Book Giveaway: A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family
OK, here’s your chance to be one of the first people to own a copy of my book. A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family shares the story of the growth of our family, as well as the hints and tricks I’ve learned over the years that help me stay sane as a mother of many. I’d never claim to have all the answers, but having a large family has forced me to become more efficient.
Some ideas in the book are tailored specifically for larger families, but many ideas in every chapter could work for any busy family, large or small. As an added point of interest, some of my very favorite blogger-mommas have graciously shared their wisdom for this book, including Shannon (4 kids) from Rocks in My Dryer, Carrien (3 kids) from She Laughs at the Days, Jane (7 kids) from Building the Ark, and Jenni (12 kids) from One Thing.
I will be giving away one copy of this book every week for the next 4 weeks. To be entered in this week’s giveaway, simply mention the giveaway in a post on your own blog and link to this blog post by Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, I’ll randomly choose one commenter as the winner of the book. Here’s a cool thing: in future drawings, those of you who have already written a blog post about the book will be able to enter the next drawing by simply commenting on that post.
That means if you mention the book on your blog this week, you’ll have four chances to win. Do it next week, and you’ll get three chances to win…and so on, until all four books have been given away. I’d be very grateful for a mention on your blog at any point in time, but mentioning it soon will give you the very best chance of winning a book.
International readers are welcome to enter the drawing. And if you don’t have a blog, don’t worry. Simply visit the sample pages of this book on Amazon , and click on ‘Surprise Me’ at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar. Clicking that link will take you to a random page from the book. Select one sentence from that page and type it into a comment on this post. And that’s it- you’re entered.
Good luck to everyone!!
“I’ll admit it: there are moments where my eardrums throb and I wish for noise-canceling headphones.”
I do not have children living at home anymore but both my husband and I are on fixed incomes and we are living on less money then we ever had to before. I would love to own this book so I could learn how to make ends meet without feeling guilty about not having steak every week.
“Once your kids are old enough to begin extracurricular activities, think quality over quantity.”
I hope I win! This book looks great!
Going to do it NOW!!!!!
“Sleep deprivation was new to me”
Looking forward to reading your book…
“The air is rich with the delightful smell of apples and cinnamon, betraying the presence of two pies in the oven.”
YUM! Can’t wait to read it!
I also mentionned your book giveaway in my blog.
Good luck to everyone!
“Over years of toy buying and toy receiving and toy sorting and toy tossing, I’ve come to realize that there really are only a few good toys.”
So true…
“Do you despise play-doh?” This caught my eye and made me chuckle, because we have been enemies for years, now. Would love to scour your book for ideas and wisdom! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like an excellent book. I blogged about the giveway.
http://emilyswhatsoeverthings.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-giveaway-at-owlhaven.html
I can’t wait to win a copy of your book. I am a fellow adoptive mom of a “large” family–9 kiddos. I have mentioned the book on my blog and added the book to my bookshelf “hope to read soon” books!
“Relationship building is another key to success in this area”
Well, okay, I do need the book. I feel myself sometimes becoming a dictator & demanding obedience, while dancing around taking care of my “stuff” instead of spending time enjoying my kids.
“That’s when I realized the binkie was taped to her face. Scotch taped.” That definitely made me LOL!! What would we do without husbands!!
Can’t wait to read your book!
After all, I swore as a teenager that I’d never have more than four.
http://titus2345.blogspot.com/2009/03/sane-i-am-not.html
It is written. Now pick me! Pick me!
My son, though willing to assemble the pie, felt that pie primping was too much to ask of him.
I only have three kiddos at this point, but I could use all the advice I can get!
I posted it to my blog. If you click on my name, it should take you directly to the post. 
Thanks!
“If I’m being productive while still remaining available, I find it much easier to keep my cool.”
I can see there is much wisdom in this book!!
Kate from NC
Alright, I linked to you. Now I’ll just hope for the best, I’d love to win the book!
Blessings on you and your big crew!
Shana (mom of 5!)
http://thestollcrew.blogspot.com
No blog, so I had to do the Amazon thing. If people are having troubles, they should try a different browser (I had to try two before it worked). I loved the chapter titled “Will Grandma Be Worn Out by Our Brood?” so that’s my entry. Hope a chapter title qualifies!
some people will come right out and call you crazy
“Unless you are extremely organized, there will also most likely be extra meals eaten out if you’re living in the car, driving kids from place to place around mealtime.”
