Good Enough Is Good Enough
Confessions of an Imperfect Catholic Mom
by Colleen Duggan
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Pub Date Apr 13 2018 | Archive Date May 16 2018
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Description
The truth about parenting is that you don’t have to get everything right and your family doesn’t need to be perfect. Colleen Duggan learned those lessons through years of struggling with unrealistic expectations.
In this frank and intimate story, Duggan explores the emotional and spiritual healing that needed to take place in her life in order to be the parent, spouse, and follower of Christ God created her to be. Sharing both funny parenting moments and difficult times of self-scrutiny, Duggan invites us to join her in experiencing God’s healing mercy and shows how to allow that healing to rejuvenate our lives and revitalize our families.
As a child, Colleen Duggan smoothed over the jagged edges of her difficult home life with good grades and perfect behavior. By the time Duggan was an adult, her drive to constantly be in control was her way of life. It was only when she began raising her family that she realized how damaging this compulsion was for both her and the people around her.
That’s when she began her faltering journey toward letting God be in control.
In Good Enough Is Good Enough, Duggan shares her heartaches—learning her child has a genetic disorder that might lead to cancer; realizing that her drive to do and be everything for everyone strained her marriage; and struggling with feelings of worthlessness after leaving her job to become “just” a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom. She also shares parenting difficulties we’ve all faced—trying to keep her kids quiet during Mass; wondering whether she’s giving them enough opportunities for growth; and balancing time spent on herself, her kids, and others. With each story, we feel the brokenness she tried to cover by being a “perfect” parent and the eventual realization that she needed to find healing.
Through the saints, the sacraments, and Catholic traditions and literature, Duggan found the Church a place where God’s love and healing grace embraced her. She invites us to the same conclusion: whether we are dealing with everyday frustrations or life-changing tragedies, it is in the heart of the Catholic Church that we are finally free to let go of our facades in order to embrace our brokenness and find healing.
Features & Benefits
Colleen Duggan’s writing has appeared in Integrated Catholic Life, CatholicMom.com, Catholic Digest, Aleteia, and Creative Catechist.Closing prayers and reflection questions make Good Enough Is Good Enough an excellent group or individual resource.A Note From the Publisher
Duggan earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and psychology from Saint Mary’s College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Notre Dame. She is a contributor to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. She lives in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area with her husband, John, and their children.
Advance Praise
“This book shares in the greatness of all books that tell the truth. People who long for depth in our superficial culture will find refreshment here, and people who suspect social media doesn’t always tell the whole story will find genuine companionship.”
Grace Mazza Urbanski
Author of Pray with Me
“Every mother has experienced that awful moment when she discovers that no matter how hard she tries, she will never get it all right; she will never be a perfect parent. With this book, Colleen Duggan has written the sane and sensible way to refine on that impossible goal. Raising children who know they are loved unconditionally and who know who they are and where they fit in really is ‘good enough.’ In fact, it might be a close to perfection as we will ever get.”
Elizabeth Scalia
US editor of Aleteia and author of Strange Gods
“Colleen Duggan bares herself in an unprecedented way for the betterment of moms everywhere. Good Enough Is Good Enough is not just a fabulous read for you but also for your best friend and for the mom down the street. This is more than a pat on the back; it’s a soothing balm for your soul and a cheery cup of tea for your weary heart. Know, moms, that there is hope for you, for your family, and for eternity. This book will be treasured for the wisdom it contains and for the gem of hope it uncovers for moms everywhere.”
Sarah A. Reinhard
Catholic author, blogger, and coeditor of The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion
“I am thrilled by Colleen’s honesty. Her transparency about the challenges she has faced in her own faith walk invites us into a deeper consideration of our own imperfections.”
From the foreword by Lisa M. Hendey
Founder of CatholicMom.com and author of The Handbook for Catholic Moms
“We are grateful for Colleen Duggan's honest, soul-searching reflection on motherhood, which we hope will be a blessing to those who struggle against cultural messages that demand perfection of moms today. Colleen reminds us that God's grace perfects our always-imperfect nature if we are honest with ourselves and God. Thank you, Colleen, for this hope-filled call to all of us who are imperfect parents!”
Tim and Sue Muldoon
Authors of The Discerning Parent
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781594717314 |
| PRICE | $15.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Annette H, Librarian
I’m not Catholic but this book was really eye opening and honest. I learned a lot from it. I really enjoyed the writing style and stories.
Eva L, Educator
For me, the perfect book by another mother is one that is relatable but also gives me something to work towards. Sure, I want to hear about other peoples messiness, but I also want perspectives and insights that help me move in a new direction. This book is non-judgemental, fresh, and fun to read but that doesnt mean that the ideas within it are light; on the contrary, there's plenty here to mull over and contemplate for some time.
Sarah P, Reviewer
*Advanced Reader Copy of Good Enough is Good Enough, was received from publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review*
To say I was excited to have this book downloaded on my kindle is a little bit of an understatement. While listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Colleen Duggan was their featured guest and I knew this book would be excellent.
As a Catholic mom of 4, I related to every aspect of this book. I found myself nodding along, laughing (because my children have done a few things Colleen had during Mass), and even crying while getting a glimpse into the lives of the Duggans. The writing style was superb and it felt as though I was listening to a friend over coffee, at my house, while the kids are doing God knows what.
I plan on spreading the word on this book, it affirms that we Catholic moms aren’t alone. We have struggles, imperfect moments, but all these are gifts from God to draw him closer to Him. Colleen also draws our attention to Saints, that have undergone our same tribulations and overcame by the grace of God. She even shares conversations with her priest friend and counselors that keep the flow of the book work, After each chapter, there is a prayer and discussion questions that can allow the reader to delve deeper into their faith. Good Enough is Good Enough, is a truly captivating read and look forward to reading more of Colleen Duggan.
Barb S, Media/Journalist
Subtitled "Confessions of an imperfect Catholic mom," this book is surprising in many ways. You might think you're getting humorous Tales from the Cry Room -- and you wouldn't be wrong -- but there's much more to this book than that. Colleen is open about the messiness of her life, from issues in her own childhood to the discovery that one of her children has a genetic disorder, because she wants to encourage other moms to move toward healing. This book is motivating, honest, heartbreaking, funny, and challenging.
Ann T, Reviewer
Thank you AveMaria Press and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
I found this book refreshing and honest to read. The author encourages the reader to be gentle on herself as a mother, something that is a welcome stance in parenting today. There were a number of parts of the book that I returned to and will continue to use in the future.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
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