Lessons: Reflections on Early Motherhood

I don’t normally write reviews (bad, I know) but I loved this book. It made me cry so much, but in a good way. I have a 9 month old who is just a dream. But looking after a brand new human has caused me so much anxiety, stress, so many weird feelings in general! loneliness and isolation. But this book has made me know that it’s OK and normal - and hopefully I’ll return to being ‘me’ again one day. Honestly, I could have written every page. Would 100% recommend to any new mum struggling.

Accessible but elegantly written, compassionate without condescension, full of the vulnerability and humility of true, hard-won wisdom. This book documents the early years of transition into motherhood, or ‘matrescence’, tenderly and from a very personal perspective, which paradoxically creates something with a remarkably universal appeal.I particularly enjoyed the immediacy of a parent’s-eye view of the pandemic, and as such it would be a great buy right now for anyone who has been a parent through this strange time, although this is clearly a book with a long-lasting appeal, an instant classic.I bought this as a present for someone on their baby’s 1st birthday, or, as I like to think of it, their own 1st newborn mumday. And I think it’s the perfect congratulatory hug for the end of that first tumultuous year of keeping a child alive! It would be great for the earlier days too – it’s the perfect size to hold in one hand while feeding a baby, once you’ve mastered it enough to have one free hand! During those early days we are all going to be making our own mistakes and learning our own unique lessons; here is a friendly voice that says “You are not alone in your aloneness. There are loads of us” while leaving space for us all to find out our own way that’s right for us – an antidote to all those How To manuals for new parents. The tone is sensitively tentative, but the fresh, confident literary voice is shot through with the authority we gain from meeting the trials of motherhood.If you’re thinking of buying someone What Mothers Do (Especially When It Looks Like Nothing) by Naomi Stadlen, this is a gem of a companion – up close and personal, neither smug maternal perfection nor mummy mis-lit, just honest, respectful, and warm. With an unfiltered sincerity and zero pandering to any supposed audience, (of the sort I suspect a mainstream publisher might have clumsily imposed,) this simply sends out a message in a bottle to newborn mothers everywhere, each on our own little lonely paradise island. Truly extraordinary and beautiful.

I love this book! I’ve been addicted to Karen’s writing since discovering her poetry a few months ago. The warmth in her words is like a big comforting hug to all new mums and parents just finding their way. I find myself folding page after page to re-read and re-read as I come to face the same challenges she did. This book should be issued to all new mums along with nipple cream and dairy milk bars.

Reading this book during my first year of motherhood and lockdown has been like getting a huge hug. I had it on my side table and would pick it up every so often and read as many little sections as my baby allowed. Every time it brought tears to my eyes, I felt so heard. Karen has the ability to articulate the complex and conflicting feelings of motherhood so perfectly and so beautifully. I bought it for one of my mum friends for Christmas and she loves it too. It should be in every new mum’s “toolkit” and I’ll definitely be buying it for the next new mum I know.

This lovely book of personal and profound observations on early motherhood is like a great big hug in book form. Like sitting down for a cuppa with a lovely friend. It’s beautifully written, reassuringly honest and will bring comfort and joy to new mums in equal measure. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

Loved this book a snapshot of real motherhood, this book made me realise despite feeling alone on my journey so many of us feel the same! A read that made me believe in my self again and taught me not to be so tough on my ability. Thank you to the author for speaking about the unspoken side of new motherhood.

I absolutely love this book. I have now bought and read both of Karen's books (this and Mother Truths), and they're so perfect for mothers. I use poems from the Mother Truths book in my parent and baby classes and the mums always comment on how real, lovely and funny they are. I can't wait to start sharing extracts from this book too.

A great book, that perfectly describes the high & lows of those early years. An emotional, yet funny read (simultaneous tears & smiles)!!