Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

No More Perfect Moms: Learn to Love Your Real Life

Rate this book
ECPA Bestseller! Over 140 5-star reviews!

If you have ever forgotten to pick up your kids, accidentally worn two different shoes to the grocery store, or lost your cool over a messy house, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
In No More Perfect Moms, Jill Savage says it how it All moms struggle. We fall short of our own standard of excellence, and then we feel insecure about not being the perfect wife with the perfect kids, perfect husband, perfect home, perfect friends, perfect marriage, and perfect body...
Jill speaks to the root of the insecurities mothers feel and points to a better way. 
No More Perfect Moms will help a
With refreshing honesty, Jill exposes some of her own parental shortcomings and helps mothers everywhere shelve their desires for perfection and embrace God's beautiful grace. When moms do this, they can learn to love their real but imperfect lives.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2013

63 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read

About the author

Jill Savage

41 books98 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
262 (40%)
4 stars
219 (33%)
3 stars
139 (21%)
2 stars
29 (4%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for midnightfaerie.
2,274 reviews132 followers
October 29, 2015
A book with some good advice and a little meat to it, but on the whole a bit cheezy for me. I think the point the book is trying to get at, was a lesson I learned long ago and don't struggle with as much anymore. Most of the advice was things I already knew and so it didn't affect me as much as some other readers. I'm not saying, though, that this book isn't a good read for a struggling mom. It has great advice, and if you haven't heard it before it will probably really touch you. I've come across other books like this that have impacted me more, but only because I was going through something similar at the time. 1000 Gifts by Anne Voskamp was one of those books for me. This wasn't, but it might be for you.
3 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2016
I love this book! It has changed how I see my life. This book has helped me understand that most women struggle in the same areas that I do with the "perfection infection". I feel like I have been freed from so many lies that women tend to believe. This book is a blessing for any woman!! I have given my copy to 5 other woman. They all have said how blessed they have been by this amazing book! Thank you Jill!
Profile Image for Simply Helping Him.
2 reviews
January 26, 2013
Becoming a mother was a dream I’ve had since childhood. I couldn’t wait for the day I became a mom.
I’m now the mother of a 2 lil blessings, ages 9 and 7. They truly are the light in my days, as well as the struggle of my days.
I dreamed I would have THE home, THE kids, and THE marriage. You know the type….clean and beautiful home, giggling and obedient kiddos, a husband that made my knees weak.
The problem is that we are comparing ourselves, to the made up and scripted lives in the movies; maybe even to others around us that LOOK LIKE they have it all together. It may LOOK LIKE other moms/women has it all together, but they really don’t. They have their own struggles, they might not be just like our own, but they have them just the same. They might be able to hide it better; I know you can read my face like a book.
Jill’s book is for every single woman, not just the mothers. We, as women struggle with comparing ourselves to each other. It is not healthy in any way, and doesn’t do anyone any good. She gets down to the nitty gritty, covering topics women of all ages and stages of life can connect with.
I highly recommend Jill’s book to every single woman, be ready to be convicted and have a heart ready for change before you open the cover!
Profile Image for Crystal Swafford.
423 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2015
perfect book for me!

As a mom of two preschoolers with a full-time job outside the home, I am very busy. I also have considered myself a perfectionist for as long as I can remember. I've been struggling with this thought lately that "I can't do it all". That thought has been tormenting me to the point of dissatisfaction with myself. This book provided me some help where needed (not all of it applied). Where it was useful, it really hit home. There are a couple chapters that I didn't like: the final chapter because I have theological issues with minor details and the " mommy manners" section because it is WAY legalistic and out of context for the purpose of the book. In fact, there were a couple of the "manners" that really infuriated me. Then at the end of the section, it wasn't even tidied up with something like " but give grace to any mommies not following manners like these you perceive".

