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When You Don’t Feel Grateful as a Mom or Wife

Do you struggle with enjoying being a mom? Read a guest post from author Arlene Pellicane and enter for a chance to win a copy of her new book on motherhood!

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Published

8 years ago

August 5, 2015

Arlene Pellicane

A few summers ago, my family was visiting the Virginia War Museum. Ethan, my 6th grade history buff exclaimed, “Look mom! It’s the Gratitude Train!”

This Gratitude Train was given to the U.S. by the French filled with gifts to say thank you for sending aid in World War I. Ethan had seen a photo of the Gratitude Train in a magazine and now he was seeing it with his own eyes.

Standing there looking at the train with Ethan, I realized how beautiful it would be to have a home with a gratitude train running steadily through it.

A constant flow of thanks running between spouses.

Between parents and children.

And dare I say, even between siblings.

I must admit in the midst of shouts of “Mommy, come here!” and “Mommy, I need help!” I can feel more like grumbling than giving thanks.

But for years, I dreamt of being a mom. I was looking at motherhood in magazines, not in real life. It’s good to remember those days, so I can be thankful for these days.

Maybe you dreamt of being a spouse, and now you’ve been married a few years. The gloss of first love has rubbed off a bit. It’s time to step back on to the Gratitude Train.

1 Peter 4:9-10 says, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

It’s time to exchange grumbling for gratitude. Pour milk with a smile for your toddler. Help with the laundry without feeling like a slave. Kiss your husband and squeeze his hand. Open your heart and let God pour joy into it.

All aboard the Gratitude Train!

Win a Copy of Arlene’s New Book on Becoming a Happy Mom!

When You Don't Feel Grateful as a Mom or Wife {Plus a Giveaway}

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Watch the Official Trailer for the Book

Free Gifts When You Order Arlene’s Book by August 10th

When you order 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom through August 10, Arlene has three bonus gifts to help you as a mom. Learn more at Arlene’s site.

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Arlene Pellicane

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom and 31 Days to a Happy Husband. She is also the co-author of Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World (with Gary Chapman). She has been a featured guest on The Today Show, Fox & Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. Arlene lives in the San Diego area with her husband James and their three children. To learn more and for free family resources such as a monthly Happy Home podcast, visit www.ArlenePellicane.com.

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"Real life is not always pleasant. Every marriage experiences disappointments, misunderstandings, sickness and financial crisis. Ashleigh doesn’t camouflage the pain in her own marriage, and offers practical ideas on how to walk through the difficulties and find intimacy on the journey. If you are anything like me, I predict that as you read, you too will find yourself laughing, wiping tears, and saying 'Oh, yes.'"

-- Gary Chapman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages