Honest Motherhood

On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself

By: Libby Ward

Narrated by: Libby Ward

An unflinchingly honest and disarmingly funny memoir from an exhausted mom who broke under the pressure to do it all, faced her past, found herself in the rubble, and then paved her way out by telling the truth—and learned to let go of perfection and just serve the dang chicken nuggets.

"Libby is shifting the cultural narrative in a way that will echo for generations. Honest Motherhood is a powerful blend of truth-telling and rebellion—a rallying cry for women to stop carrying what was never theirs to hold." —Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play

When Libby Ward became a mother at twenty-six, she thought she was prepared. Determined to give her kids a childhood different from her own, she clung to the world’s “shoulds” like her children's future depended on it. That was her first mistake.

A couple years later, with a toddler around her ankle, a needy baby in her arms, and silent rage coursing through her veins, Libby began to unravel. Struggling to manage the unrelenting and often unspoken expectations of mothering, she did what any overfunctioning people-pleaser would do—she wallowed in shame. Then, she tried harder. Self-care! Boundaries! Sleep when the baby sleeps! But as Libby’s body and mind began to push back, Libby wondered: Why, with so much information and advice at our fingertips, is motherhood still so impossibly hard?

In Honest Motherhood, Libby candidly shares her journey of unlearning the myth of the ideal mother. She dives headfirst into the experiences many mothers have but few feel safe enough to say out loud—the lack of support, the guilt, the invisibility, the cycles they’re breaking, and the fantasies about a hospital stay just to get a flippin’ break. Libby untangles her social conditioning from learned trauma responses and discovers that letting go of unrealistic standards, asking for help, and prioritizing herself aren’t failures—they’re necessities.

Equal parts memoir and manifesto, flush with refreshing takeaways, Honest Motherhood is a rallying cry for moms to let go of perfection, choose themselves, and give their kids what they need most—a mother who is present and whole.

Inspiration Through Honesty

A refreshing cool drink of water of a book! Loved hearing her tell her stories, making readers laugh, cry and relate to every bit!

"I could choose me without neglecting them."

Libby talks real life, even when it is ugly. I'm not the only one battling a difficult childhood with no village to speak of, trying to piece together my own quilt of support. Her vulnerability to share so much that resonates so deeply, made me feel less alone. If you are not a mother, this book is a true glimpse of all the tangled feelings and unrealistic expectations experienced in motherhood. If you are a mom, tuck in to feeling less alone and more "normal" with your humanity.

One of my new favorite books

I’ve followed Libby on social media for years and her book exceeded my expectations. She is a gifted story-teller in the way she weaves her story together, from childhood, to early motherhood, to parenting through the middle years. It is a honest look at the challenges of modern motherhood — and a raw reflection of how our early years shape our parenting experience… AND how it is possible to write our own story, despite the limitations placed on us. I laughed, I cried, I related a LOT. I am so grateful to Libby for this book! (Edited to add that I wrote this review under my husband’s audible account… ah, the patriarchy! ~Nicole)

Validating and Engaging

Libby really helped me to remember that I'm not alone in my overwhelm and big, heavy feelings about motherhood. I really needed this and I know so many other mothers who do, too. FANTASTIC READ.

The best. Just the best!

Libby gives detailed descriptions about her life that are so relatable. I feel so seen as an overwhelmed working mom with childhood trauma. Even more importantly, she describes her path toward healing and becoming whole in a way that gives me hope for myself. Thank you for sharing your story, Libby!