Overall though, this was a great book to help me with my perfectionist problem. I have some great tips now and a new perspective to look at life. I recommend this book to all my mommy friends!
Profile Image for Tracy.
2,812 reviews18 followers
November 12, 2015
Our church just started a "Busy Moms Book Club" that posts on FB and this was the first selection that we read. I initially wasn't going to read it, but a friend who was reading it said that she was enjoying it and that we could read at our own pace, so I signed up. It was a great reminder that we need to not compare ourselves or our lives to others and to put God first.
Profile Image for Bobbi.
147 reviews6 followers
September 12, 2023
If you struggle with perfectionism, read this book! I could relate to just about everything she talked about and found it incredibly encouraging.
Profile Image for J. Else.
Author 7 books116 followers
January 26, 2014
I’m the mother of a 2 children, ages 10 and 7. They are the light in my days as well as the struggle of my days. They could not be more polar opposites. Their storms rage against each other often and upset the balance I try to keep to feel I'm doing things "right." This is the beginnings of the "perfection infection," trying to make things line up perfectly in a row to validate my mothering skills. The "perfection infection" is everywhere! Its probably one of the most contagious illnesses a mom can contract. It can get you at any age or stage. It can come and go again and again. Thank you, Jill Savage, for writing a book. Thank you for the encouragement and lessons within these pages. Each chapter is like a breath of fresh air.

"Feelings breathe, they are fluid, and they don't always tell us the truth." -- Chapter 5, "No More Perfect Marriages"

I think one of my favorite ideas presented is something we all do and never really realized how incorrect it was. When you look at facebook, pinterest, Christmas letters and think how perfect that family looks -- what you are seeing is their outsides. Its a parade of their best. And who wouldn't want to brag now and then? But I'm comparing it to my insides. I must face my internal struggles daily, the difficulties I have with cooking, keeping a clean house, etc., and its not something I would post on facebook or in a Christmas letter. So why am I comparing my internal difficulties to other people's external photographs? What a truth to latch on to and unlock so much stress.

"Confidence comes from defining ourselves as God sees us: forgiven, loved, valuable, and filled with hope and promise. We're not perfect, but we are in the process of being perfected... Carry your God'fidence with you..." -- Chapter 6,"No More Perfect Friends"

This book points out how beautiful and messy motherhood is. But it also forces you to look inside yourself and the wrong things you do as well. From judging other moms to not forgiving our own mistakes. This book is like a warm hug letting you know its okay. When we re-focus and see our struggles in a different light, then we can actually see gifts God is giving us each day. He is building us up, bringing us closer to him, and longing to direct our steps. This book reminds us to trust God.

"We need perspective that the moment we are in is just as important as the moment we planned on that didn't happen the way we thought it would... When we don't value the moment we are in as much as the one we planned, we'll miss out on precious time with those we love." -- Chapter 7,"No More Perfect Days"

This book not only gives confidence but also helpful tips. It doesn't end with a "ready, set, go!" Its gives you a springboard to keep building up her advice. From becoming a "yes" mom to changing those unrealistic expectations into realistic hopes to accepting the reality of my life. Mrs. Savage even includes helpful appendices to remind us how God sees us and to show us places in the Bible we can turn to when we're feeling all different emotions. Feeling defeated, depressed, guilty, worthless? God has something to say about that, and Mrs. Savage gives you the keys to open those doors.

"We are on a journey to make peace with real life." -- Chapter 8, "No More Perfect Homes"

So where am I going from here? I'm going to lose my pride, fear, judgement, comparisons, agendas, and performances. I'm going to be honest, change my expectations, and combat this infection with humility, confidence, and grace. None of us are alone. We are among friends!
Profile Image for Lora.
21 reviews15 followers
February 9, 2013
I have spent this last month reading this wonderful book. It has been completely freeing and life-changing for me.

There is so much pressure these days to be the perfect mom. It comes from everywhere. We can catch the "perfection infection" every time we're on Facebook seeing those pictures of other moms looking so thin, taking expensive vacations with their families, buying a beautiful new home. We are prone to catch it when we read inspiring blogs by other moms who seemingly have it so together. It's practically contagious when we click on Pinterest and see all of those lovely rooms and spaces that we wish we had in our own homes or all of that photo-perfect food that we wish we had the ability to cook for our families and friends. And what about when we're around fellow moms at our churches, our children's schools, our homeschool groups or playgroups?

I have to be honest. I have felt so incredibly {self}condemned by fellow homeschool moms at times. We all want to have those well-behaved children that everyone brags on everywhere they go. We all want to have the smartest and brightest children, the ones who are grades ahead and will probably go to college early. It's much harder to talk to other moms about the problems you're having with your children. To discuss that you might have to get your son tested for adhd and that no matter what you try your daughter just struggles with math. No, we want to put on that good front and put that positive spin on life. We would never admit to succumbing to tears of frustration and failure nearly every single day.

