Mama Needs a Minute!: A Candid, Funny, All-Too-Relatable Comic Memoir about Surviving Motherhood

by Mary Catherine Starr

From Mary Catherine Starr, the artist behind the @momlife_comics Instagram account celebrated by moms all over the world, this deeply funny illustrated memoir captures the chaos, joy, exhaustion, guilt, well-intentioned-but-clueless partners, and infinite loads of laundry that come with being a mom.

Packed with humor, warmth, and all-too-relatable anecdotes, this comic memoir explores the (often invisible) labor of modern motherhood that leaves so many moms feeling like they are losing themselves—and their minds! Whether you’re navigating a hellish sleep regression, wiping sweet potato off the walls, seething with spousal resentment (deserved and undeserved), or simply hoping to pee without a toddler watching, this candid and irreverent account perfectly captures what every mom knows in her heart to be motherhood is @#$% hard (and also really amazing)!



Filled with Starr’s signature wit, warmth, and observational humor, Mama Needs a Minute! tackles all the absurdities of mom life and will make you laugh, cry, and feel seen in a way only a true mom-friend can offer.

BELOVED Mary Catherine Starr, aka @momlife_comics, has a dedicated following and her work has appeared on Cup of Jo, Motherly, and the Huffington Post. Now, for the first time, her many fans can learn about Mary Catherine's own journey and enjoy her comic drawings and witty observations in a single, giftable package. 



REFRESHING PARENTING Parenthood is a perennial topic, and this book addresses common experiences of motherhood. Like Horizontal Parenting and Mommy Cusses, it offers humorous, super-relatable takes on parenting that will resonate with any mom looking for comic relief.

 

GREAT MOM This brightly illustrated, comic-style memoir makes a fun gift for moms for Mother’s Day, birthday, baby shower, or baby sprinkle. It is also great for giving to a friend, sister, cousin, or any mom who would appreciate a present that says, “I see you.”

Perfect


Mothers of young children


Fans of @momlife_comics on Instagram


Mother's Day and new mom gift shoppers


Fans of humorous takes on parenting, including Momma Cusses, Horizontal Parenting, Welcome to the Club, Go the F*** to Sleep, and There Are Moms Way Worse Than You


Readers of Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play and Jessi Klein’s I’ll Show Myself Out

Genres: Graphic Novels, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting, Comics, Humor

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2025

About the author

Mary Catherine Starr is an artist and graphic designer. Her popular Instagram account @momlife_comics explores motherhood, marriage, and the double standards of parenting through funny, relatable, and sometimes maddening comics. She lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her husband, their two children, and her son’s large collection of plastic dinosaurs.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mikhael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting!!! I felt heard & understood! Somehow it makes the impossible parts of motherhood seem better when you know these struggles are universal. Love the comics! Easy read; like having a conversation w a friend.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the mother of three kids I was very excited to receive an advanced reader copy of Mama Needs a Minute by Mary Catherine Starr. With excitement I began reading through her graphic novel on parenting. Even before she writes about having children, she portrays her husband as a slacker who does not do a lot of work. This only increases as the book goes on and I felt frustrated with the venting about her husband. There were parts of the book that I enjoyed. The author definitely captures the many challenges of being a working parent. However, there is so much complaining about the lack of work that her husband does I struggled to finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I read it in a day, so I’d say it was pretty damn good.

A laugh out loud yet still serious matter discussed over the trials and tribulations {and laundry} that comes with being a mom.

This book touches on the “it’s ok if you’re a man and do this but not if you’re a woman and do the same thing” double standards of mom v dad and the weaponized incompetence that society places on men, and yes, sometimes women too.

Told in a way that isn’t screaming in your face about it but definitely makes you pause and think, this book can benefit ANY couple that’s ever felt frustration or anger at their significant other/spouse, or anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome and self-judgment on themselves.

Buy it, read it, then leave it out for the other half to read.

[Laura Argenziano · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a mom, I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. I don't want to minimize the author's experiences, but holy hell, do you like your spouse? So much of this book felt like it was just a hit against her husband; he's sleeping, how dare he, he's not cleaning as I expected, I'm laboring and he's not, how unfair, ect. I felt anxious just reading this, like take a breath! I don't know, maybe this is a good read for some people, but definitely not for me.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motherhood is rough. I have long enjoyed Mary Catherine Starr’s comics on Instagram so when this came up on NetGalley I was thrilled. Starr shows her personal journey to motherhood, the double standards we face in society, and the sheer craziness of it all. Love her voice, the style of art and the relatable content. I would love to gift this to friends on their first pregnancy journey.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this graphic novel, yet I was both surprised, but also felt a little...bored at times?

