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Reflections on motherhood
Motherhood is transformation, and these insightful books reflect that.
Veröffentlicht am 10. Mai 2023
#IMomSoHard
Kristin HensleyBeing a mom is hard: The world wants you to present a picture-perfect family when you haven’t had a shower in days and you talk way too much about bodily fluids. This is not a self-help book or a parenting guide; it’s a hilarious collection of all-too-relatable moments, experiences, and momism. Hensley and Smedley, creators of the web series “#IMomSoHard,” will have you laughing at — and laughing off — the stresses of parenthood.
I Just Want to Pee Alone
Some Kickass Mom BloggersAs this essay collection makes clear, there’s no experience as equally challenging and funny as motherhood. These stories about mothering mishaps, mayhem, and triumphs — brought to you by a bunch of mom bloggers — are for any mother who has ever wished to pee in peace (literally every mother).
The World Deserves My Children
Natasha LeggeroLeggero, an actress and comedian, brings her signature humor to the world of motherhood, from “geriatric” parenting (she gave birth at 42) to reproducing despite climate change — lest we leave the next generation to science deniers. Whether you have children, want children, or love your childfree status, this memoir is relatable to all who’ve experienced the trials and tribulations of being imperfectly human.
In the Country of Women: A Memoir
Susan StraightThey say it takes a village to raise a child, and for Straight that village is her extended family and the lessons passed down from her ancestors. Addressed to her biracial daughters, the author lovingly walks through their extensive family history, focusing on the defiant triumphs of women despite setbacks due to gender, race, and class. This memoir is an ode to families of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.
Mother Daughter Me
Katie Hafner“Mother Daughter Me” is a personal experiment in multi-generational living and confronting one’s past. Hafner, her teenage daughter Zoë, and Hafner’s mother, Helen, move in together, forcing Hafner to come to terms with her traumatizing childhood, including her mother’s alcoholism. The raw honesty in this memoir is food for any mother’s soul, but especially those who’ve experienced fraught relationships with their own mothers and don’t want to continue the cycle.
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America (Mother's Day Gift, Book about Being a Black Mom)
Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America (Mother's Day Gift, Book about Being a Black Mom)
Nefertiti AustinWhen Austin decided to adopt, she experienced first-hand how motherhood is associated with whiteness, and how adoption, like most institutions in America, is historically intertwined with racism and classism. This memoir is a vital addition to literature on motherhood, addressing prevalent issues that usually go overlooked in parenting resources.
A Life's Work: On Becoming a Mother
Rachel CuskWhen you’re sick of sugar-coated depictions of the joys of motherhood, Cusk’s memoir may make you feel seen. Divisive upon its publication over 20 years ago, “A Life’s Work” chronicles first-time motherhood with unflinching honesty, exploring loss of identity and other painful challenges women face after giving birth.
The Moms Are Not Alright: Inside America's New Parenting Crisis
Anne Helen Petersen“I’m tired and scared and anxious and unmotivated and proud and grateful and desperately sad and hopeless,” says one of the many mothers interviewed by culture writer Petersen (“Can’t Even”) for this Scribd Original. The raw stories these moms share about their experiences raising children during the chaos of the pandemic are eye-opening, moving, and reassuring.
Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy
Angela GarbesFlying in the face of traditional guides (which are often outdated and can be judgmental), Garbes weaves her personal experiences with scientific deep-dives to explain what’s really happening in women’s bodies during pregnancy and post-pregnancy. “Like a Mother” is consoling for expectant mothers and clarifying for any and all moms (and dads).
To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma
Molly Millwood, PhDMillwood uses her experience as a clinical psychologist and a mother to help readers navigate the many changes and challenges of motherhood, which extend far beyond the postpartum period. “To Have and to Hold” specifically addresses how having children affects the relationship dynamics between parents, particularly since there’s virtually always a heavier burden placed on mothers than fathers. Millwood’s insight is validating and encouraging, and her advice is actionable.
It. Goes. So. Fast.: The Year of No Do-Overs
Mary Louise KellyThis is for any parent who has struggled to find the balance between family time and career aspirations. NPR reporter Kelly kept telling herself that next year she’d prioritize taking her son to soccer over interviewing high-profile public figures for “All Things Considered,” but those plans didn’t pan out. Kelly’s poignant reminiscences of moments missed and goals reached strike close to home.
Mamaste: Discover a More Authentic, Balanced, and Joyful Motherhood from Within
Lori BregmanIn our highly curated lives, there’s pressure to always be perfect, or at least to seem perfect. But “Mamaste” encourages you to be your authentic self and embrace the tougher parts of motherhood. Using a mix of yoga and other health advice, this book provides all the mamas out there with the keys to happiness.
Founding Mothers
Cokie RobertsWe’ve read plenty about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the like. “Founding Mothers” is an engrossing history about the American Revolutionary War that illuminates how women helped found a fledgling nation. It’s a much-needed text to balance out the 50 million biographies about the Founding Fathers (give or take).
Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age
Mary PipherThis one is for all the empty nesters out there. Whether your kid has just gone off to college or you’re currently a grandmother, societal expectations around older women tend to be particularly cruel. As your identity shifts, psychologist Pipher can help you navigate the rough patches, empowering you to thrive in all stages of life.
Persist
Elizabeth WarrenSenator Elizabeth Warren (presidential candidate and feminist icon) attributes having childcare as one main reason for her success. In other words, she understands the ups and downs of motherhood in a very real way. In this memoir, written and narrated by Warren, she speaks in detail about motherhood, childcare, and other personal and political concerns, offering unique insight into one of the most influential women in modern history.