As a veteran homeschooler, I wondered if Seasons of a Mother's Heart was really going to be a book I needed to read. After all, I've been through many seasons already as both a mom and a homeschooler. How wonderful it was when I realized this book was exactly what I needed! My mommy soul was thirstier than I realized and I soaked in every chapter, feeling more and more refreshed as I kept reading.

Sally Clarkson writes with such a natural and friendly voice that you almost feel like you're sitting in her living room learning from someone who's been there and done that. She freely shares her struggles and mistakes just as often as she shares her successes and good ideas. Written in four seasons - renewal, response, resolve and reflection - Mrs. Clarkson leads you gently through twelve chapters of things she's learned in each of the seasons.

With a constant reminder to never waste your time as a mother, she encourages you throughout the book to be joyful and purposeful in your mothering. At the same time, you are always challenged to go to the Lord for your help and leading. At the end of each chapter, there is a Bible reflection section to help you focus your own thoughts about the chapter's topic.

So many times when I read a book about "encouragement", I end up feeling utterly discouraged because of all the things the author is (seemingly) doing that are way more wonderful than anything I'm doing. I end up just seeing myself as a great big failure who has so much to work on that I don't even know where to begin. Not so with this book. I was gently nudged several times. I felt like I was given a pat on the back sometimes. But, I was never made to feel less superior to the author. In my opinion, that's the way a really good encourager should make you feel. Don't get me wrong, throughout the book I was convicted on quite a few issues, but I felt like she was cheering me on, in a sense, to make the changes I need to make.

Veteran homeschoolers, those just beginning, or even moms just thinking about homeschooling will all find this book to be an encouragement. The same goes for moms of teenagers or moms of toddlers. There didn't seem to be a specific age or experience limit to what someone can glean from the writing. I encourage all moms to get their hands on this book (whether you think you need encouragement or not.)

Product Review by Cindy West, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, November, 2008