The thing about graphic novels, is the medium let's you really showcase things without the need to narrate a lot. I feel this title didn't do that well. A lot of things were told how hard life is as a mother. And as a husband who knows how much his wife does for both me and our daughter, I'd love to see that portrayed well in a graphic novel style. But in here it's just mostly told, and very very long winded. I'm not familiar with Mary Catherine Starr, so she might be a big author, but this felt like one of her first, if not first, comic/graphic novel. It doesn't read as well in that format IMO and felt like this maybe should have been a regular novel instead.

However, I did still enjoy the message. Some great parts, including the rough process for pregnancy, and of course the feeling of being alone when doing so many things by yourself, even if you aren't by yourself, that feeling can be rough. And I enjoyed those moments as well as the ending, which fit the themes well, and really turned me around on the family we got to know.

So overall not perfect, I think the format is new to the author, and she'll only get better at it for sure. But it's still a good book into the life of motherhood, which is NOT easy folks. A 3 out of 5.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I applaud the author for being “real” and showing some of hard parts of her relationship and motherhood in general. I found some aspects very relatable, like balancing a career with being a mom. She used some interesting metaphors. I really seem to enjoy graphic memoirs and this one was a very real look at balancing motherhood, a relationship and a career.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this book. I think it's a must read for any mom, dad, and especially parents-to-be. It addresses the burnout, mental load, and navigating sharing responsibilities in a way that's easy to digest. It's definitely something I'm going to recommend to friends as they become pregnant because you see exactly what Mary Catherine went through so often - the mom naturally takes over some responsibilities like putting away baby cloths when she's pregnant because she's excited. And then over time it snowballs to her being the only one who knows where things are and it's hard to make that up.

It also addresses parent preference which is such a challenge. In my family, we dealt with this the opposite way because my husband was home with my daughter due to covid unemployment. So he got to do fun things with her whereas I had to work and then finish and go do things like make dinner, leaving me not enough time and energy to be the fun parent. The solution they gave in the book is for the preferred parent to leave, forcing the kids to spend time with the other parent. Another solution is for the other parent to take the kids places too! I'm sure it's common for the working parent to fall into this trap and you really do have to make an effort to be fun for your kids even if you're tired.

While I definitely experienced some of the same exact scenarios that came up in this book with my husband, it also made me appreciate him so much. In the examples in the book, I felt like Mary Catherine really did ask her husband for help a lot or tell him she was burnt out and struggling and he didn't listen to her. I know my husband can be a little clueless sometimes but he does always make an effort to help and to jump in if I'm doing a lot.

She talked about their solutions and I applaud her for making more time for herself and forcing her husband to have more nights where he is responsible for the kids while she gets a break. I do feel like she frequently told him that she needed him to do something and he was distracted by his phone and not listening to her. Hopefully he makes a better effort to hear what she needs and be more present to the needs of his family.

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Mama Needs a Minute! by Mary Catherine Starr was unfortunately not the light-hearted and funny comic book about parenting that I was hoping for from the cover. This is definitely more of a serious memoir about one woman's relationship and parenting struggles and came across really negative to me. Nothing wrong with that of course, it just wasn't what I was hoping to read about. I got maybe a third of the way through before I gave up, knowing it wasn't for me. This could be a really healing story for some, but I wouldn't go in looking for laughs.

[Dina Kliuchareva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book which is so much more than just a funny comics. It should be given out to every single parent at the birthing centers.

[Elisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama Needs a Minute! by Mary Catherine Starr is an honest, compelling and funny account of one woman's path to parenthood and what that means for her relationships, her children and most importantly, herself.

Told with a mix of humorous illustrations of Starr and her family as well as poignant essays on her personal path to parenthood., Starr discusses her early childhood, how she met her husband, their path to parenthood and what their lives have looked like since they had their children. She is very candid about her birth experience with her daughter and all the apprehension, worry and love that comes with being a first-time parent. She also emphasizes that despite all the planning you can do, life will inevitably throw you curveballs.

