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Kathleen Ann Harper
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The Well-Crafted Mom: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Making a Life You Love Kindle Edition

by Kathleen Ann Harper (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 out of 5 stars 75 ratings
The life coach and coauthor of Signs of a Happy Baby shares self-care strategies and crafting projects to help get new moms on the path to lives they love.

When life coach Kathleen Ann Harper struggled with the demands of motherhood, she took control of her life through dedication, self-care, and finding a creative outlet for herself. Now she’s a life coach dedicated to helping new mothers facing the same struggles she once did. In The Well-Crafted Mom, Harper blends personal anecdotes and inspirational craft projects with smart self-care solutions for moms.

The Well-Crafted Mom links simple craft projects to life coaching tools to give moms creative reminders of what they’ve learned in each chapter, like how to grapple with mommy guilt; ways to tell the difference between having a mess and being a mess; how to know when expectations are stealing your happiness—and what you can do to reclaim joy.
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  1. Print length
    181 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Morgan James Publishing
  4. Publication date
    June 5, 2018
  5. File size
    4.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kathleen Ann Harper is an eager reader, enthusiastic tap dancer, and avid crafter. She’s the co-author of Signs of a Happy Baby: The Baby Sign Language Book, which she wrote with her husband, William Paul White. A certified life coach for moms, Kathleen is passionate about sharing smart self-care solutions for managing motherhood through her writing, life coaching, presentations, and retreats. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrative Healing, which incorporated coursework in psychology, philosophy and religion, holistic health, and kinesiology. Kathleen lives in San Mateo, California, with her husband, two teenaged sons, and a beloved tabby cat that rolls over and fetches.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07D8J6G7Z
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Morgan James Publishing (June 5, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 5, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 181 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 75 ratings

About the author

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Kathleen Ann Harper

Kathleen Ann Harper

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Kathleen Ann Harper is the author of two books, The Well-Crafted Mom and Signs of a Happy Baby. In her life coaching groups for moms and in her one-on-one coaching practice, Kathleen integrates coaching support with creative activities to help moms manage the transitions and challenges of motherhood. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in Integrative Healing, a specialized major that incorporated studies in psychology, philosophy and religion, holistic health, and kinesiology.

Kathleen is married to William Paul White, her co-author on the baby sign language book, Signs of a Happy Baby. They are parents to two boys who both still sign.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
75 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book brimming with sage advice and practical tips, making it a worthwhile read for parents with children, particularly new moms. The writing style draws readers in, and the stories are very relatable. Moreover, customers appreciate how the book provides guidance for building a happy family and managing daily stress, with one customer noting it's a must-read for those feeling burned out. Additionally, they value the author's honesty in sharing her family's challenges and parenting experiences.

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41 customers mention "Advice"41 positive0 negative

Customers find the book brimming with sage advice and wonderful guidance, with one customer noting it provides practical tips for seeking out positive experiences in daily life.

"...from Venus,” this book resonated with me in many ways and gave me tools to be a better man, starting with being a better person to myself...." Read more

"...Great quotes and research make this book informative and encouraging. The Well-Crafted Mom is well-crafted indeed. A joy to read!" Read more

"...“The Well-Crafted Mom” is full of research and resources that Kathleen has put together, making it a concise and useful guidebook on how to weave a..." Read more

"...It's an insightful book that candidly discusses the rollercoaster of motherhood with theoretical perspectives from thought leaders...." Read more

23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, describing it as a lovely and beautiful journal that is particularly suitable for parents with children. One customer mentions it is a must-read for busy moms.

"...It’s fresh and engaging, often employing homespun images to inspire the reader: “Only you know where to plug in the night light when you’re feeling..." Read more

"...Each chapter ends with a craft that can be a beautiful reminder of the lesson...." Read more

"...This book acknowledged my feelings as understandable and justified, and pointed out the unselfish need to take time out for myself...." Read more

"...I highly recommend this well-written book." Read more

18 customers mention "Parenting advice"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the parenting advice in the book, finding it particularly helpful for new moms and those building happy families. One customer mentions it provides practical guidance on adjusting to motherhood, while another notes how it addresses insecurities surrounding parenthood.

