The first collection of poetry from Bunmi Laditan, bestselling author of Confessions of a Domestic Failure and creator of The Honest Toddler, capturing the honesty, rawness, sheer joy and total madness of motherhood. With the compassion and wit that have made her a social media sensation among mothers around the world, Bunmi Laditan puts into evocative and relatable words what so many of us feel but can’t quite express. For mothers who love their children with a fiery fierceness but know what it is to feel crushed at the end of those long days, Dear Mother is like a warm hug that says, “I get it.”
'Welcome to The Motherhood, my dear.' After her son was born, Jamila Rizvi felt isolated, exhausted and confused. While desperately in love with her new baby, the world she'd known had disappeared overnight and so had her sense of self. Jamila's salvation came in the form of a letter. A dear friend, Clare Bowditch – who had been there herself – wrote to tell Jamila she would get through this. Her comforting words reassured Jamila that she was seen, that she was supported and that she was not alone. Now Jamila wants to pay it forward to the next generation of new mothers. The Motherhood is a collection of letters from some of Australia’s favourite women, sharing what they wish they’d known about life with a newborn. Coming from writers with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, no two stories are alike – but all are generous, compassionate and deeply honest. As the old adage goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ – and it also takes a village to properly support a new mother. Here is your village. These sisters (with babes) in arms are here to share the joy, the fear, the love, the laughter, the tears and the frustration, and to hold your hand in the dark. Contributors include Zoë Foster Blake, Clementine Ford, Holly Wainwright, Clare Bowditch, Em Rusciano, and more. Together, they will give you the strength and courage to find your feet as a new mum. ______________________________________ 'All new mothers need to read this book . . . Bravo to these women who have bravely put themselves out there in the hope that their stories will help new mothers find the strength to push on through.' Books+Publishing
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Soon to be a Hulu Original series • The internationally acclaimed author of Wild collects the best of The Rumpus's Dear Sugar advice columns plus never-before-published pieces. Rich with humor and insight—and absolute honesty—this "wise and compassionate" (New York Times Book Review) book is a balm for everything life throws our way. Life can be hard: your lover cheats on you; you lose a family member; you can’t pay the bills—and it can be great: you’ve had the hottest sex of your life; you get that plum job; you muster the courage to write your novel. Sugar—the once-anonymous online columnist at The Rumpus, now revealed as Cheryl Strayed, author of the bestselling memoir Wild—is the person thousands turn to for advice.
In this intimate and moving graphic memoir, Teresa Wong writes and illustrates the story of her struggle with postpartum depression in the form of a letter to her daughter Scarlet. Equal parts heartbreaking and funny, Dear Scarlet perfectly captures the quiet desperation of those suffering from PPD and the profound feelings of inadequacy and loss. As Teresa grapples with her fears and anxieties and grasps at potential remedies, coping mechanisms, and her mother’s Chinese elixirs, we come to understand one woman's battle against the cruel dynamics of postpartum depression. Dear Scarlet is a poignant and deeply personal journey through the complexities of new motherhood, offering hope to those affected by PPD, as well as reassurance that they are not alone.
"Dear Barbara, Dear Lynne is a heartbreakingly tender story of the desire for parenthood and the deepening friendship between two women who have known each other only on paper." "Barbara Shulgold and Lynne Sipiora met through the mail when one of them responded to a desperate letter the other had written to Resolve, a newsletter for infertile couples. These two brave women, complete strangers, bound by their common struggle to have a baby, began a correspondence that fortified them through three years of infertility traumas and adoption struggles - relying on each other for the support and understanding only another woman could bring. At first tentative, later deeply loving, the letters are an astounding document of friendship and the journey to motherhood. Dear Barbara, Dear Lynne is a testimony to the human spirit, the power of shared travail, and the joy of finally holding one's face against the soft, sweet skin of a day-old infant."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Full-time FindingJoy.net blogger, speaker, marketer, podcaster, and single mom of seven, Rachel Marie Martin presents a rallying cry to anyone who believes the lie that she is "just a mom." Over the years, you willingly pour everything you have into your family, but in the process, you lose the essence of who you are. In her characteristic raw and visceral style, Rachel teaches you how to rewrite the pages of your story, follow your passion, and discover the beauty of who you are. Drawing on lessons from her own incredible journey--together with insight from conversations with thousands of other women--Rachel encourages moms to break cycles, take off masks, and prevent fear from taking control. She balances her "no excuses" approach with breathing room and grace for those messy moments in life and mothering. Rachel reminds you there is always a reason to hope, to move forward, and to dare the impossible. You can make changes. You can pursue dreams, find yourself, and live a life of deep happiness and boundless joy. Stop waiting for "someday." Take hold of the moment, and say yes to your dreams.
Dear Mama, Once a baby is born, so much of the focus and energy turns toward them. It's natural for all the books and chatter to be about the baby. But, Mama, this book is all about YOU. You matter, too, and these words are my love letter to you. I want you to know: Hard is normal (but that doesn't mean it's any less hard). Perfection is a myth (and it's a dangerous one). You matter (big time). You are not alone (we're all in the same boat). I hope you find comfort and relief in that what you're experiencing in this transition is actually pretty darn "normal." Hard, but normal. One big reason it's hard, perhaps the most misunderstood and unacknowledged reason, is new parents are in the process of becoming something new! The magazines and dominant culture narrative love to talk about when we're going "back." Getting our body back. Getting our life back. Back to our old selves. This idea implies that we're just ourselves but with a baby in tow. As if a baby just fits into this carved out little corner of our lives and everything goes on pretty much as normal. This is an absolutely absurd notion, and I think it's actually hurting us. Imagine how differently you'd think about your postpartum and transition to parenthood if our cultural story was about reinvention and redefinition of ourselves, rather than going back. This book serves to give you some new and different tools, resources, and ideas for your difficult journey of parenthood and reduce feelings of fear, shame, or guilt. My hope is, after reading these words you'll feel more loved, more valued, and know you are enough. There is nothing I say in this book that I say with greater conviction and certainty than this: you are worthy of love, grace, and compassion, and you are enough. With love, Amanda
"The thought of organising yourself to take your children out for the day more than once a week fills you with fear? You've purchased art and craft material but only begrudgingly allowed your children to take it out of the box once? Your idea of roleplay is to stick on a DVD and 'pretend we're at the cinema'? Then please grab yourself a cup of lukewarm tea, pull up any chair that is not covered in toys or mashed banana and realise that you are not alone. I am a slacker mum; I'm out and I'm proud."A humorous and touching collection of stories and short writing covering many aspects of motherhood from birth to the first day at school.Includes the poems: 'Dear Teacher'. 'Nine Months' and 'I was going to be . . .' as well as four new poems such as 'The Mum Olympics' and 'Weaning by Limerick.'The perfect collection for all the mothers who sometimes wonder if they're doing it right.