This book touches all areas of our lives: our kids, bodies, marriages, friends, days, homes and homemaking. Then in the end Jill reminds us that a "real picture of motherhood would include: no expectations, no pride, no fear, no insecurity, no judgment, no comparisons, no agenda, no performing, no more perfect moms ....just imperfect moms partnering with a perfect God."

Some of my favorite parts of this book are in the very back. Jill shares an incredible list of "Who I am in God's eyes" that is so powerful. And there's also her challenge to "Knock It Off: Stop the Mommy Wars" where she calls us to stop our judgmental attitudes and talk about other moms. Very convicting stuff there.

So as you can tell, I HIGHLY recommend this book for moms!! Really all women can benefit from this book, because these are things that nearly all women struggle with.
Profile Image for Chantel.
187 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2025
I struggled with 2 or 3 stars on this one. The premise was good - eliminating the perfection infection that Pinterest and Instagram cause moms - but I had many issues
1) lots of cherry picking verses - therefore making the book theologically unsound. There are better books out there based in scripture. If we throw the faith aspect out the book held better merit
2) but one theological area I couldn’t ignore was the repeated mantra of “don’t judge”. We are not to judge in the sense that we condemn or exact punishment on another believer - but should we not sharpen iron? If we see another mom leading her family away from the truth of Gods commands, are we to chalk it up to “ehh we are all different! Don’t judge!” Absolutely not! We are called to hold other believers lovingly accountable. And this was a BIG hang up for me.
3) I also found a lot of the advice erring on the side of laziness. While trying to dispel the perfection infection she leaned heavily to different aspects of hot mess mom culture. Now no single piece of advice would produce a lazy mom leading her family astray - BUT if a mom who had a propensity towards sloth like behavior, they may very well hang onto every single “easy button” piece of advice given and then be stuck as the sluggard and fool that proverbs warns against.
4) I found the book very superficial. Cute stories, sprigs of Jesus and just shallow advice. Don’t take things so seriously, don’t you know! But friends, motherhood IS serious. We aren’t called to be perfect. By NO means am I saying that - but we are called to allow the Holy Spirit to make us closer to HOLY. We have been granted the great privilege of discipling these children who are loaned to us by our great God. No we aren’t supposed to be perfect. But we are supposed to take it seriously. Don’t Mom Alone would probably be a better read if you need GRACE but not an easy train ticket.
Profile Image for Jeff Bobin.
928 reviews13 followers
May 26, 2013
Every mom should read this book!

Do you find yourself looking at other moms and wishing you could be like them? Have the things they have, children that are like theirs, or a home that you imagine is perfect? How often do you find yourself not wanted others to know about parts of your life because you are afraid you will not measure up in their eyes?

If you answered yes to any of those questions you need to read this book. Written from the heart with stories the tell of the struggle of her own with wanting to hide part of her life and the blessings of sharing the journey with others. You will find yourself laughing, crying and it might even make you angry as it seems she is living in your house. I found myself reading several sections to my wife and thought of her many other times with a smile on my face. As a pastor I see these stories told over and over again and often by think that no one else would understand what they are going through.

The desire to have the perfect home, perfect kids, perfect body and so many other perfections causes discontent with the real homes, kids, bodies and husbands in life. Someone once advised Jill to “never compare your insides to someone else’s outside” and I thought that was great advice. When you are competing against the actor with the mask on you will often come up short.

The challenge for all of us is to see ourselves as God sees us and not in the way we fear or perceive others see us. Our goal should be to look at what God has created us to be and to learn to rejoice in becoming all God wants us to be.

Jill will help you see that you are not alone as you may feel on this journey called motherhood and invite you the freedom found in living for God rather than the praise of others.

I would also recommend this for pastors or others that are helping mothers see themselves as God sees them.
Profile Image for Sarah Poling.
540 reviews
January 23, 2013
Have you fallen prey to the perfection infection? Do you need the antidote to this ugly disease? I encourage you to seek the cure for the mom comparison game. It not only shares real stories of imperfect moments, but helped me see “our imperfect lives are counter balanced with a perfect God.” It lead me to be honest about my emotions. To seek the One true source of perfection who challenges me to see myself through His eyes, and recognize that the Bible is my guide. “You were taught to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires… and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” Ephesians 4:22-24.

