I know free time, especially time to read, is probably in short supply for you these days. If and when there is time to spare, it always feels like there are a million and one things to do – laundry, cleaning, meal prep, etc., right?
However, if you have a little extra time I encourage you to take some for yourself and read one of these book recommendations! During naptime and once the kids go to bed, I’ve recently found that reading a good book is so much more enjoyable and often more helpful too, than watching something on television or mindlessly scrolling through social media.
Some of these books share tales of motherhood, while others give helpful tips and advice. The one thing they all have in common though is that they’re all relatable to any mother, or really any parent for that matter. I found so many of them made me feel better about myself as a mother, offered helpful solutions, and kept me laughing about only the things a parent would understand.
I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have and maybe even pick up some helpful tips in the process!
Mommy Must Reads
The Magic of Motherhood: by Ashlee Gadd – Well written, short stories about all aspects of motherhood – from pregnancy and adoption to life with littles and everything in between. While you’re at it, check out the blog Coffee + Crumbs, which inspired the book. This book will have you laughing, crying and sympathizing right along with the writers.
The Sh*t No One Tells You: by Dawn Dais – A humorous book, sharing the things no one tends to tell you before having children. It was a quick and easy read that kept me laughing throughout nap time.
The Mommy Group: by Elizabeth Isadora Gold – Tales of a Moms Group from NYC, which covers a wide array of topics relatable to any mother – breast pumps, no sleep, relationships with your spouse, etc. It was both a funny and honest portrayal of parenthood today and you’re sure to connect with any of the mothers in the group.
The Happiest Mommy You Know: by Genevieve Shaw Brown – ABC News reporter, Genevieve Shaw Brown, examines what would happen if you treated yourself with the care you treat your children? What if you fed yourself the foods you feed your children, instead of eating leftovers off of their plates? What if you made going to bed at a reasonable time a priority? What if you made time for your own playdates, i.e. times to go out with your girlfriends or spouse? You might just become the happiest mommy you know!
A Simplified Life: by Emily Ley – Full of tips, tricks and good advice, Emily helps you simplify areas of your life like meal planning, wardrobe and financials and who doesn’t need that!?! I’ve re-read this book several times and always find a new tip to help simplify things in my household.
More Than Happy: by Serena B. Miller – Serena examines the life and upbringing of Amish children in Southern Ohio and why they are generally so well behaved. She also gives suggestions of what we, non-Amish, can do to raise our children in with a similar outcome. This was surprisingly one of my favorites!
You’re Doing a Great Job!: by Biz Ellis and Theresa Thorn – For the mom (or dad) who might be having a tough time parenting and feel like they’re making a mistake at every corner. This is a super quick read, which shares 100 funny ways you’re totally winning! It made me think “you know what, I am an AWESOME mom!” on those days when I yell at my kids, feed them cereal for dinner and let them watch way too much TV.
Mommy Burnout: by Sheryl Ziegler – Every parent goes through phases where they’ve just had enough, right? If you find yourself currently in this position, this book will help you identify parenthood stressors and ways to solve them. I found this book especially helpful after I had my second child and still use some of Sheryl’s advice to keep my sanity as a SAHM.
Do you have a favorite Mommy must read? If so, I’d love for you to share it below!
