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    Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity
    Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity
    Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity
    Audiobook6 hours

    Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity

    Written by Kathy Ireland

    Narrated by Kathy Ireland

    2.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Are you a mom who is feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated?

    Are you trying to balance a marriage and raising kids with managing a household, a budget, and a career? Need help? Do you want real solutions... right now? Kathy Ireland understands. She's been there as a wife, a mother of three, and the CEO of an international business.

    In this audio-book, Kathy draws on personal experience, extensive research, concerns she hears daily from moms across the nation, and her longtime empathy for families to offer genuine hope and powerful, practical answers.

    ©2009 Kathy Ireland; (P)2009 Oasis

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateApr 1, 2009
    ISBN9781608145430
    Author

    Kathy Ireland

    Kathy Ireland communicates with moms everyday: online, at the grocery store, at church, at speaking engagements and on her company website. UCLA names Kathy one of the Top Ten Women's Health Advocates in America today. Kathy is named the mother of the year by the National Mothers Day Committee. Kathy is a Christian, wife and mother of three children. Kathy balances the responsibilities of building a brand with five Good Housekeeping Seals and what Forbes and the Wall Street Journal report as a 1.4 billion dollar design business. Honoring her priorities of faith, family and career are critical to Kathy.

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    Reviews for Real Solutions for Busy Moms

