You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom: So Embrace the Chaos, Get Over the Guilt, and Be True to You

by Leslie Anne Bruce

Overview

A much-needed voice of encouragement for every woman who had a baby and lost her mind

Sometimes, motherhood feels never-ending. A child is born, chaos ensues, and it seems like life will never return to normal.

In You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom, award-winning journalist and Instagram star Leslie Anne Bruce acknowledges that, yes, motherhood is a total mind f*ck—but then she offers the self-empowerment lessons new mothers need to get through the psychic upheaval and emerge stronger than ever. After childbirth, a woman's body, her relationships, and her very sense of self are tested like never before. Bruce encourages readers to look past the sugarcoated truisms about the miracles of child-rearing in order to embrace the real joys of motherhood, spit-up stains and all.

Loaded with unfettered support from a mom who has been through it all, You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom offers a lifeline of encouragement, inspiration, and community for the new mama who got a baby, lost her mind, and desperately wants to find herself again.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580058902
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	09/10/2019
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	321,399
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Leslie Anne Bruce is a five-time New York Times bestselling coauthor/ghostwriter and an award-winning entertainment journalist, formerly of Us Weekly and the Hollywood Reporter. She is the founder and editor in chief of Unpacified, an online community for like-minded women to discuss motherhood through an unfiltered, judgment-free lens of honesty and humor. She lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

Letter to the Reader 1

1 Everyone Lied 7

2 The Birth of a Mother 17

3 You Were Not Prepared for This: The Postpartum Rite of Passage 31

4 But It Looks So Easy on Instagram 55

5 Things Might Suck for a While 67

6 Birds of a Feather Pee Their Pants Together: Finding Your Mom Tribe 85

7 You Won't Actually Get a Divorce (Probably) 97

8 There Is No / in Motherhood: Surrendering to Your Postpartum Identity Crisis 113

9 How You Feed Your Baby Is Not Up for Public Debate. Period. 125

10 When a Good Cry Becomes a Tsunami 143

11 Not Sleeping is the Enemy: Tools for Saving Your Sanity 159

12 "Lean In" to High-Waisted Denim: Learning to Love Your Mom Bod 177

13 Shame Over: Turning Off the Outside Noise 189

14 No, You Cannot Do It All: Rewiring How You Value Success 199

15 You're Not Causing Permanent Damage: The Daily Struggle with Mom Guilt 211

16 A Selfish Mom Is an Awesome Mom 223

17 Motherhood Doesn't Come with an Epidural 233

Editorial Reviews

"For those of us who were shocked to discover that modern motherhood is a den of insanity, Leslie Bruce is a lifeline."

 —Jill Smokler, New York Times bestselling author and creator of Scary Mommy

"Finally, a mom who doesn't claim motherhood is all unicorns pooping glittery rainbows. Moms needthis book."

 —Karen Alpert, New York Times bestselling author of I Heart My Little A-Holes

"I can't think of anyone better suited than Leslie to write a book on the first months of parenting. She is refreshingly honest, non-judgmental and always hilarious. And as a first time parent, I can tell you that sometimes you really need to laugh . . . so that you don't cry."
 —Lauren Conrad, designer, New York Times bestselling author, and mama

"[An] uplifting read about embracing the chaos of motherhood and being true to yourself while raising your brood."—Us Weekly

"Leslie Bruce's central thesis is one that many women in today's 'have it all' world will feel like a punch to the gut. Fortunately, Bruce also happens to be f*cking hilarious, which makes her book not only an important read, but also a phenomenally fun one."
 —Jordan Reid, author of The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People

"Honesty-what a fabulous and rare thing that is today. You'll find it in abundance in Leslie Bruce's raw, real, laugh-out-loud account of what becoming a mother is really all about. This book is the stuff you don't see on Instagram. This is a must-read for any new mother."
 —Raegan Moya-Jones, author of What It Takes and founder of aden + anais

"Both laugh-out-loud hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt, Leslie Bruce is the no-BS, tell-it-like-it-is online BFF every mom needs while navigating those treacherous early parenting years. Whether it's chronicling what mothers think (but dare not say) or sharing warts-and-all #momfail peeks at the reality of life with a toddler on her addictive Instagram feed, Leslie Bruce's razor-sharp wit and sorely needed honesty are always bright spots in my day."
 —Nadine Courtney, author of All American-Muslim Girl

"Leslie is truthful, funny, and transparent without being over-the-top. Her stories are raw without being negative. We can adore our babies and motherhood, and still have bad days. Leslie encourages women to be open and I find it very empowering!"
 —Hannah Taylor, co-founder of The Little Market

"Leslie Anne Bruce is the mom friend I never knew I needed. With a rare combination of generous spirit and cutting humor, she strips away the clichés of motherhood and teaches us how to survive the raw, real thing."
 —Lydia Fitzpatrick, author of Lights All Night Long

From the Publisher

Aimed at moms who blame themselves for the chaos that children bring into their lives, this audio will free tortured souls. Part of its winning formula is that Leslie Bruce’s writing is as authentic as writing can be. She’s a faithful observer of not just her personal experience but also the cultural landscape, the one that blames mothers, and women more generally, for any discomfort they feel. As an audio, her familiar cadences and fearless intimacy are highly effective; she sounds like someone you know, trust, and believe. Her use of tough language and blunt imagery enhances the audio’s “don’t blame yourself” message. Her uncensored reactions and venting offer tangible examples of how mothers can accept and express their feelings instead of silently judging themselves. T.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2020 - AudioFile

Aimed at moms who blame themselves for the chaos that children bring into their lives, this audio will free tortured souls. Part of its winning formula is that Leslie Bruce’s writing is as authentic as writing can be. She’s a faithful observer of not just her personal experience but also the cultural landscape, the one that blames mothers, and women more generally, for any discomfort they feel. As an audio, her familiar cadences and fearless intimacy are highly effective; she sounds like someone you know, trust, and believe. Her use of tough language and blunt imagery enhances the audio’s “don’t blame yourself” message. Her uncensored reactions and venting offer tangible examples of how mothers can accept and express their feelings instead of silently judging themselves. T.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2020 - AudioFile