Motherhood Studies

In this anthology of creative nonfiction, 28 writers set out to discover what they know, and don't know, about the person they call Mother. Celebrated writers Samia Serageldin and Lee Smith have curated a diverse and insightful collection that challenges stereotypes about mothers and expands our notions of motherhood in the South. The mothers in these essays were shaped, for good and bad, by the economic and political crosswinds of their time.

An activist calls for better support of young families so they can thrive and reflects on her experiences as a Black mother and college student fighting for opportunities for herself and her child. Pregnant Girl presents the possibility of a different future for young mothers - one of success and stability - in the midst of the dismal statistics that dominate the national conversation.

Part memoir, part popular science, and part social commentary, Bottled Up probes breastfeeding politics through the lens of Barston’s own experiences as well as those of the women she has met through her popular blog, The Fearless Formula Feeder. Incorporating expert opinions, medical literature, and popular media into a pithy, often wry narrative, Barston offers a corrective to our infatuation with the breast. Impassioned, well-reasoned, and thoroughly researched, Bottled Up asks us to think with more nuance and compassion about whether breastfeeding should remain the holy grail of good parenthood.

This is the story of one of Church history's most revered women, the godly mother of John and Charles Wesley. This biography recounts the story of a woman who used her strong leadership and faith to raise well educated and spiritually disciplined children. Her unwavering devotion to God and family in the face of grief, poverty, and a sometimes difficult marriage is a tremendous inspiration.

Ho quarant'anni e spicci e non ho figli. Non li ho, e non ne voglio. Sono una childfree, cioè senza figli, che è diverso da childless, priva di figli. Una scelta versus una casualità. C'è stato un tempo in cui ero convinta che la mia vita avrebbe avuto senso solo quando avrei avuto dei figli. O almeno ero convinta di crederlo... Venivo circondata, o meglio, assediata senza via di scampo, dalle gravidanze di sorelle, cugine, cognate, nipoti, amiche, amiche delle amiche. Se non hai un figlio, nella tua vita di donna, cos'hai?

Millennial moms: You’ve survived pregnancy, and now you have a newborn baby and you’re entering your first year of newborn care. What’s next? Deep Breaths: The New Mom’s Handbook to Your Baby’s First Year is Michelle Pearson’s debut book. In her newborn baby book, this YouTube mom of five details what to expect during pregnancy, what to expect during the first year of motherhood, and much much more.

If Mama Goes South, We're All Going with Her looks at five biblical principles from Galatians for overcoming problems that weigh women down and dilute their influence on others. What does it really look like to "not grow weary in well doing"? Am I really making a difference? Why do I feel alone? These questions, and more, are touched upon with splashes of humor and plenty of personal depth.

Find solace and strength through prayer. No matter how far our culture has come, we will never be able to shed the idea that women are primarily responsible for parenting their children. This obligation leaves women and mothers exhausted and burdened. Society urges them not to worry about their mothering job, while offering no tangible advice or measures customized to a mother's individual circumstances and requirements.

Heartwarming and humorous, this tribute to moms of the world gathers the best things anyone ever said about motherhood. From Dolly Parton to Dear Abby, women (and a few men) crack wise on the subject of the center of every family, mommie dearest!