Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans

by Sheinelle Jones

From the beloved TODAY show host Sheinelle Jones comes an inspiring collection of heartfelt life-lessons from hard working moms who raised some of our favorite celebrities.

When Sheinelle Jones launched "Through Mom's Eyes," a recurring TODAY show segment interviewing celebrities' mothers about raising successful kids, she had an ulterior motive—she wanted to bring all their wisdom to bear on raising her own three children. So she asked Lin-Manuel Miranda's mom about staying present with kids while working multiple demanding jobs, talked with Lady Gaga's mom about how to recognize bullying, and got tips from Steph Curry's mom on making sure even future NBA royalty does the dishes. She has since interviewed dozens of remarkable women, and then taken their advice home and tried it out on her own family. The an extraordinarily candid, warm, and insightful collection of wisdom that has taught Sheinelle valuable lessons about life, love, and parenthood.

    Now in her first book, Through Mom’s Eyes, Sheinelle is ready to share even more of those life-changing secrets (along with her own experiences and stories) with the world. By combining behind-the-scenes insights from top celebrity mothers—such as the moms of Matthew McConaughey, Serena and Venus Williams, and Padma Lakshmi—with her own tales from the trenches of modern parenting, Sheinelle reveals how to make it through the hard parts of motherhood and still tap into the joys of it with empathy, generosity, and solidarity. Part parenting guide, part insight into the rich and famous, and all heart, Through Mom’s Eyes is a beautiful celebration of those who are the guiding light for their loved ones—mothers.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2026

Reviews

[Mary Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Tribute To Mothers!
Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Through Mom’s Eyes by Sheinelle Jones in exchange for a honest review.I have been a big fan of Sheinelle’s from her time on Philadelphia’s morning news to her time now on Today and the Jenna and Sheinelle. She has always been a quiet, calming voice of strength even through the loss of her husband so I was definitely looking forward to reading her new book.Through a series of interviews with the mothers of famous sports figures such as Shaquille O’Neal’s mom , famous actors’ moms such as Matthew McConaughey’s mom and famous singers ‘ moms such as The Jonas Brothers’ mom, the reader gains insight into how these moms were able to help their children succeed in their given field.In each chapter entry Sheinelle ties in personal experiences from her own life that corresponds to what the famous mom is discussing.Between each chapter she offers personal antedotes from many of her fellow cohosts.This is a perfect book to buy for the mother in your life for Mother’s Day.This is a very personal moving tribute to all the great mothers out there.

[Samantha Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone close to me recommended I read this book.

It was a good listen. I am glad I did not purchase the physical book.

Some of it was solid advice but there were parts that I was not too interested in hearing about. Parts that I felt were not relatable in the slightest bit as a “new mom”.

Overall, just okay.

[Mary Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet book with great stories from many mothers of successful children. I was a bit confused at first as the author wove her story throughout the chapters along with the mothers' stories and I wasn't sure whose story was being told.

[Ariana Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the celebrities seem a bit outdated since this is from her years of tv interviews.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every insightful piece of this book and her audio and dialogue was fabulous!

[Kimball Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet memoir by a young mom who gets the thoughts on motherhood from the mothers of famous offspring while goi g through the dark days of loosing her husband to brain cancer. It is full of great stories and thoughtful advise for mothering and just being human.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheinelle Jones from the Today Show was inspired to write “Through Moms Eyes” when she did a series about motherhood and interviewed mothers of famous actors, singers, athletes, etc. She learned so much from them, so she decided to create a book about motherhood and parenting. Therefore, she could share their wisdom in more detail and talk about her own experiences with motherhood.

Motherhood is not perfect and has its ups and downs. Each mother defines who they are and how they raise their children. These were all themes with each mother sharing their wisdom.

A wonderful book that is fascinating to read! It’s an uplifting and inspiring book. I loved how Sheinelle Jones included “Mama Said” at the beginning of each chapter! It’s a book that is perfect for your nightstand as you can read it cover to cover or just read a chapter that speaks to you at the moment! A great book to gift to fellow mothers and moms-to-be!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Elizabeth Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories in this book (each from a different celebrity mother) feel like warm conversations—real, relatable, and filled with wisdom. Whether you’re a mom yourself or just love stories about family, this book reminds us that behind every mom is a journey of strength, grace, and endless love. It’s a perfect blend of vulnerability and encouragement that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the feels. 💕

As a mother currently in the trenches with a young toddler and newborn- this is the exact book I needed!