"...This book is perfect for new moms or for mom’s adding to their families that are dealing with little sleep and the silent slipping away of any..." Read more

"...and would recommend this book as essential pre-reading before birth, postpartum, and to any mother trying to hold her space while meeting the needs..." Read more

"...her advice for dealing with the emotions and insecurities surrounding parenthood was helpful as well as being executable with concrete steps...." Read more

"...to the lessons– how to say no, staying in the present, feeding your soul and your family, taking care of yourself, and more – lessons we all need to..." Read more

17 customers mention "Ease of writing"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with several mentioning how it draws them in, and one customer noting that the advice is executable with concrete steps.

"...The book is full of statements that prompt you to rethink some of your old ways of coping. “..." Read more

"I knew I was in for a treat only a few pages in. Beautifully written, Kathleen took me down memory lane about caring for my own young child...." Read more

"...of research and resources that Kathleen has put together, making it a concise and useful guidebook on how to weave a life full of JOY for me and my..." Read more

"...The book is organized well and structured so it's easy to pick up and focus on specific sections if you'd like work through that way...." Read more

14 customers mention "Craftedness"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the craftsmanship of the book, with one mentioning it arrived at a perfect time for them, and another noting it's among the best motherhood books they've read.

"...Sleep restores. Sleep rejuvenates. Sleep gives you the superhuman strength to take on any challenge.”..." Read more

"...The Well-Crafted Mom is well-crafted indeed. A joy to read!" Read more

"...The Well-Crafted Mom” helps moms get out of the hole that often comes with ignoring self-care and self-kindness, so that we can get back to our..." Read more

"...The beauty of The Well-Crafted Mom is that it meets us just where we are: in need of a little understanding and perhaps a detailed nudge to help..." Read more

13 customers mention "Relatability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book relatable, with stories that resonate with their experiences, and one customer notes how the genuine telling of reality feels refreshing.

"...of writing drew me in, making me not just read the words, but also feel the story...." Read more

"...I find Kathleen’s genuine telling of reality so refreshing and relatable – her stories in each chapter help to take me back to a time when I was..." Read more

"...This book was entirely relatable, as if the author were speaking to me, telling my life – motherhood bringing more joy that I ever could have..." Read more

"...The stories all resonated with me and I thought her advice for dealing with the emotions and insecurities surrounding parenthood was helpful as well..." Read more

12 customers mention "Balance"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's balanced approach to life, finding it comforting and a must-read for those feeling burned out, with one customer noting how it helps manage daily stress.

"...I turn to whenever I need a quick refresher on tips to mindfully manage the daily stress and focus on the bright spots of joy that make it all worth..." Read more

"...This book acknowledged my feelings as understandable and justified, and pointed out the unselfish need to take time out for myself...." Read more

"...It points me a new path of motherhood which does not involve sucking out my energy yet still raise happy kids and serve a happy family...." Read more

"...It made feel special and that I was taking time for myself which does not happen as often as it use to...." Read more

9 customers mention "Honesty"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honest approach to motherhood, with one customer noting how the author openly shares her family's challenges.

"...She writes with honesty about the parts of parenting that can feel burdensome but manages to do it in a very honest but uplifting way...." Read more

"...It's an insightful book that candidly discusses the rollercoaster of motherhood with theoretical perspectives from thought leaders...." Read more

"...by the vulnerability of the author and the resulting authenticity of her observations on parenthood...." Read more