    2.5/5

    42 ratings19 reviews

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    • 1/5
      I think I had the same problem with this book as a lot of the other reviewers. I felt that the author skipped over some important issues with just a few words. I also felt that there just wasn't a lot of really helpful information in the book. I'm sure there are some people out there who might need this type of information, but most people will find that they've already figured out much of this stuff for themselves. I doubt that I could recommend this book to anyone I know.
    • 4/5
      Kathy Ireland offers advice and tips on practical issues for mothers in this book. She focuses on how to deal with the balance of working, having a family and a business. She presents her "solutions" well and this may be an excellent book for some mothers. I, however, sometimes found Ireland's tone condescending. Also, some of her tips were geared toward wealthier, more business-oriented mothers. I mostly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to other working mothers.
    • 3/5
      It seems that many of the books out there for moms have deep roots in the Christian faith. While this is by no means a negative thing - it can limit its readership, and turn people off to what might be a good message.In this case, there is very little new or innovative here; instead Kathy Ireland, once a megastar model, dishes out homey advice, tried and true techniques and simple viewpoints. Sometimes it is good to be reminded of what we already know - but a limited perspective such as that provided by this book can probably be missed without detriment to the reader!
    • 1/5
      While there is some good information in here, I really was expecting better, especially as a I am a fan of Kathy Ireland. Being widely read in the field of parenting literature, perhaps I am jaded --- or overexposed. Perhpas for a new mom of a younger generation, this book would be useful as a contemporary view of juggling the work / life / parenting balls. But this book seemed, to me, to be a mere rehashing of the same advice that has been handed out for decades. Some of it works, some of the time. But by and large, this felt like just another repackaging of the usual trite ideas, this time with a famous person's name and face on the cover.
    • 4/5
      According to the author, motherhood is the most important career in the world. I can wholeheartedly AMEN Ireland for this statement. However, you can't do everything all at once. Maybe you can do it all, but we can spread ourselves too thin. We must learn to take time for ourselves as mothers. The author says, "I've come to realize that it's truly important to make 'you' one of your priorities. If family really matter, remember that you're a member of your family. When you take care of yourself, your family will benefit more than you can imagine. "Each chapter of the book is designed to help you win in life as a mom. * daily issues you face are discussed * questions and answers * solutions to solving the need * a checklist for staying on track * advice from experts to helpThis book will help you remove obstacles to reach your dreams and destiny as a mom and person. You can enjoy the life meant for you. Topics discussed in this book are ~ * finances * building a happy home * health * safety * becoming your best * balancing care of others as well as yourself * faith
    • 3/5
      it is a really good book. Kathy is an author that knows this subject and writes about it well
    • 4/5
      Most people remember Kathy Ireland as a popular model from the 1980's and 1990's, but some may not know that she now heads her own company and is an outspoken Christian. I found this book to be a very easy read, I could put it down and pick it up days later with no problem. This doesn't say much for some books, but with this particular book I didn't have a problem with it. Some people may think that Ireland "sugar coats" real life, but I think that she is sincere in her approach and tries her best to be helpful. I personally found the book to be enjoyable and helpful, and I have suggested it to all of my friends from church.
    • 4/5
      Kathy Ireland is best known as a former swimsuit model, however over the years she has become much more: wife, mother, Christian, and CEO of a home furnishings business. In her book, "Real Solutions for busy moms" Kathy answers questions she has received from Moms across the country in a down to earth and conservative manner. While I wouldn't think of Kathy Ireland as the go to girl for busy motherhood, it turns out she is.
    • 4/5
      This was a great book because after reading it , I feel thatit helped put life into perspective (for me). I always just thought of Ireland as a super model but she is a strong and smart business woman. As a busy working mom myself, I felt that she gave a lot of good advice. And the fact that she struggles with her weight, just like the rest of us --really helped me think of her as "one of us". A good addition.
    • 2/5
      I felt that while it was interesting to read how Kathy Ireland related to an "everyday mom" it lacked depth and at times a strong discussion of the big concerns an "everyday mom" would have. She seemed to gloss over the "big issues" with simple, one sentence solutions (such as "I was an abused child and am worried" was responded to with "break the cycle!"). However, I thought her check lists were a great starting point for someone who may feel overwhelmed and is unsure of where to start. One of the most important "solutions" for busy moms is a support network. I think that when this book is taken in that context, it becomes more helpful and a great way to get everyone on the same page. The sections on water safety, fire dangers and other family emergencies were also a great reminder that are always useful to reread, no matter how prepared one may think they are.Overall, I would suggest this book as a discount book pick up or a library read. It was decent, but not something I would spend a lot of money or time on.
    • 3/5
      Most of the solutions offered here are obvious, but I don’t think that the usefulness of the book is diminished. As with many self-help books, the most useful thing that you may take away from this book is the realization that your problems, while seemingly overwhelming, are not unique. In fact, they are so common that people can make money writing books about overcoming them! And people do overcome these problems. And so can you. The solutions offered are common sense, the sort that seem obvious when you take the time to read the book and think about your problems. This is a Christian book, which may be a turn-off for some. It isn’t heavy-handed: the secular can simply skip over the suggestions about consulting your pastor and the Biblical references. Likewise, the author’s celebrity status may be an attraction for some and a negative for others.
    • 3/5
      I had a very difficult time making it through this book. I thought that there were some good ideas that were bogged down with details. I am a busy mom who likes to get to the point quickly.On the flip side, I was pleasantly surprised with some of her ideas and suggestions. I went into the reading of this book a little tainted with the preconceived notion of how a Kathy Ireland book should read. It was better than I expected as far as it included some questions that I have found useful in my life.
    • 3/5
      Admitedly, when I saw this book, I thought, "What does this gal know about real life?" I thought that someone who'd worked as a model and has been in the public eye couldn't possibly understand what life is like for the rest of us in the real world. I am happy to admit that I was wrong. Ms. Ireland does have an understanding of the challenges facing her fellow mothers in our society. She tackles finances, health, family issues and even communicating with your teenagers about sex and other challenging topics. As the parent of a preteen, I find these discussions increasingly challenging. Our society has grown more complex and even well-educated parents are challenged to discuss some of the topics tackled by Ms. Ireland.While some may think that the solutions offered are overly simplistic, I disagree. There are many mothers in our country who did not learn the information proffered in this book prior to finishing high school. Ignorance is rampant out there, folks. Ms. Ireland writes at a level that most of our society can comprehend. Granted, I did note that some of her answers seemed a bit simplistic. She did flesh out her replies and provide more substance. A few more specifics on how to actually organize schedules, meals, etc., would've been very helpful. The one thing that might put off some readers is her references to faith. I do not know if this book was written to appeal to the female Evangelical Christian demographic. It did seem like it was to me. When an author raises & waves the "faith flag," I start shutting down, as this a bit seems like pandering. My bias, I admit.
    • 1/5