💬 “Motherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence.”

Thank you to NetGalley for the e arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheinelle Jones, a host from the "Today" show, interviews the mother's of many noteworthy celebrities (from Lady Gaga to Padma Lakshmi to Mark Wahlberg and more) and pulls in her own experiences as a mother to pass on words of wisdom to the reader. It really felt like a friend retelling the interviews to you while you both sat down with a cup of coffee.

I particularly loved that when I finished reading this novel I did not feel overwhelmed or ashamed about what I have done (or not done) as a mother, but instead I felt empowered and reassured that I am doing what is best for my family. Many parenting books push certain ideas or opinions that make you feel bad for disagreeing with, but this book does not do that. I would highly recommend any mom, but especially a mom of little ones, to read this.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Gabriela Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a timely read as we approach Mother’s Day!

While I am not a mother, I have one of the most incredible mothers, and was lucky to be raised in a lineage of immensely strong (and stubborn!) women. Additionally, I’m now in the stage of life where I’m getting to watch my dear friends become moms.

This book filled me with so much warmth and adoration for the role mothers play in our society. It also made me feel some tough feelings for all the unseen things moms face. It’s a reminder to check in on the moms in our life. They’re constantly, selflessly showing up for everyone else, but who shows up for them?

This book also made me laugh. Mothers truly have seen it all. The ability to still show up with joy and laughter each day and to create magical lives for their offspring is truly the greatest of gifts.

I can’t recommend this book enough.

[Sara Morrisey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a solid 3 stars for me. I enjoyed reading it and enjoyed the short chapters, each by a different mom. A few of the chapters drug for me a bit. I did enjoy reading how the moms interviewed handled various issues in life to include their child being bullied (Lady Gag) and embarrassing moments at a parent of adults (Jessica Simpson). The theme that stuck out at me the most is just teaching your kid to be resilient and kind. Don't focus on the small things. Focus on their strengths, not weaknesses. And as a mom; to not be too hard on yourself and make sure to establish some "me" time.

Thank you to NetGallery and Penguin Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Abee Bittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Through Mom’s Eyes is for anyone raising children who wants to feel encouraged—and to perhaps laugh a little—thanks to loving advice from the mothers of some people who have achieved huge dreams and won the respect of millions in the process.”

Moms of Venus & Serena Williams, the Jonas brothers, Shaquille O’Neal, Matthew McConnaughey, Lady Gaga and more discuss their journey of parenting.

I love all parenting books that focus on mindset and this was a real treat. The quote above is a perfect summary of what to expect. It was reflective, funny, and inspiring. The stories from each mom were the perfect length for me to feel engaged. I enjoyed Jones’ reflections on her own motherhood and family.

I recommend!

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts:
Sheinelle Jones is a contributing reporter on The Today Show. Before the pandemic, she began a regular segment called "Through Mom's Eyes," in which she spent time with the mothers of celebrities, picking their brains about how they managed to raise these now-famous people. She soon began implementing their nuggets of wisdom into her own parenting journey when she came across a situation where something they had mentioned fit her current parenting moment. Those conversations and her own parenting journey turned into this book. And while it is part parenting guide, part memoir, it is a full reminder that the hard days of parenting are made a little easier when we have mom friends to lean on.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read! Sheinelle Jones, a co-host on the Today Show, writes about interviews and conversations she had with mothers of celebrities. Each mother has her own chapter, and Sheinelle also talks about her relationships with her own mother and children throughout the book. I enjoyed reading about how each of the mothers had their own version of raising children and the life lessons they learned along the way. While the book does discuss motherhood, I think it has a broad appeal for all women and would be enjoyed by any reader.

Thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Virginia Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheinelle Jones co-hosts the Today show. One of her assignments was to interview moms of famous people. Jones gathered enough material to write a book. Jones and her interviewees share triumphs and learning experiences. The overall message: Parenting is one of the hardest jobs! Be kind to yourself as you navigate parenthood. Look to build up your child's strengths, so your child can explore the world. And finally, community is important because those people become your encouragers and role models.