The book focused on: God’s love and grace as the source of strength for becoming who He designed me to be. It challenged me to embrace humility, confidence and grace rather than pride, insecurity and judgment and to recognize that when I seek to be the ‘perfect mom’: I am comparing my insides to other people’s outsides or to media that is airbrushed to perfection. It encourages me to share authentically with others that life is imperfect. But it’s okay to embrace the imperfect as the character building life God has given me and pushes me to LOVE it!

As a believer, I love that Jill’s wisdom was authentic and biblical. She gave practical advice and you feel like she’s having a cup of tea, chatting with you as you read her thoughts and you wonder, how does she know me so well? A great book for women to rethink life and love every moment of it!

It's a fast, easy read, and combines insight from many books in one place!
Profile Image for Kendra Neal.
1,785 reviews48 followers
October 31, 2013
I have NEVER been soo encouraged when reading a book as I was with "No More Perfect Moms".

The encouragement came in the form of Validation! Validation you say??? YES! I used to strive to "be perfect" in the sight of others(mainly family) in fear of that if I wasn't doing things the way they expected me to that I would be "outcast". A couple years ago I let go of that fear and started doing things according to how I felt lead by God. I felt such a relief when I began not worrying about being "PERFECT" in the eyes of others. The way I do things for myself, my husband, my boys, my household, is soo diffrent then the way others do in their households. I was soo encouraged as I kept reading through "No More Perfect Moms" because Jill writes so much about what I have been trying to do over the couple of years. I really enjoyed the part of being a "YES Mom". How often do you want to tell your kids NO they can't do something in fear of a mess being made, others thinking "Wow she let her kids do that" or just because you didn't feel like it? I give my boys FREEDOM, as much as possible within safety reasons, and I allow them to enjoy themselves. I also stopped trying so hard to have the "PERFECT" house. I realized with being the only female in our home, there won't be a "PERFECT" home for a good long while. If someone wants to complain that my house doesn't meet their standards, let them clean! I don't mind the mess as then it is proof that we are enjoying our home!

I highly recommend this book for all Moms!! Moms need to know that they don't have to "prove anything" to anyone and they just need to be themselves!
Profile Image for Kristin.
Author 3 books45 followers
February 13, 2013
We run late because sometimes getting kids – or even a kid! – to move in a timely fashion is like herding cats. We clean up spills. Sickness interrupts our plan for the day. We have misunderstandings with the people we love most. The dishes fill the sink and the dirty clothes await their turn in the washer then the dryer.

Then while dealing with our daily lives, we start comparing and organizing and planning and expecting more than is realistically possible for ourselves, our husbands, our kids, and our friends.

This Perfection Infection, as Jill Savage calls it, needs to stop. Savage tells true tales that give readers practical advice on how to find freedom in reality while entrusting every detail of our lives to God. She discusses how to love your real life without perfect kids, bodies, marriages, friends, days and homes.

As a mom of two kids 5 and younger, I appreciated the way Jill Savage took real-life examples from her own mothering experience and stories friends have shared with her to help me remember I’m not the only mom who has tried too hard, reacted too emotionally, wondered what I should do, and struggled to let go.

If you're a mom who has ever felt exhausted, stressed, anxious, overworked, insecure, unsure, or busy {OK, so, any mom, really ...}, this book could be the perfect start to embracing your imperfect life.
Profile Image for Melissa Heerboth.
31 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2013
I've never read a book by Jill Savage before but, I plan on reading more of them. She is a Christian writer and uses Bible verses and Christian views so, if you are against that, you may not like it. That being said, I liked how she makes you see that there are no perfect mom's. There's only that idea in your head. You can't play the "comparison" game with other mom's, kid's, families. Don't compare your insides to someone else's outsides. You don't know their struggles. I've never agreed with mom's judging other mom's on how they raise their children, keep their houses, etc. What works for one family isn't going to work for another. We are all unique and should be embracing one another, helping one another and respecting one another. It shows you how noones kids are perfect and help you realize you are NOT the only ONE going through things (believe me, that helps me more then anything!) It goes into marriages as well and how each one is different.

