Australia's favourite women share what they wish they'd known about life with a newborn, in this funny, moving collection edited by Jamila Rizvi
Book Category
Parenting
Book Description
'Welcome to The Motherhood, my dear.'
After her son was born, Jamila Rizvi felt isolated, exhausted and confused. While desperately in love with her new baby, the world she'd known had disappeared overnight and so had her sense of self.
Jamila's salvation came in the form of a letter. A dear friend, Clare Bowditch – who had been there herself – wrote to tell Jamila she would get through this. Her comforting words reassured Jamila that she was seen, that she was supported and that she was not alone.
Now Jamila wants to pay it forward to the next generation of new mothers. The Motherhood is a collection of letters from some of Australia’s favourite women, sharing what they wish they’d known about life with a newborn. Coming from writers with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, no two stories are alike – but all are generous, compassionate and deeply honest.
As the old adage goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ – and it also takes a village to properly support a new mother. Here is your village. These sisters (with babes) in arms are here to share the joy, the fear, the love, the laughter, the tears and the frustration, and to hold your hand in the dark.
Together, they will give you the strength and courage to find your feet as a new mum.
'All new mothers need to read this book . . . Bravo to these women who have bravely put themselves out there in the hope that their stories will help new mothers find the strength to push on through.'
When should you read this book
Read this at any stage through pregnancy and newborn phase.
Reviews
“
All new mothers need to read this book—when they have time, of course, and are not insanely tired, which is a long shot. However, it is no exaggeration to say this book has something for everyone. In The Motherhood, more than 30 women, including Clare Bowditch, Clementine Ford, Rebecca Sparrow, Jo Stanley and Em Rusciano, relay their gutsy accounts of being a new mum by writing letters to their former selves. Numerous topics are covered, from mastitis woes, the breastmilk versus bottle debate, body image, postnatal depression and nasty nurses. They are the kind of issues that aren’t discussed in much detail before you give birth.
The Motherhood shows that hindsight is indeed a wonderful—and useful—thing.” - Kelly Haydon.
Book Details
288 Pages
Paperpack
Written by
Jamila Rizvi
Jamila Rizvi is the author of the bestselling
Not Just Lucky, a career manifesto for millennial women, and
The Motherhood, an anthology of letters about life with a newborn. Jamila is Editor-at-Large of the Nine Network’s
Future Women, host of their podcast
Future Women Weekly and weekly columnist for the
Sydney Morning Herald and
The Age. She is also a regular commentator on
The Project,
Today,
The Drum and
Q and A, and an occasional host on
ABC Radio Melbourne.Jamila is the co-founder of the popular event series
Tea with Jam and Clare, which attracts an audience of thousands each year. She previously worked in politics for the Rudd and Gillard Governments, advising on issues including media, women, childcare and employment. Jamila is an Ambassador for CARE Australia and board member of the Melbourne Writers’ Festival. Jamila has been named as one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review. She lives in Melbourne with her husband Jeremy, son Rafi and many loads of clean but regrettably unfolded washing.