The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life
“JoAnna Wahlund did more than live her life. She stepped back and analyzed her situation as Catholic Working mom, tackled the taboos, and now she provides the modern woman of faith a reasoned, can-do guide through all the major questions and dilemmas Catholic women in the workforce encounter. This book elegantly furthers the beauty of feminine genius more than any other in our time.”
—Stacy Trasancos, wife, mother, nationally recognized author, speaker, and educator on the topic of theology and science
“As the creator and head fangirl at Catholic Working Mothers (FB), JoAnna Wahlund writes with pragmatism and empathy to those whose vocations include not just frying the bacon, but bringing it home as well. Regardless of why, where, or how much you work, this book will help you keep your priorities straight, your family close, and your soul connected to the God who sees it all … and loves you more than you can imagine anyway.”
—Heidi Hess Saxton, author and blogger, Life on the Road Less Traveled
“Whether you love your job or hate it, whether you are expecting your first baby or navigating child care for many kids, you will find a trusted companion in JoAnna’s words—sage advice, helpful hints, and encouragement that you are never alone. Return to this book whenever you need to find peace in the multiple ways God has called you to share your love and spend your life, at home and at work!”
—Laura Kelly Fanucci, author of Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting and Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage
“The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life builds up Catholic womanhood by respectfully highlighting a large group of women who are often ignored or even shamed. JoAnna rallies all women to support one another in their vocations and shares relatable anecdotes to grow empathy and sisterhood. Wahlund is smart, strong, and incredibly approachable as a writer and shares helpful facts and insights so working moms can thrive in their careers and homes. I am convinced that all Catholic women should read this book so we can better support our sisters in Christ.”
—Bonnie L. Engstrom, speaker, author, and blogger at A Knotted Life
“The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life is a gift for every mama who has wrestled with contributing to the family income while bringing up her children. It’s practical and authentically Catholic guidance and advice — beginning and ending with the reminder to pray, pray, pray to discern God’s will, and including the teachings of the Church and the examples set by saints who were working mothers — making it an essential resource for all women who have both babies and bosses.”
—Kate Morna Towne, mother, freelance writer, blogger at SanctaNomina.net, and author of Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady
“The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life isn’t just a memoir or a collection of theoretical essays on working moms; it’s a field guide full of practical tips that can be implemented immediately. Workplace moms and stay-at-home-moms alike will benefit from the wisdom in these pages. Ultimately, this book is a pro-life work as it brings about understanding and highlights dignity across vocations.”
—Jenna Hines, author and founder of Call Her Happy
“The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life is the first book of its kind. JoAnna has not only provided practical and concrete tools for working mothers everywhere, but she also speaks words of encouragement and inspiration that so many of us need to hear. This book is an excellent reminder that when God comes first, He gives us what we need to fulfill our mission both in our homes and in the workplace.”
—Deanna Johnston, MA, Director of Family Life at the St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization
“The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life by JoAnna Wahlund is a must-have resource for any mom employed outside the home. Combining both the spiritual and practical aspects of being a working mother facing the many challenges of a career, keeping a home, and raising holy and healthy children, she offers practical advice on finances, childcare, home management, prayer, fellowship, and many other choices working moms are faced with. Whether you are employed full-time, part-time, as a freelancer, or thinking about re-entering the work place after your children are older, this book offers straightforward tips and advice while keeping things real. This book is a welcome addition to any working woman’s library.”
—Mary Lenaburg, author of Be Brave in the Scared
“If you’ve ever felt alone or less-than as a working Catholic mother, The Catholic Working Mom’s Guide to Life is a must-read. JoAnna’s advice has been invaluable for me as I navigate this season of life myself.”
—Chloe Langr, Catholic author, blogger, and creator of Letters to Women podcast
“I can always count on JoAnna Wahlund to get to the meat of the issue, cutting to the heart of the matter with chapter and verse of supporting arguments from the Catechism, Holy Scripture, and the lives of the saints. Wahlund is so good at pointing us back to the Church’s love and shepherding in a logical, accessible, and heartfelt manner. I am honored to have my story included in its pages and I heartily recommend it to any woman — or man — who needs a guidance in discerning their vocation as a parent.”
—Amanda Martinez Beck, author of Lovely: How I Learned to Embrace the Body God Gave Me and co-host of the Fat & Faithful podcast
The Catholic Working Mom’s
Guide to Life
JoAnna Wahlund
Except where noted, the Scripture citations used in this work are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible — Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Edition), copyright © 1965, 1966, 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Every reasonable effort has been made to determine copyright holders of excerpted materials and to secure permissions as needed. If any copyrighted materials have been inadvertently used in this work without proper credit being given in one form or another, please notify Our Sunday Visitor in writing so that future printings of this work may be corrected accordingly.
Copyright © 2019 by JoAnna Wahlund
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