Ontario author and content creator Libby Ward is encouraging women to stop chasing perfection and start giving themselves more grace through her debut book Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself.
Ward built a large online following through candid discussions about parenting, mental health and the realities of modern motherhood, topics she says many women quietly struggle with behind the scenes.
Her new book expands on those conversations through a collection of personal stories exploring guilt, ADHD, people pleasing, burnout and the emotional load many mothers carry every day.
Ward says one of the biggest ideas behind the book is challenging what she calls the “myth of the ideal mother.”
Author Libby Ward explains.
Ward says modern mothers are often overwhelmed by endless parenting advice and pressure to perfectly balance parenting, relationships, careers and personal well being.
Originally, the book was meant to focus more heavily on research and social issues surrounding motherhood, but Ward says she realized readers connected most deeply with honest storytelling and lived experience.
Author Libby Ward tells us more.
The final result became a collection of shorter, accessible chapters designed specifically for busy parents who may only have a few moments at a time to read.
Ward also intentionally used humour throughout the book, even while discussing difficult and deeply personal topics, saying laughter can help people process experiences and feel more connected.
She says her biggest hope is that readers stop comparing themselves to unrealistic standards and begin trusting their own experiences instead.
Honest Motherhood has since reached The Globe and Mail bestseller list and is available through bookstores, online retailers and audiobook platforms, with Ward narrating the audiobook herself.
(Written by: Jeremy Hall)
