this book enabled me to dive deeper into self reflection and an ability to deepen my understanding of motherly roles and desires. i couldn't recommend this book enough to any woman out there, ones's struggling with loved ones or even those who want to appreciate the relationships they currently hold. 10/10 i will be re-reading this quite often.

Liked some of these better than others. My favorites were Thesmophoria and Her Body/ My Body. Will definitely read more by those authors.

I think I’m gonna write an essay inspired by this. So much to think about, the mother and mother wound. My biggest complaint abt these essays/stories is that so many of them center around the father, and the mother is only seen/written in reaction to the father. Isnt that the way it always fucking is. Makes me angry. But real. And often it’s bc of the father that the mother is that way. Some children try to imagine her as her own person, but it’s too sad.

Relationships with our mothers, or any parent really are so complex. Really enjoyed these personal and vulnerable essays.

Breathtaking. A must read for all mothers, daughters, and writers.

Dnf’d a few essays in. A couple were interesting/insightful but majority of them read like long, mediocre diary entries

Finished faster than anticipated! It’s like if you pulled 15 people into one room and asked them to spill the beans on their life stories related to their mom. Some narratives, I had a difficult time determining how their mother was involved. Other stories will stick with me for the rest of my life! I feel extremely validated in certain areas.

After reading this, I’m not 100 percent sure that I want children. Hopefully, I create safe spaces filled with love for them, however as a parent you can try your best. Yet, there’s a chance that your best won’t be good enough or what your child needs.
Lots to unpack. Mom’s are amazing, good moms are necessary. I hope I do a good job, if that time comes.

As with most books of essays by different authors, this was hit or miss. It was definitely an interesting selection representing many different types of relationships (from super tight-knit/loving to abusive/estranged and what most of us experience which is something in between). Didn't pack as much of a punch as I wanted it to, but a few were really interesting-- I did appreciate how some of the writers really captured how complicated and singular our relationships with our mothers are. Thought it was weird to end with the essay by the writer who had the most unequivocally positive relationship with their mom since the focus of the book was on how inevitably fraught 99% of us find our mother/child relationships.