      We should not judge a book by its cover, but I do think it is fair to judge a book by its title. I was excited to get this book as I am always looking for ways to "get it all done" as a busy mom. I thought this book was going to help me get things done more effectively. This book has only added to all the things I have to do and does not provide any solutions on how a "busy mom" can get it all done. Ireland tackles huge issues with just one trivial paragraph and then quickly moves on to the next item. Got a daughter with bulemia, get her help. Balance your check book more than once a month. Watch out for poison oak--but no mention of poison ivy, deer ticks (lymes disease), mosquitoes (west nile virus), etc. At the end of each chapter is a list of all the things a busy mom should be doing. But I ALREADY KNOW THIS! Ireland just gives you lists of things to do and no real solutions on how to get it all done.I was greatly disappointed by this book.
    • 3/5
      Many of us remember Kathy Ireland from her days as a supermodel, but this talented business woman has experienced phenomenal success in other areas of life, both personally and professionally. She now answers a calling to help other moms who are struggling down in the trenches of everyday life. She offers simple solutions in all the main aspects of home and family management: parenting, keeping a house, financial matters, safety, personal care, and physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Her advice is practical and sound. She obviously draws strength and inspiration from her Christian faith, and there are a few bible verses sprinkled throughout the book. However, the focus is predominantly on the challenges mothers face and how to meet those challenges with peace and joy. She encourages readers to skip around among chapters, perhaps working first on the topics which are most pressing or overwhelming.I particularly like the emphasis she places on having dreams and moving toward their fulfillment, even if only a little at a time. She makes the analogy to the unique perspective of being in your car – you have large windshield to see ahead of you, and a small rearview mirror to check behind you. “Occasionally you need to glance back,” she says, “there’s valuable information back there; but your windshield is many times larger than the rearview mirror for a reason.” Even Moms who do not feel overwhelmed will benefit from thinking about the issues brought up in this book. My only issue is the reading level – the language at times seems so simplistic, it has the feel of being written for a child or an English-language learner. I’d be surprised if it’s written much above a 6th-grade level. Perhaps this was their way of making it quick for busy moms, but I found it a bit annoying. Nevertheless, the tips are helpful and the advice is sincere from a woman who has learned valuable life lessons.
    • 1/5
      I had high hopes for this book, when I received it as part of the early reviews program. I'm a busy mom of 3 kids with my husband going through a residency program in a hospital. I'm often left feeling like a single parent to my 3 kids, because of my husband's work schedule and was looking forward to a motivational book that could give me some new wisdom that might help me make it through the last few residency years. However, the book, although well-organized, was not an interesting read. It was boring and taught me nothing new. I agree with the last reviewer that all the "wisdom" in this book is wisdom that has been told over and over and is now "common knowledge". In a response to one mother's concern about getting more exercise her great wisdom is to plan a family outing. I don't know anyone who already doesn't do that, but honestly, a family outing isn't going to supply us with the amount of exercise us busy moms are supposed to get in a day. How about the solution of taking the stairs instead of the elevator, park in the middle or back of the parking lot to get more walking in, etc. Those aren't original either, but it's a better solution. Her solutions are very original. The book would have been a lot better if it had any humor in it at all to make it at least a fun read. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book.
    • 1/5
      I received this book as part of the early reviewers program; I shared it with a female friend who is a very busy mother of three. We agreed that is an extremely disappointing book. Everything that is proposed as a solution here is common knowledge that anyone with a high school education would already know.The book is divided into brief scenarios headed by a proposed problem and then the author's "solution." For example, (page 14) Problem: "I should do a better job saving. I just can't face it -- it's too hard." Solution: "Learn to sacrifice." That's hardly insightful, and I'd venture that any reader who believes it is visiting from another planet. In fact, any busy mother who wastes time reading these solutions will consider many of them as insults to her intelligence.Here's another example: (page 67) "I used to be an organized person, with everything in its place. Now that I have children, our house is a jumbled mess. I forget appointments and can't find anything. Who can be happy living like this?" Solution: "Find an organizational system that works for you and take charge!" At the risk of being frightenfully trite, I add "duh."The book brims with commiseration but offers no new perceptions. A harried mother who is hoping for some shreds of wisdom by spending the $23.99 list price on this title will regret not having put the money toward a grocery bill or gasoline. The type of information that is given as "solutions" here is the same thing one should have learned, by default, growing up, or in a secondary school parenting class.I've tagged this book with the words banal and common sense, because they appropriately describe the content.
    • 4/5
      This is an easy to read book for moms that are feeling overwhelmed trying to balance everything and everyone in your life. There are some simple solutions in this book but I believe this book best resource is letting you know you are not alone and this is a common dilemma. The book uses real like questions and problems to give you a feel that there are others in the same situations. The Money Matters financial chapter only goes into the basics but does send an important message that everyone should save as little as they can every month and stop trying to beat the “Jones”.
    • 3/5
      Kathy Ireland with James Lund, Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity (New York: Howard Books, 2009)Former supermodel and successful businesswoman Kathy Ireland has written a 200+ page handbook on how to be a successful woman and mother. Chapters run the gamut from handling family finances in a difficult economy to family health to protecting the safety of home and children. Although it deals with a variety of practical matters, this is essentially a religious book as Ms. Ireland makes faith and spirituality the bases for her recommended approach to successful living.The book has much to recommend it. After introductory comments in each of the seven chapters, Kathy Ireland turns into Dear Abby as she responds to several questions relating to the chapter topic. This format permits her to dispense practical advice on numerous issues. The authors may lack professional credentials to qualify them to address these issues, but they do demonstrate considerable wisdom with their suggestions about down-to-earth solutions to common problems many modern moms face. Unfortunately, there is a noticeable unevenness to the quality of Ms. Ireland’s answers. Some comments are profound while others seem superficial and fail to offer meaningful help to the problems she addresses. A few of her suggested solutions are questionable at best and possibly even dangerous. For example, she advises women struggling with high credit card debt to transfer that debt to home equity lines of credit. Many professional financial counselors counsel against this advice because one’s home ownership is put at risk when their house is used to secure consumer debt. There are inconsistencies in the personal background she provides. In one place, she says she grew up thinking she was rich but what her father really meant was that God had blessed her family richly. Earlier, however, she claimed to have grown up in a family that never went to church and that didn’t have a Bible in their house. She writes about her excitement when she started reading the Bible for the first time while a young model alone in Paris. Perhaps it is possible that a father would frequently praise God for their family’s blessings at a time when he didn’t even own a Bible, but it seems such a strange juxtaposition that further explanation is needed.A final caution is that Ms. Ireland’s theology seems suspect at times. At the very least, some of her statements are in conflict with Bible teaching. I have no doubt that she considers herself to be a Christian and wants to share her faith with her readers. That is commendable, as is the fact that she is willing to stand up for traditional values and belief in Christ as the way to find success in living today. She bucks the trends that seem to be prevailing in American culture and she deserves credit for her conviction and courage. Notwithstanding that, readers should not look to this book as a trustworthy source for biblical teaching.With those quibbles recognized, Real Solutions for Busy Moms is practical and readable. I recommend it with 3 ½ out of 5 stars.