Slow Down - Book Review

Many years ago, an old friend of mine sent me a CD from a Christian singer named Nichole Nordeman. I had never heard of her before, but I popped the CD into my CD player and gave it a chance.

It was life-changing.

And so is Nordeman's new book Slow Down: Embracing the Everyday Moments of Motherhood.

The book is based on a lyric video called "Slow Down" she released on YouTube a few years ago. She wrote it for her son who was graduating from elementary school, and it's all about how she wishes she could slow down time because he's growing up too fast.

If you didn't see the lyric video, you can find it on YouTube. And if you think, "Oh, I better not watch it because it will make me cry," well, the lyrics to the song are printed in the book. So be warned.

You might just want to keep tissues handy anyway.

I first saw this book posted on someone's Instagram and I immediately thought, "I need to add that to my to-read list!" And then I was perusing the available books to review on Booklook Bloggers and there it was! So I think this book was definitely meant to come into my hands. Right now I'm still a little green in my mothering experience to answer some of the reflection questions throughout the book, but it does give me something to think about for the future.

I certainly have moments right now where I'm tired or frustrated, and I think, "Oh boy, I'll be glad when this stage is over with." But this book reminds us to not be so focused on looking forward to the future. To not be so quick to want our kids to move on to the next stage or the next new thing they're supposed to be doing. Because as Nordeman writes, those are the moments we are never getting back. Don't rush through them.

Just as we eventually find ourselves wanting our kids to slow down growing, we also need to slow down and enjoy the moments along the way. All of them.

I like that this book isn't your typical book. It's got fun, colorful graphics and stylized pictures of little kids and babies. There is space for you to write your answers to the "big questions" at the end of each chapter. And sprinkled throughout are essays and Q&As with other famous Christian writers, singers, etc., such as Amy Grant, Shauna Niequist, and Jen Hatmaker.

If you're a mother and you've still got kids in the house, then you'll definitely want to add this book to your bookshelf. Or better yet, just keep it on your nightstand and refer to it regularly.

I know I will.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”