"...She honestly tells her mothering story and personal journey to fulfillment through motherhood...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • V Harper
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Book for Moms and Dads Alike
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I’m not a Mom, but I’m married to the mother of our children, was raised by a mom (the same mom as the author, in fact), and am raising a girl who wants to be a mom some day. This book spoke to me on two levels. As one who loves moms and moms-to-be, the book gave me new and valuable insights into the mindset of these amazing people. The other level was as a human. While I do believe that “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus,” this book resonated with me in many ways and gave me tools to be a better man, starting with being a better person to myself.
    The book is full of statements that prompt you to rethink some of your old ways of coping. “To shape the path to get you where you want to go, recognize that you’re not a mess, you just need helpful habits that will help you stay on track.” It’s true; we’re all broken and are always going to be that way. We win when we can accept that we’re broken, embrace the journey, and get crackin’.
    What I like about Chapter 6, and is emblematic of the entire book in fact, is the research that supports Kathleen’s premises. In this chapter she focuses on partner relationships, often strained with children. She quotes John Gottman, who is widely regarded as one of the foremost scholars on intimate partnerships. “Trust is built in very small moments in which one person turns toward their partner when they are in need.” The author knows her stuff and it shows.
    Kathleen also has a delightful style of writing that will keep you engaged. It’s fresh and engaging, often employing homespun images to inspire the reader: “Only you know where to plug in the night light when you’re feeling tired and lost in your own dark corridor of parenting. “ We all love sleep. The way Kathleen describes it makes me want to go take a nap right now. “Sleep restores. Sleep rejuvenates. Sleep gives you the superhuman strength to take on any challenge.” And in chapter 7, “Developing the self-control to stop yelling meant building my brain power to become the P for Patient Parent who praises her progeny.” Fun!
    What sets this book apart is Kathleen’s courageous path to getting to a place where can share her insights with us. The vulnerability the author displays Chapter 11 is fearless. Admirable. Beautiful. This is not a chapter (or a book for that matter) written by an outsider who has read all the literature about a topic and is summarizing it for you. This is a passion project of a person who has jumped into the pit herself, dug herself out, and wants you to do the same. You’ll be so much better for it. I am just for reading this book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • calbers
    5.0 out of 5 stars This Well-Crafted Mom Knows her Stuff. I Think Her Book will Help a Lot of People!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I knew I was in for a treat only a few pages in. Beautifully written, Kathleen took me down memory lane about caring for my own young child. Realistic, yet encouraging, her style of writing drew me in, making me not just read the words, but also feel the story. She writes with honesty about the parts of parenting that can feel burdensome but manages to do it in a very honest but uplifting way. Each chapter ends with a craft that can be a beautiful reminder of the lesson.

    This book is perfect for new moms or for mom’s adding to their families that are dealing with little sleep and the silent slipping away of any personal time and space.
    The ideas are so practical. They feel like the gentle reminders offered by a good friend to take care of yourself, and here’s how.
    I laughed as she described her toddler who refused to “bend in the middle” so she could get him in the shopping cart. She offers wisdom about adding too much stuff to your house by asking “Do I love it or need it?” Another great test for saying “yes or no” to outside projects is “does it feed your soul or feed your family?”

    Great quotes and research make this book informative and encouraging.

    The Well-Crafted Mom is well-crafted indeed. A joy to read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • KC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and Relatable Resource
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    For the longest time I thought I was the only one who struggled with the daily challenges of being a Mom - until I found Kathleen Ann Harper’s “The Well-Crafted Mom.” I find Kathleen’s genuine telling of reality so refreshing and relatable – her stories in each chapter help to take me back to a time when I was also in the space, sometimes even making me laugh or cry. “The Well-Crafted Mom” is full of research and resources that Kathleen has put together, making it a concise and useful guidebook on how to weave a life full of JOY for me and my family. Within the pages of each chapter, Kathleen shares practical and reality-based tips on how I can work through the daily struggles to find joy in Motherhood and within MYSELF. On any given day, I can pick up “The Well-Crafted Mom,” and flip to whatever chapter seems to relate to what I’m going through to refresh my outlook and empower my choices. Whether it’s facing a daunting project (take baby steps) or feeling like I am overloaded with never enough time (say no to things that don’t feed my soul or feed my family). The Well-Crafted Mom is a great resource I turn to whenever I need a quick refresher on tips to mindfully manage the daily stress and focus on the bright spots of joy that make it all worth it! With Kathleen’s encouraging and supportive guidance and practical tips, I have found that I can be a truly GREAT Mom, while also flourishing in things that I’m passionate about outside of being a Mom! “The Well-Crafted Mom” helps moms get out of the hole that often comes with ignoring self-care and self-kindness, so that we can get back to our baseline and then discover our goals and dreams again to really FLY.
    One person found this helpful
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