love to see you and visit with you.

Pin It

Blog Tour Interview for HEALING FROM NEGLECT

I have a blog tour going going on right now. That means different web sites are reviewing my soon to be published book and providing reviews and give-aways.
Here is the link to the latest one.
http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/healing-from-neglect.html
Pin It

Interview and BOOK GIVE-AWAY For "Healing From Neglect"

Here's a link to an interview and a great BOOK GIVE-AWAY for my new book HEALING FROM NEGLECT . . . When Those We Love Don't Love Us.
http://www.iamareader.com/2013/03/healing-from-neglect.html
Pin It

Official Book Trailer for HEALING FROM NEGLECT. . . When Those We Love Don't Love Us

 http://youtu.be/_KHUSmFkJgA
Here is the official book trailer
for my new book
coming out in May
called
HEALING FROM NEGLECT . . . When Those We Love Don't Love Us.

Pin It

"HEALING FROM ABUSE" book by Janene Baadsgaard is an answer to prayer

Here is a letter I received from a reader about her experience with abuse in her marriage.

"Two days ago, I left my counselors office and went to Deseret Book, in hopes of finding a book that could help to bring me comfort. I have been searching Church bookstores for more than twenty years, hoping to find a book on verbal and emotional abuse. For 36 years, I have known that things were not right, but the only sources I could find in the church discussed not being so selfish and trying harder to make my spouse happier. Because of those books and articles, I essencially gave away every right to love and respect, let him do whatever he wanted, never voiced an opinion, convinced that I was the problem. He grasped upon this newfound sense of control and raged forward to crush my spirit, while trying to raise his own sense of selfworth. As I lay curled up on a bed in fetal position last December, after an hour of being yelled at, accused, condemned, told that I was the cause of all that was wrong, I prayed throughout the whole night for the Lord to take me home. As it continued the next day, the Spirit came upon me, and in a feeling of warmth and peace, I knew that the time to leave had come. However, even in doing so, I have been plagued with a sense of failure and wondering if I will ultimately be condemned for leaving a marriage that was sealed in the temple. Was I giving away every blessing and chance that I had for the Celestial Kingdom by filing for a divorce? Maybe I was really a sick person and did not know it! Was I just not willing to look at what a horrible person I had become? Could it be that “I” was in denial, and not my husband? Was “I” the problem? My husband affirmed that the answers to these questions was “yes”.
My counselor began to help me see what was really happening at home, and that the answer to these questions was actually a resounding “NO”. I began to feel that I was doing the right thing by leaving, in spite of my grown children’s protests. I gained strength and confidence. But the questions about the eternal consequences I might face continued to plague me. For weeks I had prayed to have some answers….I prayed that there might be a book to help me and answer my questions, so that I could feel the peace I so desparately wanted. The next day, I went to Deseret Book and felt prompted to buy your book. Thank you so much! Your descriptions of the abuser and the abused describe so perfectly the life that I have led for 36 years. The scriptures and quotes from prophets and apostles, along with the explainations and interpretations of their meaning have helped to give me a sense of peace and purpose that I have never possessed. Realizing that by leaving, I am stopping the abuse and am actually helping HIM to not further condemn himself, is a huge help. Thank you so much…..my only wish is that your book had been available 30 years ago, when I searching for such answers back then! I am finally , beginning to look forward to the rest of my life."

 

"Healing From Abuse" Reader Review

I just received this letter from a kind reader.

"I have been meaning to send you a note for ages, thanking you for writing "Healing from Abuse". I know it was not an easy thing for you to do, faced as you were with so many challenges. I admire you so much for your courage and persistence! This is a book that really needed to be published. It is one of the best I have ever read on the subject of abuse. I have given it to several people who desperately to read it.
On a more personal note, thank you SO much for your message in the book that it is not mandatory to continue in a relationship with an abuser in order to experience true forgiveness. Unfortunately and sometimes tragically, this viewpoint is conveyed to abuse victims more often than we imagine, by people who are in a position of trust in their lives. It happened to me. I was told by a church leader many years ago that not only should I forgive the abuser in my life, but 'put my arms around him', tell him how much I loved him, and continue in a relationship with him, because that is what good members of our church do. Believe me when I tell you that this abuser was not someone who should remain in my life, or in the lives of my loved ones. This was a situation in which the authorities had to be contacted. I certainly agreed that I needed to forgive him, but it would have been extremely harmful to continue in a relationship with him, period. I know that forgiveness can be achieved without remaining in a destructive relationship, and as you said in your book, forgiveness is as much for the victim as it is for the abuser, because it is very difficult to move past the abuse if you are locked in the pain and anger of the past. I was angry for a long time. (I wish I had been able to read your book then!) I have since been able to move toward forgiveness but, as you also said in your book, it is a long process and I am not quite there yet, even after all these years. But I haven't remained angry and bitter, and have been able to help others, and that has been so valuable and important in my healing process.
Again, Janene, thank you for going through what you did to publish this wonderful book."

 

I Have A New Author Facebook Page

I have a new author facebook page called Baadsgaard Bylines where I share my news and views. I also regularly interview Granny B for her wit and wisdom. Check it out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baadsgaard-Bylines/134614790040114?ref=hl.

If you like it, be sure to click the "like button" for that page and then share it with your family and friends.

 

Granny B do you have anything you want to share today?
"Yes sir, I do. Did you know that after much serious research by learned scholars on the subject, scientists have discovered it's bad to suppress laughter. If you do, it sucks back down into your body and spreads out at your hips."
 

Thank you for sharing Granny B.

 Pin It

On The Roller Coaster Called Motherhood

I've been writing about the ups and down of family life for many years. Here is a story from my book "On The Roller Coaster Called Motherhood".

I've been going to parent/teacher conferences for over thirty years. Certain meetings have proved to be unforgettable. For example, this is what my daughter's kindergarten teacher told me.

"I have seventy students. There are thirty-five in my morning session and thirty-five in the afternoon. Well, I'd just finished with boots number 137 and 138 on little Billy before I got to the end of the line - your daughter. We shoved and we pushed and we sweated, but we finally managed to get those stubborn boots on her. As I leaned back to take a deep breath, your daughter said, 'These aren't my boots.'
"Oh, great, I thought. Some fellow student has walked off with the wrong pair of boots. So we huffed and puffed and pushed and pulled, and finally we got them off.
"Then your daughter sweetly said, 'Those are my big brother's boots, but my mom makes me wear them anyway.'Pin It

THE TRUE MEANING OF SUCCESS

I was driving home the other day when a billboard caught my eye. It was a large picture of an older woman with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She had a broad smile on her face. The caption read, “Put poor kids though college . . . ...pass it on.”
Hey, I’m doing that too, I remember thinking.
Only the poor kids are all mine. Ross and I have always lived on a modest single salary. People told us you can’t raise a big family without two incomes these days. You can – if you want to bad enough. We had a dream when we married. We wanted to raise a large family and make investments in our children. So we made plans and went to work so we could offer all our ten children a university scholarship when they graduated from high school. We knew investing in human beings brings meaningful dividends.
As the years went by we both had opportunities come to us that would have required we limit our family size or the amount of time we had to spend with our children. We passed. We had a vision. We knew what felt right for us, a personal formula for success that felt good to us in our own soul.
We all need a vision – an inner flight plan that takes us where we want to land. If our vision only includes acquiring more material possessions and not blessing the lives of others . . . that is what we will end up with in the end. Through the years we have observed people with stuff visions. When they achieved the big house, new car or notoriety they sought, it did not make them happy. Lives spent on self and acquiring more possessions never satisfies. The thrill of ownership fades as quickly as the red paint on a new sports car.
I starting writing newspaper columns so I could afford to give all my children piano lessons. Writing about being a mom was something I could do at home. One thing led to another and pretty soon the columns became books.
One Saturday morning I was signing books at Barns and Noble when someone walked up and said, “Wow, you’re an author. That’s so glamorous. I’ll bet you lead a pretty exciting life.”
I chuckled as I recalled the morning’s events before I got to the store. I’d snuggled with my husband and a half dozen kids in bed, done three loads of laundry, cleaned up after soggy waffles then nursed and changed the baby. Before I hopped in the van to drive to the bookstore I spied a pile of do–do on our driveway covered with flies. I noticed my toddler near the mess minus his pants and underwear.
“Do you know anything about this?” I asked
“Sorry Mom,” my little boy answered. “I had to go real bad and I couldn’t wait.”
So I quickly dragged out the garden hose and ran some bath water. We splashed until my little boy laughed so loud it made my heart sing. I was late for the book signing, but I really didn’t care. All the people I cared most about weren’t at the store.
“Actually,” I said turning to the stranger talking to me at the author signing table, “writing is pretty boring compared to being a mom. Now that’s exciting.”
When it looks good to the world but doesn’t feel good in our soul, it isn’t success.

The LDS Mother's Almanac - Story Behind the Book

One afternoon after an exhausting day dealing with the chaotic demands of my large family and a busy husband, an editor from Deseret Book called me and asked me to write a comprehensive book for mothers.
"What do you mean by comprehensive?"... I asked.
"You know, you cover about everything a mother needs to know."
I laughed out loud.
"I can't do that. It's not possible and besides, I'm not an expert." I replied.
"We didn't ask you because you're an expert. We asked you because we love your writing style. You help mothers laugh, relax and feel good about themselves and what they do."

After more shameless bribery, I finally agreed to give it a try.

Within the next few days, my husband was called as a Mormon bishop and I found out I was pregnant with child number ten. (I was in my late forties).

I deeply doubted myself. How could I possibly write this book when my husband and children would not quit jumbling up my days with constant family demands and drama? How could I even think straight when I was so nauseated I could barely get my head off the floor. Certainly there was someone out there more qualified. I just was not up for up this. With all the material I could cover, I didn't even know where to start?

That weekend, my husband was headed up to the Homestead resort in Utah for some business meetings and I decided to go with him. While he was in planning meetings during the day, I had the opportunity for some quiet time to think away from my noisy household.

I was sitting alone in a hotel bed pregnant and nauseated contemplating where to begin. How could I write a comprehensive book for mothers when I was still trying to figure out this mom stuff for myself? I cried, but that just gave me a headache. So I got on my knees and prayed with a sincerity and earnestness that only comes from complete desperation. I was on my knees for a long, long time. I poured out all my inadequacies and flaws. I told God I could not write this book without His help.

Finally the answer came, clear and sweet. I needed to re-read the proclamation on the family. As I read, and reread this document, the jumble of anxieties in my head felt at peace for the first time.

“We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”

This quote became SECTION ONE titled Better Beginnings where I discussed pregnancy, labor, delivery, and caring for a new baby. I was also living through pregnancy, labor, delivery and caring for a new baby in my own life while I was writing about it.

“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.”

This quote became SECTION TWO called Understanding the Basics where I discussed children at different ages of development, discipline, housework, preparing meals, laundry, yard work family finances and fitness. I was also trying to fit in all these hundreds of demands on my energy while I was writing about it.

“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

This quote became SECTION THREE where I give ideas for celebrations, birthdays, holidays, important events, the outdoors, family vacations and daily life. I was also living through all the crazy holidays, events and vacations while I was writing about it.

“Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”

This quote became SECTION FOUR where I discussed expression, art, cooking, crafts, computers, dance, drama, music, photography, reading, science, math, writing, family fun, nurturing self and grandma-hood. I was also wondering how to fit in all that good stuff and learning to be a new grandma while I was writing about it.

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This quote became SECTION FIVE where I discussed the family and the church, perfecting the saints, proclaiming the gospel, redeeming the dead, balancing busy family life, spiritual growth for moms and dealing with tough problems. I was also trying to create spiritual growth in my unbalanced self while I was writing about it.

Yet, even after I had a vision for the organization and what I wanted to discuss, my life was not happily ever after. I got about 200 pages into the manuscript before I got bogged down and discouraged. I wanted to give up. The new book and my life were just too exhausting and overwhelming. I rarely saw my busy bishop husband, my ten very active children were a hand full and the newborn late-night feedings and teenage curfew breakers kept me in a state of perpetual sleep deprivation.

Then 911 happened. I thought about all the mothers and fathers who were killed in the towers. I thought about the possibility of my own death and what I would want my children and grandchildren to know. My deep love for my own sons and daughters gave me the will to continue when I wanted to give up. So, I just kept waking up every day, rubbing my eyes and giving it my best shot.

Is "The LDS Mother’s Almanac", my comprehensive book for mothers, a literary masterpiece? Far from it. Do I have a perfect family? Far from it. Did I ever see my husband again when he was released as bishop? No. They made him stake president. Did I ever get a goodnight’s sleep? No, I still have teenagers and my husband snores. And guess what, I’ve never really felt like I figured out how to be a mom. I think that’s OK. I think we all feel like that.

Pin It