Hang in There, Mama!
Encouragement and Advice for Moms Raising Teens and Beyond
1. Edition September 2025
288 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Uplifting, motivational guide for moms everywhere navigating challenging pre-teen and teenage years
Hang in There, Mama! Encouragement and Advice for Moms Raising Teens and Beyond uplifts moms by offering words of clarity, wisdom, and understanding for raising kids in the often-tumultuous phases of pre-teen and teenage years. Each chapter reveals raw, honest experiences of good and bad parenting days, from the highest joys to the worst failures, with key takeaways for readers to absorb. This book encourages moms to open the doors of communication, step out of their comfort zones, and come alongside other moms to reassure one another they are not alone on their motherhood journey.
Written by Ali Flynn, a prolific writer, speaker, influencer, certified English and Special Education teacher, this book explores topics including:
* The unavoidable nature of parenting mistakes, including a lack of patience
* Self-love and compassion as an antidote to those times when you feel completely lost
* Embracing juxtaposed emotions, like tearful smiles
* Living in the moment to get the most out of every step of your child's development
* Our children's growth as a catalyst to blossom ourselves
Hang in There, Mama! Encouragement and Advice for Moms Raising Teens and Beyond is an essential guide for moms seeking to recognize new boundaries and increased independence and illuminate the path towards healing, growth, and discovery.
Part I Motherhood 1
You Are Not Alone 6
I'm Not "Just a Mom" 8
Losing Myself or Letting Go? 10
Hope in the New Day 13
Being a Mama 16
Blessings Are All Around Us 19
Mistakes Happen 21
You Are Enough 23
A Mother's Love 26
Do You Love Yourself ? 28
I Am More 31
Pottery Wheel Spinning 34
Lunchbox Love Letters 37
The Evolving Journey of Motherhood 41
Hang in There, Mama. You've Got This! 44
Step-by-Step 46
I Have A Secret 50
I Cried Today 53
Self-Love 56
This Is Motherhood 60
Little Pep Talks As I Walk 62
Now I Get It 64
It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint 67
I'm Worthy Too 70
Here's to You, Mama 73
A Mother's Hope 74
Would You Know? 76
Part II Raising Teens 81
Holding On While Shifting 86
Falling Short, Maybe Not 89
The Open Road 92
Tearful Smile 96
If Only I Knew 99
Our Teens Need Us 101
24/7 104
Patiently Waiting 106
A Mother's Warmth 108
Catch Me 110
Side-by-Side 112
Grace in the Dressing Room 115
Breathe, Mama 118
There, I Said It 120
Blooms of Life 123
Climbing Uphill 126
My Motherhood Journey 129
Remember When? 133
More Mistakes 137
Mama 139
Some Days Are Hard 141
One Rose and a Thorn 144
Lean In 146
Fighting Little Fires 150
A Peaceful Drive 153
Chaos and Truth 155
Decisions, Decisions 158
Don't Give Up On Me, Mama 160
Life Changes 163
Part III Letting Go 167
Last Moments 174
How Is Today Already Here? 178
Is My Heart Ready? 181
The Nest 183
Missing You 186
It's Hard to Let Go 190
I'm Trying 192
Always a Mom 195
Packed Bags 198
Goodbyes Are Hard 201
The Changing Season 204
Worn Out Shoes 207
Crying Over a Car 209
I'm Scared. 213
Luggage and Letting Go 216
Staying Strong 219
One of Those Moms 222
From Heartache to Happiness 224
Home 227
Broccoli 230
A New Season 233
What Do You Do? 236
The New Me 238
The Way Back Home 241
Empty Nest 243
To Go Back in Time 246
Coming Home 249
Acknowledgments 255
About the Author 257