The main message is what I like. Again, Don't compare your insides to someone's outsides, you don't know what their life is like just by looking at them.

I recommend this book. I read it at a good point in what is going on my life and it helps to know that you're not the only one going through things.
Profile Image for IrenesBookReviews.
1,039 reviews28 followers
April 11, 2013
Wow what a powerful book for all mothers to read and learn from! The author, Jill Savage, has written other great books but this one is by far her best one yet! I gave this book 5/5 stars. There are many examples and illustrations that will make you laugh and even some that will bring a tear to your eye. They are each perfect for the topic the author is discussing. Every mom should read this book and then go out and buy all their mom friends the book! I thought the author did an excellent job of showing all moms that no one is perfect and we all just do the best we can! I would recommend this book for every mother, no matter what age your children are!

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.
Profile Image for Tristi Carlson.
6 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2013
No More Perfect Moms is a breath of fresh air for every woman. Jill Savage encourages us to throw off the masquerade masks and get real! Through her advice to add a little grace to our honesty, we'll find our relationships growing deeper and richer. In this book, you'll find your broken heart uplifted, encouragement for your weary soul and realignment of your thoughts to what truly matters. No More Perfect Moms is a book I am recommending to everyone I know! "[Our] differences are designed to complement one another, not cause us to compete with one another! We need to learn from other moms, but not compare ourselves to them."
5 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2013
This one is a keeper. I'll have to reference it often to remind myself (Weekly!)I'm not perfect and that is ok. How can I make a better life for my kids without anxiety about making messes or mistakes or accidents. Blowing bubbles in the house.... Being silly.... Eating PB &J for dinner.... It's all OK. I'll still plan my monthly menu and at least try to keep up the laundry, some of that will help my sanity, but I won't worry about what someone would think if I had dust bunnies and overflowing baskets of clothes to fold when they visited... Because I am not perfect and that is ok. What a good book, a great message for any mom at any stage.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
Author 2 books21 followers
March 12, 2013
What I liked the most about this book were the different examples that showed varying perspectives of the same situation. It can be hard to put yourself in others' shoes, but when you do, it can really help in understanding your relationships with other people. The "Perfection Infection" as Jill calls it is a disease and if more of us moms tried to cure it, we would all have such better relationships, and not just with each other, but with our husband, kids and others we come in contact with. A definite must read!
Profile Image for Just a person .
994 reviews288 followers
July 22, 2013
Really gave me some good perspectives on parenting. I was expecting perfection from myself and my little girl and it wasn't fair to either of us. It also spoke to me more about my battle to stop comparing myself to others. I am basing those comparisons, my messy insides, to the snap shot of someone's life, their outsides.
Profile Image for Lisa.
21 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2014
This book will probably be the best book that I read in 2014. It is about so much more than parenting. It addresses the issues of comparison, grace, humility, expectations and exchanging perfection for reality. We do not need to lower our expectations but CHANGE them. This book has done more for my mental health than anything I've read in a log time.
1,888 reviews
February 28, 2017
Wonderfully Realistic Book on Motherhood

Jill Savage had written an engaging and inspiring book on motherhood. The conversational style of the book made me feel as though I was sitting at her kitchen table listening to her talk. I love how real she is in the book. It is true that there are "No More Perfect Moms".

I definitely recommend reading this book.
Profile Image for Pathway Midland.
142 reviews6 followers
March 5, 2013
Jill takes an honest look at moms and the "Perfection Infection" we tend to give ourselves. From our kids, to our bodies, to our marriages, to our homes, Jill lays out the "Perfection Infection" issue in each area and then gives the "antidote" - a very applicable, hands-on solution!
Profile Image for Brenda Wharton.
870 reviews6 followers
May 9, 2015
Fantastic book on the perfection infection and how moms today need to stop heading the perfect house, perfect kids, perfect marriage... Etc... And step back and realize those things don't really exist
Profile Image for Betsy.
7 reviews
March 10, 2015
This is the second time that I have read this book and it was just as fabulous this time around as two years ago. Such an enlightening book to help moms embrace their real life rather than staying trapped in comparison or perfectionism.
Profile Image for Kim.
157 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2013
Who doesn't need a book to help put "perfect mothering" in to perspective? I love the way the author is so relatable and gives me great things to think about in every area of my life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.