When did being a good mom come to mean giving up everything that used to make you . . . you? That’s the question millions of 21st-century mothers grapple with every day as they muddle through our kid-centric culture. Contrary to incessant messaging, not always putting your kids first—not sacrificing your own free time, enjoyment, and dreams so your kids can have your full attention every day—is what makes for a good mother.
With How to Have a Kid and a Life, I share tips for being a happy, whole person while still being a wonderful (and sometimes just good enough, which is plenty good) parent. The book blends my own stories of surviving the seismic challenges of becoming a parent with testimonials from stay-at-home and working moms; interviews with therapists and researchers; and findings from the latest studies on happiness, self-care, and parenthood. What it delivers is a wonderfully irreverent survival guide to motherhood.
Here, you’ll find advice on keeping your career on track while parenting, handling clueless and unhelpful partners, taking back ownership of your body, creating a reliable village of support (even with moms you didn’t think you’d like), staying connected with child-free friends, and what to do if you feel like you’re missing the “mom gene.”
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“A brilliant book for any woman out there who is feeling alone, isolated, or overwhelmed with too much to do. It is a must-read guide that will help you understand how we got here, how to take back control of your life, and, most importantly, that you are not alone.”
New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live)
“Parenting is arguably the most high-stakes, high-pressure, high-reward endeavor one human being can embark upon. Now, Ericka Sóuter has tapped into the often difficult-to-navigate world of being a parent and a person at the same time, and she does it in a frank, relatable, no-nonsense way. There is something for everyone in here: I laughed, I cried, and I learned. Thank you, Ericka!”
Mom and ABC News chief medical correspondent
“Everything you need to know about Ericka Sóuter’s tenacity, compassion, and humor as a working mom can be summed up this way: she wrote this amazing book during the pandemic . . . and while potty training. Her empathetic voice, no-B.S. advice, and guilt-relieving research are an arm around your shoulder. Take comfort.”
Author and founder of The Fifth Trimester
“Good Morning America parenting expert Ericka Souter is here to help us frantic, busy moms learn how to do it. Not only does Ericka share her own experience, but she taps into expert advice from therapists, happiness experts, parenting gurus, and many, many other parents. Her advice, all told with a wink and a nod, is absolutely essential.”
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“Imagine needing a whole book to feel okay about skipping the bedtime routine every once in awhile to grab a drink with a girlfriend. But here we are in 2022, when women are not considered “good moms” unless we live our entire lives in service to our children. But mom deserves that drink! Cheers to journalist Ericka Sóuter for this book, packed full of interviews with experts and therapists (as well as stories about her own journey to finding balance) to help moms not feel so guilty about hiring that babysitter and stepping away once in awhile.”
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“Good Morning America parenting expert Ericka Souter is here to help us frantic, busy moms learn how to do it. Not only does Ericka share her own experience, but she taps into expert advice from therapists, happiness experts, parenting gurus, and many, many other parents. Her advice, all told with a wink and a nod, is absolutely essential.“
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Toxic friendships don’t end with childhood—they follow us into adulthood, impacting not only how we relate to others but how we guide our daughters through their own social worlds. Sugar and Spice and Not So Nice is a powerful parenthood guide that helps women recognize toxic dynamics in their own friendships and teaches them how to help their daughters avoid the same pitfalls.
From playground bullies to workplace drama, this book offers real-life strategies for escaping the emotional chaos of mean girl culture, healing from its effects, and building a circle of friends who truly uplift and support. Through insightful lessons, it shows how to model healthy boundaries, protect your well-being, and encourage your daughter to walk away from disrespect and drama before it takes root in her life.
Packed with wisdom and backed by research, Sugar and Spice and Not So Nice is the ultimate guide for mothers raising confident daughters who value themselves and their relationships. It empowers both women and girls to break free from toxic ties and create friendships based on trust, kindness, and mutual respect.
Ericka Sóuter is the author of How to Have a Kid and a Life: A Survival Guide. She frequently appears on Good Morning America, Nightline and other national broadcasts to discuss the latest issues affecting parents, kids and families.
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