What does being a "good mother" mean anyway? How has your perception changed from before to after you had kids? Moms put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect, to live up to our own lofty expectations. This collection of heartfelt essays from moms who have been there encourage and inspire us to give ourselves grace and helps us realistically redefine what being a "good mother" means for our family in this season of life.
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Armchair BEA – My 3 Favorite Short Story Collections about Motherhood #ArmchairBEA

armchair-bea
Design from Amber of http://www.shelfnotes.com

This week, I’m concentrating on my love of books and joining other book lovers in Armchair BEA, the online version of the Book Expo of America. Today, Armchair BEA participants are discussing stories in the short form, anthologies or novellas. Here’s the “official” writing prompt:

Now it is time to give a little love to those little stories in your life. Share your love for your favorite shorts of any form. What is a short story or novella that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves? Recommend to readers what shorts you would recommend they start with. How about listing some short story anthologies based upon genres or authors?

 

My Top 3 Favorite Short Story Collections about Motherhood

 

If you’ve been around my blog, you might know that I am a stay-at-home mom of 3 highly active and adorable boys. They inspire me, make me realize things I’d never know I was capable of and tire.me.out. As many fun and magical moments as there are, there are twice as many indescribably gross, sticky, messy moments too. Sometimes you wanna just cry and sometimes, well, you just gotta laugh about it. But most mothers can relate to the hard work and incredible love that comes with being a mom.

 

Today, I’d like to share with you my top 3 favorite short story collections about motherhood. The best thing about these books is that every mother can relate to one of these stories. No one is alone, someone out there understands and these moms, well, they cover all the bases.

 

The Good Mother Myth

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Ever felt like you weren’t a good enough mother? Like you couldn’t keep up with the career-climbing mom? the married mom? the PTA mom? the Soccer Mom? the Supermom? Moms in all seasons of life, occupations and lifestyles come together in this collection to debunk what “the good mother” is. “The Good Mother” is a figment of our own imagination and expectations. Their stories helped me realize to not be so hard on myself. Their stories will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and frustrated right along with them.

 

Read my full review of The Good Mother Myth here.

Purchase The Good Mother Myth from Amazon here: Kindle /Paperback

 

I Just Want to Pee Alone

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Ever thought “I Just Want to Pee Alone”? I certainly have! This short story collection about motherhood had me laughing out loud. Written by some of my favorite mom bloggers, again the stories are relatable, sometimes embarassing but all pretty darn funny. In the midst of the chaos, ya just gotta laugh.

 

Read my full review of I Just Want to Pee Alone here (along with some of my favorite quotes).

Purchase from Amazon here: KindlePaperback

 

The Mother of All Meltdowns

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Ever had a mommy meltdown? What set you off? Whether a big or little thing, these moms share their candid stories about what set them in motion for a mommy meltdown. Tantrums aren’t just for kids in this book. Sometimes funny, sometimes scary and sometimes man, I’m so glad that did NOT happen to me (trust me, you’ll know which story I’m talking about there if you read it), but always heartfelt, heartwarming and honest.

 

Read my Mother of All Meltdowns full review here and my interview with one of the blogger authors, Lisa Weatherspoon of The Golden Spoons here.

Purchase from Amazon here: Kindle / Paperback

 

 

Besides these short story collections about motherhood, the only other short stories I really loved was The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes that I read for my Classics Club challenge. I do really enjoy short story collections because they are so easy to read, put down and pick back up again without forgetting plot, characters, etc. Perfect for busy people who want to sneak some reading into their days!

If you are new to my site, please be sure to leave me a comment and link up 3 of your favorite posts with our Small Victories Sunday Linkup that’s open all week long!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support to cover my blog expenses if you decide to purchase.

What are your favorite short story collections or novellas? Any other books that are quick, easy reads? I love hearing from you so drop me a comment and let’s discuss!

13 Comments

  1. I think I read your review of The Good Mother Myth…I need to add that to my summer reading list! It sounds so good, and just what this mom needs!

    Thank you for including The Mother of All Meltdowns on your list! 🙂

  2. I have not read a lot of books or stories about motherhood because, well, I don’t relate. Yes, I was a pre-k teacher and I love kids to death and many things I totally get, but some of it- like kids walking in on you in the bathroom or going on road trips with more kids than adults- I’m like *crickets*. But it is nice sometimes when you can read about motherhood and get it even though you haven’t experienced it yet. Those are the stories I like the best – bringing you more understanding of a foreign concept!

  3. I think being a mom is great. The fact that these books offer moms of different seasons commenting on what we all deal with in a funny is great! Sometimes you need to laugh before you cry in the midst of it all!

  4. I was at home for nine years, but I am SOOOOO much happier working. I am a school librarian, so the summer’s are not my favorite. Have you read Erma Bombeck? Don’t think we can assume that everyone has anymore, since she’s been gone for 20 years. But I adore her work; things like If Life’s a Bowl of Cherries, Why am I in the Pits? I also used to read a lot of memoirs of women at home from the 1950s, and those were interesting, too. Have fun with Armchair BEA!

    1. I worked outside the home for 12 years as a mom and I’m soooo much happier at home, it’s actually improved my health 🙂 As an accountant/auditor, work days were challenging which I didn’t mind but didn’t like politics and people’s perceptions of me as the bad guy before I even asked anything. I have not read Erma Bombeck and know my mom was a big fan. I do need to read her book. You’ve just reminded me that I read Nora Ephron’s I Feel Bad About My Neck which was very funny too. Love these short, sweet doses of laughter. Thanks for recommending Bombeck!

    1. Thanks Brenda! It is great being a mom, hardest, most rewarding job ever! So glad you shared your short story/novella post with our Small Victories Sunday linky!

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