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A Feeling of Community
Notes From Motherland: The Wild Adventures of Raising Humans is a heartfelt collection of essays capturing the rollercoaster that is motherhood. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It is easy to feel isolated and alone on the motherhood journey. This book is important because it gives voice to the wide variety of experiences people have as they approach motherhood and while on the path itself. I wanted a resource for people that spoke not only to the joy but to the myriad other feelings people have. Sadly, people often find it difficult to find places to express their more vulnerable feelings about such a common thing as being a mother. My hope is that this collection provides a place for people to get a look into the breadth of feeling and experience that accompanies motherhood, that they find a sisterhood, and they the feel less alone.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
That there is not just one “valid” experience of or approach to motherhood, that we are all different and bring different things to the journey and experience of motherhood. Again, my hope is that people find this to be a supportive, informative resource. It’s not a “how to” resource but one that hopefully engenders a feeling of community.
How did you decide what to include and leave out in your collection of essays?
We invited a variety of authors to share their experiences and reflections and it was their choice what to share. So we did not hand-pick the topics or experiences that were offered.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your anthology?
I hope readers take away a sense of inclusion, support, and hope that they are not strange or bad or alone in their mothering or in their perhaps ambivalent feelings about the experience. Motherhood is SO complex. I think it is unreasonable to expect people to only feel joy and yet the cultural message that is often delivered is that there is something wrong with us if we have less than happy feelings about it.
Chris Chandler Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Sierra Melcher Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Through laughter and tears, these women reflect on the lessons learned, the bonds formed, and the growth experienced through motherhood. Each story is a testament to the strength, resilience, and love that defines the mother-child relationship.
Notes from Motherland is a celebration of the universal joys and challenges of motherhood, offering insight, support, and inspiration to mothers everywhere. Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned parent, or simply curious about the complexities of motherhood, this anthology is sure to resonate with you. Join these women as they share their stories, reminding us all of the beauty and chaos that comes with raising humans.
Coauthors:
- Chris Chandler
- Jennifer Rhode
- Sandi Phinney
- Audra Romeo
- Sierra Lynn Riddle
- JoEllen Leigh Irizarry
- Jessica Stokes
- Erika Hull
- Brandee Melcher
- Ashley Wize
- Reah Hagues
- Rena McDonald
- Frances Trejo-lay
- Sierra Melcher
Notes from Motherland: The Wild Adventure of Raising Humans
Notes From Motherland: The Wild Adventures of Raising Humans is a heartfelt collection of essays capturing the rollercoaster that is motherhood. A tapestry of emotions, struggles, and triumphs, the book offers a raw and honest glimpse into the complex journey of parenting. Each story is a window into the wild world of raising humans, exploring themes from pregnancy expectations and the messiness of motherhood to the bittersweet experience of watching your children leave the nest. It’s a celebration of vulnerability, a testament to the resilience of mothers, and a nod to the universal challenges of nurturing life.
What I loved most about this book is its unflinching honesty. Chris Chandler’s essay, “Leaving the Nest,” captures that sense of raw anxiety and bittersweet freedom when a parent prepares to let their children fly on their own. Her metaphor of hawk parents fiercely protecting their young before they learn to soar perfectly encapsulates that protective instinct mixed with the sadness of separation. I felt Chandler’s pain and uncertainty, the aching yet hopeful anticipation as her sons set off into the world. It was relatable and had me nodding in agreement, thinking about all the messy and conflicted feelings parents experience. The writing was beautiful yet unpretentious, and that emotional punch stayed with me.
Then there’s Sierra Melcher’s “Mother Magic,” which almost feels like a love letter to motherhood. The way she describes those magical, mundane moments, like her child’s blueberry-stained smile or the sleepy snuggles of early morning, made me smile and ache with nostalgia. Melcher beautifully captures the paradox of wanting to savor every moment while knowing that change is inevitable. It’s poetic and deeply immersive, yet she keeps it grounded. Her reflections on raising a child in a foreign land and experiencing every day as an adventure added an extra layer of intrigue. The imagery and sensory details pulled me into her world, making even the simplest events feel significant.
This book is for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of parenthood. It’s messy, poignant, and beautiful. The stories are varied, with each writer bringing a fresh perspective and their unique voice, which keeps the book engaging. I’d recommend Notes From Motherland to anyone craving a deep and emotional read that doesn’t sugarcoat the hardships of raising humans but celebrates the joy and lessons along the way.
Pages: 172 | ASIN : B0CZPNYFYT
LITERARY TITAN 