Description
For fans of the witty and evocative writing of Anne Helen Petersen and Amanda Montell, a sharply clever exploration of what it means to be a bad mom by delving into the world of momfluencers, stage moms, trad wives, and more.
We all have an idea what it means to be a good mom: little screen time, kids hitting their milestones, endless patience and understanding, and self-sacrifice on behalf of ones children. But what does it mean to be a bad mom in modern society? Women as wide-ranging as Meghan Markle, Hannah Neelman (of Ballerina Farm), and anyone giving birth over forty, have been labeled bad moms. In a world where the rules are constantly changing, it feels like women simply cannot win.
With this in mind, in her first book, Ej Dickson takes a sharp, provocative look at one of societys most polarizing labels: the bad mom. What makes a mother bad, and why? Through the lens of pop culture and American history, Ej Dickson explores how this trope has evolvedfrom Victorian angels in the house to the infamous Mommie Dearest, from Instagram influencers like EmRata and Mormon momfluencers to fictional icons like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Each chapter dives into a different archetype of so-called bad motherhoodlike the Stage Mom, the Tiger Mom, the MILF, the MLM hunchallenging us to rethink our assumptions about femininity, parenting, and societal expectations. Drawing on insightful analysis and interviews, Dickson unpacks why our culture is obsessed with vilifying moms and how issues of race and class shape these narratives. Are bad moms truly bad, or do they simply defy norms we dont fully understandor fear?
This isnt just cultural commentaryits a clarion call. Because if we really take a close look, we might find that some of the women weve reviled throughout history are due for a reassessment and in doing so, moms today may take some much-needed pressure off themselves. One Bad Mother invites moms everywhere to stop chasing impossible standards, reclaim their autonomy, and maybejust maybeenjoy motherhood for what it is, not what its supposed to be.
Thoughtful, eye-opening, and downright funny at times, One Bad Mother is a vital exploration of modern motherhood.
Author: Ej Dickson
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: S&s/Simon Element
Published: 02/10/2026
Pages: 352
Weight: 0.83lbs
Size: 8.38h x 5.50w x 0.67d
ISBN: 9781668051115
Language: English
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