Don't Forget to Say Thank You

I didn't expect that being a parent would teach me so much about being a child - a child of God. But it has.

In Don't Forget to Say Thank You, Lindsay Schlegel has collected her insights (parenting lessons) based on the the things she repeatedly says to her children: "Stop whining," "Go to bed," "You need to say 'I'm sorry'," and more.

Filled with relatable stories and lessons (including the author's personal struggle following a miscarriage), Don't Forget to Say Thank You is a gentle call to listen carefully to how you you instruct your children and why and then apply that to your relationship with God. It's a simple concept with surprising depth and resonance.

Lindsay Schlegel writes in a way that is realistic  to what motherhood is actually like! She challenges us to see and appreciate the mysteries and miracles all around us.  This book gives practical, real life solutions to the issues a lot of mothers face, but don’t always feel comfortable talking about, while still highlighting the importance of our spiritual journey. I love that it leaves room for readers to reflect on their own personal journeys through motherhood!

"Stop whining." That's what God has to keep telling me repetitively and that's one of the phrases Lindsay Schlegel unpacks in this ode to understanding a bit of what God goes through as a parent. 

I wish I reflected on how cleansing and self-sacrificing motherhood is in the moment, rather than in regretful moments after I let frustration or despair take over. But I'm the sinner and God is Love. The author wrote nicely about the difference and the similarities from which we can learn while living our role as parent. She uses oft-repeated parental phrases ("Don't forget to say 'Thank you,'" "Stop whining," "Wait a minute," etc) and shows how they apply to our lives as God's children. "What if I don't want to 'wait a minute,' God?! What if I want it RIGHT NOW?!" 

It helps with empathy, yes, but Schlegel's objective is clearly more so that we can picture ourselves in that role of child again. This way, we can more easily let God provide for us through His will and in His all-knowing way. That letting go feels impossible sometimes, but if we can step back and take small sips of life as dedication to that calling, as Schlegel suggests, we'll improve.

I enjoyed the anecdotes and the way I was pulled into the comparison between my parenthood (or really, more so my experience as a teacher, as my daughter is only one year old as I write this) and my daughterhood. For example, guess at what time I read the chapter about how we make sure our children get enough sleep, while staying up too late or skipping the sleep we so desperately need? 4 am. Because I decided I wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep and so I just got out of bed. God's whispering, "Go to bed."

Some of the unpacking was a little direct, rather than guiding. The book is a good set of experiences from the perspective of one woman and I could see it being a choice for a Catholic women's book club. The reflection questions and prayers in the back of each chapter would make that fruitful! Thank you to the author for using her time and talents to give voice to what many women think, feel, and need to hear!

The things we say to our kids contain more truth than we think: truths about our relationship with God. Lindsay Schlegel shares 15 of those phrases we say around the house on a daily basis, and examines what they mean by imagining God saying those same phrases to her. Rounding out each short chapter is a prayer, reflection questions, and a couple of patron saints whose example can help us on our spiritual journeys. Honest, encouraging, and challenging. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.

In Don't Forget to Say Thank You has collected her insights (parenting lessons) based on the the things she repeatedly says to her children: "Stop whining," "Go to bed," "You need to say 'I'm sorry'," and more.
Filled with relatable stories and lessons (including the author's personal struggle following a miscarriage), Don't Forget to Say Thank You is a gentle call to listen carefully to how you you instruct your children and why and then apply that to your relationship with God.

Schlegel invites us to apply the same lessons she learned to our own lives as parents and as children of God through reflection questions and a prayer at the end of each chapter. She reminds you that we as parents are the children of God who wants the best for us and our families.

Each chapter contains not only the reflection, but a few questions for consideration or discussion, a prayer, and a connecting Saint. It is a great reminder to us all that our daily words and actions, especially the ones we repeat the most often take on a sacramental quality.

I recommend this whether you are a parent or not. Wonderful book!!

You will find in this book meditations (short lessons) on motherhood along with questions to reflect on, a prayer and the life (an exemple) of a saint. 
The sweet words on motherhood bring so much peace and courage in the moms who read the book. 
Loved this book!