One Beautiful Dream

One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both by Jennifer Fulwiler

Audiobook read by the author - 

7 hours 

NonFiction - Memoir

A memoir by Jennifer Fulwiler - Catholic convert, homeschooling mom of six, standup comic, and host of a daily talk show on SiriusXM. It was like an elevated version of her podcast. I listened while doing tasks around the house. The book covers her life during the years that she was writing her first book. It was not great literature but was an interesting adult voice to keep me company.

This would be a good bookclub book for Catholic moms. There are lots of ideas and situations raised with which the reader will agree or disagree. Or that will just spur further thoughts. I think this book will hit different people differently, based on their current life situation and personality. Caveat: I personally had trouble connecting with her due to her personality. She leads with her mistakes and celebrates her messy life. That just isn't me!

She advocates for women following their passions, even while at home with young children, using herself as an example. She presented the beautiful idea of having a family perspective, versus an individual perspective, to your work. This would be a good book for women preparing to reenter the workforce or exploring new passions.

I also loved her idea about taking the long view with family. Don't just think about the sleepless nights and tiring first few years of a new baby. Consider potential children as teens and then married adults. Consider the richness each person will bring to the family farther down the road.

As a stay-at-home mom with three degrees, I feel solidarity with high-achieving women who chose to stay home for the betterment of the family. I connect with her struggle to stay intellectually active as a modern parent. Women today are often expected to put their lives completely on hold while children are young. This is not sustainable and partially explains why women feel the need to limit the amount of time they spend with young children. If women had a more integrated approach to motherhood, this period of raising children could be extended without hardship. Just my thoughts. This book is a bit chaotic and messy but provokes thoughts!

RECOMMENDED FOR: Bookclubs, especially Mom Bookclubs. Women preparing to reenter the workforce or explore new passions. Stay-at-home moms who want to hear another adult voice during the day.