Thank you #SheinelleJones, #PenguinGroupPutnam, #GPPutnamsSons, and #NetGalley for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah H · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a first time parent, it was good to hear real life accounts of people who have been in the trenches and made it out the other side! I did enjoy reading about different parenting styles & experiences, and how they shaped some household names.
I did find some of the chapters to be dense and seemed to last forever. There were a few chapters that had the name of a celebrity parent, but only one or two quotes from that person & the rest was the author’s experience. Whilst it was nice to see her experience as well, it took away from the premise of the book IMO.
Overall, I enjoyed it, I found it heartwarming and inspiring. I’d recommend it to other Moms!

[Brittany Strehlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect compilation of stories from other moms who have been there and just get it. It’s a wonderful book to keep on hand for when you want to just read a chapter at a time as they are separated stories (though all obviously interconnected to the theme of motherhood.)

Sheinelle Jones did such a great job bringing these stories to life and gathering them in such a wonderful way for everyone to enjoy. I’m glad this book is finally being released!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for an honest review.

[Jodi]

This book is really well written and interesting, but I had to put it away about halfway through. Reading about and from mothers of insanely high achieving people who I can only relate to in the fact that we're humans and mothers was just too hard. Of course shared humanity and roles aren't nothing, but I realized while reading that I much more enjoy stories from and about ordinary people who stay ordinary and don't (intentionally or unintentionally) create some standard that's impossible for the rest of us.

[J. Bergan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the different perspectives in this book. The different backgrounds of each mom and the author's experiences really painted a few different pictures of parenthood and how mom's rock the world the best they can. I appreciate the variety of stories and I loved having that variety of moms from celebrities that I recognized. Moms, grandmas, great grandmas, and soon to be mamas definitely consider this one of your next reads if only to help you feel better about momhood!

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through Mom's Eyes was an amazing book, full of stories, of Moms who raised their kids, and what they went through, the lessons learned, the balance, the love that connected their family, where they are today. Each chapter is a different Mom, so it will be a great book to have, because motherhood is hard, as I read it, it gave me different perspectives, and it made me feel like I was less alone.
I received an ARC from G.P. Putnam's Sons through NetGalley.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

An interesting collection of essays, blending the author's own experience as a mother with interviews of famous moms. I think I expected more from the interviewees and not as much slef-reflection from the author. There were many little nuggets of wisdom in here. It could be a nice Mother's Day gift.

[Kate Deters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life as a mom needs support. Coffee with friends, a talk with your big sister, or a book about moms of famous people. This hit the spot.
I was more familiar with some moms than others, but each story rang true with each heart for their children.
This would be great for a mom's group or your own mother!

[Jamie Frazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read full of nuggets of golden parenting tips. There is a variety of backgrounds, careers and paths taken by these moms. The common thread for me was that you work as whatever your family unit is defined and put your kids passion first. We have them with us for such a short time and it’s worth it to raise good people.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was hard for me because I loved the premise and the intro. The book overall is a heartwarming look at motherhood parenthood and how that is different for us all. It stresses the importance of learning and grace. However it did drag a bit.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons to be learned from Mom's of successful children suggests discipline, positive encouragement, and love. The take away was do not forget yourself in the process of child rearing. A very good read.

[Linda Cuttone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect gift to buy for a new mom for Mother's Day. It is full of stories from fellow moms sharing advice and inspiration. Congrats to her for finishing this book after losing her husband. I believe it will inspire many mothers.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at the perfect time in a teenage mom of twins life. All moms, no matter what the lifestyle or income bracket, face the exact same challenges and it was nice to have that reminder in this book.

[Debra Mirs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tribute to mothers! Add In Sheinelle’s warmth and openness and you have a pleasant read. Learning along the way some tips that mothers used and the affirmation that we are all doing the best we can and are doing ok!

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars I love that she was able to weave her story into the story of each mother that she interviewed. I think this book would be good for young mothers or first time mothers. Wonderful advice throughout. Audiobook.

[Susan Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, read by Sheinelle. I’m not the demographic but wanted to hear the advice from these mothers. We find out little gems and the fact that us mothers are more alike than you may think.