Your Mom-Identity Crisis, Solved—6 Must-Read Books for Moms, Recommended by Morgan and Blair of 'Moms Actually'
Hey Ma! We know that this motherhood journey is not a sprint—it's a marathon. And guess what? In this race, you're not just responsible for keeping your kids hydrated and on course—you've got to find ways to take care of yourself too. Between late-night feedings, Zoom meetings, and keeping up with social media (What?! We all do it), we’re spread thin. And it’s not enough for us to just get by. We want to thrive—for ourselves and for our family.
As moms who have been running this marathon and have learned a few things along the way, we know that sometimes you need more than just instinct and (unsolicited) advice from well-meaning relatives. That's why we’ve rounded up a list of books that keep it real about parenting. This list is special because the books aren’t just solely focused on our roles as parents, but also as women who are balancing multiple roles—all while trying not to drop the ball.
These books are as much guides to self-preservation as they are guides to raising well-adjusted kids. And, don’t forget to drop the mom guilt when you take some time to sit back and read these. You’re not just doing it for yourself, you're doing it for them too.
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6 Best Books for Moms
Without further ado, here are 6 books that keep it 100 when it comes to parenting, motherhood and womanhood.
Radical Parenting by Brad Blanton
Brad Blanton offers a different approach to parenting by encouraging open and brutally honest communication and authentic expression between parents and children. This was a refreshing read, and can open the mind of a mom looking to break away from the conventional parenting advice that often comes with societal expectations and pressures. For moms who may be struggling with complexity traps and contradictions of motherhood, this book provides an alternative perspective that challenges the norms and encourages them to embrace their own parenting style without guilt. Trust us, you'll want to high-five Brad Blanton after reading it!
The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody
This is a funny, straight-shooting book for moms navigating the transition back to work after maternity leave. The book addresses the least talked about trimester, "fifth trimester.” The fifth trimester is when working moms head back to the 9-5 grind while still mastering the art of diaper changes and midnight feeds. Lauren Smith Brody provides actionable advice on balancing a career with motherhood and covers practical topics like childcare, workplace flexibility, and emotional well-being. For a mom who is juggling work along with caring for a new baby, this books offer insights and strategies to make that transition smoother and more manageable.
More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth
This book is a powerful reminder that you don’t lose yourself when you become a mom; you evolve. The book touches on themes of self-worth, identity, and claiming one's space in a world filled with conflicting expectations. Moms are known to juggle multiple roles — caregiver, career woman, partner, and more — while facing the sometimes unrealistic societal pressures that come with each. The book has so many insights into navigating the complexities of motherhood and serves as a reminder that as women, we are more than enough just as we are. This book has been a big source of inspiration and affirmation for us!
(Un)Qualified: How God Uses Broken People to Do Big Things by Steven Furtick
While this book is not strictly about womanhood or motherhood, its core message will deeply resonate with moms. Motherhood often comes with the fear of being "unqualified" to handle the complexities of raising a child, balancing family life, and often, managing a career. The book takes on the universal feeling of inadequacy among the societal pressures to be the 'perfect’ parent. Who knows a mom that isn’t dealing with those feelings?! We were left encouraged to embrace our imperfections and to see them as qualifications for grace.
Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the #*$& Just Happened) by Kelly Rowland
Talk about a sanity-saver!! This book is raw, it’s real, and it tells you you're not alone when you're knee-deep in baby chaos. This book truly has the most honest depiction of pregnancy, birth and postpartum that we have read to date. It covers everything that comes with having a baby, from physical changes to emotional shifts. The book candidly addresses the often unspoken challenges new mothers face. For a mom who might be feeling alone or confused by the complexities of motherhood, this book feels like a conversation with a friend who has been there and done that while - with no judgment - assuring her that she's not alone.
The New Contented Little Baby Book by Gina Ford
This just may be your new-mom manifesto. Gina gives a very structured approach to baby care, especially when it comes to establishing routines for feeding and sleeping. The ultimate goal of this book is to help your baby sleep through the night at an early age and while keeping to a schedule that helps you manage feeding schedules, naps, and more. While the approach may not be for everyone and a couple of things are outdated (giving babies sips of water?!), but for moms who find comfort and peace in having a set routine or for moms that had a hard time getting their first baby to sleep well, this book offers a framework that can help alleviate some of the unpredictability and overwhelming moments that often comes with new motherhood.
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Just like Moms Actually, which aims to hold space for vulnerable and authentic conversations about motherhood and womanhood, these books offer multiple perspectives that will help you redefine the expectations of motherhood in your life while you rediscover yourself in the process.
You can't be the best mom unless you're the best YOU. So take some me-time, pick one (or all!) of these books, and remember: You’ve got this, Mama!
Next: Maria Menounos Shares the Unbelievable Sign She Saw Right Before She Became a Mom
Courtesy Moms Actually
Moms Actually is a podcast, digital platform and community where motherhood meets sisterhood. Through the platform, Blair Gyamfi and Morgan Taylor are working to redefine society's toxic expectations of motherhood and help mothers reclaim their pre-mom identity. Learn more here: momsactually.com
