Taking a Detour Book Review

Detoured: Navigating a Detour

Sometimes God blesses you with a message that fits perfectly with your season in life.  For anyone who is contemplating pursuing a dream or choosing a non-traditional path in life, Detoured: The Messy, Grace Filled Journey from Working Professional to Stay-at-Home Mom by Jen Babakhan, is an excellent addition to your summer reading list.  The book chronicles Babakhan’s transition from being a teacher to stay-at-home mother to author.  It is also part journal or devotional with helpful reflections and questions to ponder and pray over at the end of every chapter.  Babakhan is no stranger to navigating a fork in the road having already left a career as a marketing professional to become a teacher.  Detoured picks up as she is beginning a new chapter in her life as a stay-at-home mother.

Detoured: Leaving the Work World

Babakhan gives an honest portrayal of the range of emotions that come with a significant shift in life.  After striving to be the “perfect” stay-at-home mother, Babakhan describes her swing to the other end of the spectrum which included struggling to do the bare necessities to maintain her home.  While friends would praise her for being “lucky” since she did not have to work, she struggled with guilt and depression. Babakhan eventually began to pursue interests outside the home.  Even then, she felt God pulling her back when she did not wait on his timing.  After volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, Babakhan began to maintain her own blog and take on more writing projects, which eventually led to launching into a career as a writer.

Detoured: Chasing a Dream

Initially Detoured may seem like the perfect gift for the new mother in your life who has decided not to return to work, but the message goes deeper.  This book is also about the ups and downs of choosing a non-traditional path, the impact it can have on those around you, and being true to the subtle voice of God guiding you through the difficult choices.  For example, despite her desire to find a position working from home early on, Babakhan notes that she felt the lack of responses she received to her application was God telling her it was not yet time for her to return to work.  She also describes the guilt she felt watching her husband go out to work daily to support the family while she stayed at home. The reality of her decision to follow God meant that others may be inconvenienced.  She was blessed to have such an understanding support network.  Detoured is a useful guide for anyone who is navigating the myriad of emotions that come with changing seasons and paths in life.   
Resources

• Jen Babakhan’s Website
• Buy at Barnes & Noble
• Focus on the Family – Life Transitions

Detoured Official Book Description

Does having it all even exist? 
Former marketing executive turned third-grade teacher, Jen Babakhan never expected her transition to stay-at-home mom would bring feelings of grief and loss. She felt God was calling her to be home with her newborn son, and she wanted to be with him—yet she felt conflicted about giving up her career.

Detoured chronicles the often-bumpy path Jen took to contentment and peace in her new role at home.  She honestly shares the struggles and joys of being home, and the truth she uncovered about “having it all.”  She invites you to walk beside her on this journey and find:

• a new confidence and peace in your decision to place your career on hold
• an invitation to discover your true identity that has nothing to do with your job title
• a sense of community and the knowledge that you are not alone in your motherhood journey

Stay-at-home motherhood isn’t easy—but it can be the most beautiful detour you ever take.