That sentence is so true! Can’t wait to read the book.
“Another thing that may help is to consciously let go of ideas about sleep that you may have.”
I only have 6 of my own, but that is so true! Mary, I really love all of your insights. I hope I win a copy.
“I am convinced that my childhood would have been just as good without that very expensive forty-eight hours of my life”
Looks like a great book!!!
Organizing paperwork is essentail.
I need some help there. Yikes
Just wanted to drop by and say how excited I am for you! I ordered your book shortly after the pre-buy option became available. I haven’t read and excerpts… because I want to sit down and just enjoy the whole thing. :0) Congratulations Mary!!!!!!!
If your 2,000-square-foot house is costing you $1,500 per month, you’re paying $9 a year for every single square foot in your house.
[...] I, for one, cannot wait! And Mary has included a special offer. She’s doing a giveaway of her book on her blog for the next 4 weeks. If you’d like to enter, click here [...]
Thinking of tomorrows meal; I am glad for the 35 peeled potatoes….
I have been following your blog for several months and have enjoyed all your tips and stories. I am a mom to 5 children and 4 of them are age 3 and under. Two of our adoptions were from special needs lists. We have a daughter with a repaired Cl/CP and a son diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. We are also homeschooling our children. We are praying about adopting a sibling group in Ethiopia. As you can see I am a busy mom and could use all the advice I can get. Would love to have your book to read! I posted a link on my blog.
As a mother of a larger family (5 Kids), I was actively looking for supportive websites for larger families, when I came across the Owlhaven site. I have been hooked ever since and what can be better than a whole book to enjoy on this topic! Thank you so much for writing it. I can’t wait to read it!
“I’ve had great success buying soccer cleats on Ebay.”
We love ebay deals. I am looking forward to reading your book and if I were to win one it would be a great deal as well.
Blessings
They imagine dads mortgaging their souls to Safeway.
Here is my chosen quote (with proper in text referencing, of course.. hehe):
“At moments like this, parents of large families know without a doubt we’re the richest people in the world” (Osytn 2009: 6).
I love the cover of your book!
“Another thing that may help is to consciously let go of ideas about sleep you may have.”
Congrats on your book!!!!
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and their children after them.
I am excited to read your book. I was looking it over on amazon the other day and I liked it, but today the page was a message from God that I needed to hear. Thank you.
‘One of the things I tell my kids is that misbehavior drains my energy.’
Amen! Thanks for a chance to win your book!
“Will your finances stretch to include more children?”
Good question! We know they will stretch as we add our 7th child – the problem is explaining that to others.
Can’t wait t read your book Mary !
I’m so excited about your book!
I have blogged about it here…. http://texausmomma.blogspot.com/2009/03/giveaway-from-owlhaven.html I’d love to read it! I’ve enjoyed your blog for a good while now! Thank you!
“Their job was to make spice soup.” How cute! I will definitely have to remember this idea!
I blogged about it here: http://becomingavesselofhonor.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-inturupt-this-blog-to-tell-you.html
I also went to amazon and checked it out last week!!! I will be buying one if I don’t win! It looks like a fun read!!! God bless!
“But it is so worth it.”
I can’t wait to read this book!
[...] a mom in two different ways (four of her children are biological, and six are adopted). Go to this post at Owlhaven for giveaway [...]
congrats on the book! i hope to get my hands on it someday. here’s a link to my blog post:
http://simplyserina.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/a-sane-womans-guide-to-raising-a-large-family/
I’m so excited about your new book! I’ve posted about it on my blog at http://www.bkeeping.blogspot.com Can’t wait to get a copy, whether I win it or not!
“A carefully chosen rental house can be a wonderful option for a large family.”
We started doing this last summer and are renting a house for our entire family this summer. I can’t wait to read the book.
I am a homeschooling mom of 4 kids – 2 bio and 2 adopted – and I have been inspired, challenged, and encouraged by your blog. I’d love to get a copy of your book!
I’ve posted it on my blog: http://www.bkeeping.blogspot.com
Looks like a wonderful book! Can’t wait to read it!
http://majellamom.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-book-i-want-to-read.html
I look forward to reading your book. Thanks for the chance to win one.
My post is up
http://lindaslunacy.blogspot.com/2009/03/sane-womans-guide-to-raising-large.html