This is a book for the parent (both mothers and fathers) who finds that despite the myths of joyous bonding with their newborn, struggles with the workload of being caregiver. Starr is honest, almost brutally so, about her struggles with trying to maintain who she was before having her children and fulfilling all societal expectations that women especially are given once they become mothers.

She also addresses the inequities in shared parenting that she and her husband experienced and how they were able to work through it so that though they each handled parenting differently, it didn't mean one was better than the other.

Having discovered Starr's work through her Instagram account momlife_comics, I was very excited to see her illustrations combined into a book. This is the book I wish I had when I was a new parent, struggling with post-partum depression and anxiety and wishing that I could talk to someone about all of the feelings. While this isn't a how-to book, it is a a book full of parenting insight. I feel that's better than a how-to, which can make you feel judged, but more like a friend's hug, something you can lean on when you need it.

Note: I received a copy of this book for the purposes of review from NetGalley.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a funny and honest look at motherhood and marriage. She brings to light a lot of the inequality of running the household and she tells her story with hilarious comics.
I'm not a mom to kiss but am a dog mom so I could actually relate to some of this. This is a great book for moms or soon-to-be moms.

[Elise Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Honest. Funny, and I just struggled because it was so real.

[Talita Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultrajada com o nervoso que passei com o marido de outra pessoa

[Autumn Romanow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! A very easy read that was comforting and validating. Read it in one day!

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, some of the comics were great and rang true, there were parts where it felt she was, deservedly, resentful to her husband. I felt it was so relatable. That being said, I love how open she is about mental health and the necessity of openess of communication in a partnership.
The story is great and makes mothers feel like we aren’t alone and we all need to do more of that.

This book is what I needed.

#mamaneedsabreak

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tore through this half comic memoir of early parenthood and felt so seen. Definitely laughed out loud at parts too.

[Reagan Kapasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially loved relatability and illustrations.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny! Relatable!
Made me grateful my household dynamic is a lot more equal than the authors but soooo much is still so applicable. Loved the comics! Fun, easy to read book 🥰

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve followed the momlife comic online for a while and I expected this book to be a compilation of those comics. I did t expect to see all the complicated feelings I have about marriage and motherhood dissected in such a relatable way. The illustrations address so many moments and emotions in succinct and meaningful snippets, but the book is so much more than that. I miss my kindle highlight feature, though I related to so many things the whole book may have been highlighted.
This book literally illustrates the disparity between moms and dads, the crushing guilt of not being able to do it all, and the mental load of motherhood in a way that made me feel seen.

[Rachel Qay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through the use of both "comics" or illustrations, and written reflections, Mary Catherine Starr writes about her evolving relationship with her husband, the transition to motherhood, and provides a realistic account of what to expect out of motherhood.

The way that Starr addresses topics such as burnout, managing the mental load, and the transition of shared responsibilities as they shift from married-without-children to married-with-children was my favorite aspect of the memoir, as I appreciated the way that Starr incorporates her perspective as a woman and a mother, as well as including her husband's perspective. I personally related to Starr especially because, as Starr describes, I am an anxious and type-A person who likes to plan everything in order to get a grasp on my anxiety! Additionally, Starr presents and normalizes frustration, disappointment, resentment, and the resounding experience that occurs when a life event does not go at all the way that you expected. For mothers-to-be, Starr provides a very candid account of pregnancy, child birth, postpartum, as well as balancing marriage, parenting, and being a mother.

One topic I appreciated was the "peanut butter" metaphor addressed early on, where Starr illustrates the importance of your partner showing that they want to improve your life, that they're thinking about you, and demonstrate it through "the small things". I also appreciated Starr's reflection on topics such as the way that she and her husband planned for the arrival of their first child, and the things that they would have done differently if given a second opportunity to work more collaboratively and be equally prepared and educated prior to baby's arrival. With situations such as these, the way that Starr both writes and illustrates the examples are done in an easy-to-digest way that would allow any reader to share with a friend, a therapist, or a partner in conversation and implement into their own life after the reader has done their own reflection.

By reading the cover and title alone, I was expecting this memoir to be almost entirely, or entirely comics/illustrations. That being said, I was surprised to find so much text and written information with maybe about half of the book being comics/illustrations. Another important note is that this book is not to be considered "parenting advice" (and isn't trying to be) - so, the reader should consider why they are picking up this memoir before opening it before making a judgment! Not all of the choices that Starr's family made will work for everyone, and that's completely okay. This is Starr's story and personal experience, not an advice column.

Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Mary Catherine one day while scrolling through Instagram (@momlife_comics), and let me tell you, it was like a sign from the gods that we collided. Her words and insight on motherhood is like a balm to any mama’s soul. She sees you, makes you feel less alone and helps put a name to those icky feelings you have festering inside when you feel like you’re just in the thick of this thing called motherhood and you have nothing left to give.

Mama Needs a Minute! is a comic memoir that captures the all-too-relatable labor of love that is modern motherhood. I often find myself thinking I have dementia, but then remind myself that it’s just the invisible mental load that I am carrying. Mary Catherine gets it – and not just in words, but perfectly in images as well. Spousal resentment? Have that. Feeling like you’re drowning in laundry? I’m with ya. Always have an audience in the bathroom? Me too. I knew motherhood was going to be one of the hardest – and most rewarding – things I ever do in life, but some days I just feel like it’s impossible. And I just have one child.

This book feels like I am not alone. It’s filled with humor, astute observations, wit and warmth. I found that I wanted to devour it because I felt so seen, but I had to set it down because I found that I was getting heated at times because it was hitting a little close to home. Was I seething in the corner staring at my husband as he obliviously ate peanuts on the couch while there was a mound of dishes to be done? You bet. But, this book delicately reminded me that I need to do the work to communicate my needs or he’s never going to get off the couch and do.the.dishes.

I adored this book, and I think it would be perfect for any mom in the throws of motherhood. It offers a great message of “I see you,” which I think we sometimes need to feel.

Thank you to Mary Catherine Starr, Chronicle Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of the book for an honest review.

[Jordan Tu'ulauulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a graphic novel/memoir about Mary Catherine Starr's life from a single woman, to a wife, and now a mother/wife/business owner. I'm glad this book is being published; parents (and soon-to-be parents) everywhere will benefit from hearing this story. Maybe it'll just be validating for you, maybe it'll be informative and helpful either as you prepare to be a parent, or if you have loved ones that are parents. Most of all this story needs to be told because for so long mothers were suffering in silence with the heavy physical and mental burden of managing a household alone without support from their partners, family members, and community. There came a movement where mothers were speaking out about the struggles of parenthood and lack of support instead of just pasting on a smile. This has been very freeing and validating as a mother myself to read about Starr's struggles and the dynamic between her and her husband and how they are working on reversing that narrative that mom has to do it all. However, this book was too wordy to keep my attention. Almost every other page was a full page of text without illustrations, and when there were illustrations, the talk bubbles were packed full of long sentences and rambling thoughts. I can see the reason for these decisions, but I had a difficult time getting through the long blocks of text and ended up skimming certain parts that didn't resonate with me. Overall, I'm very glad I read this book and would recommend it to others!

[Marinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mama Needs A Minute! is a comic memoir of motherhood. I wasn’t familiar with Mary Catherine Starr or @momlife_comics before picking this up, but I am a big fan of Paula Kuka @common_wild who wrote a similar book called Mumlife a few years back. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. Most of the illustrations felt repeated with slight changes and the lack of facial details began to bother me as the book went on.

The book is a memoir, so it can be a bit wordy at times, again with very similar comic pictures that didn’t keep me intrigued to the storyline. I guess I mostly found myself bored trying to get through it, versus excited to see what hilarity would ensue. I think many moms may find the shared experience validating, but to me it just felt kind of depressing. I really enjoy art in a comic style, but this just felt too generic for me. I didn’t feel like I gained much from the reading experience, which is how I know I will recommend a book.

There is an overall message of inequality in the workload between mothers and fathers and trying to find balance in parenting. I totally agree with this, but it also felt like a topic that’s been explored many times within parenting spaces. I was definitely hoping for more originality.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chronicle Books, and the author and illustrator Mary Catherine Starr for an ARC of Mama Needs A Minute! in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been best friends with Mary Catherine Starr (@momlife) for two decades now (!!!), & I’m so excited to share that her upcoming comic memoir, Mama Needs a Minute!, releases March 11!

This book is all about mom overwhelm & the household labor imbalance between moms & dads. IMO, being a mom is *amazing* & also amazingly stressful, & my husband is *amazing* & has also been the recipient of my Burning Laser eyes when I sense an imbalance in our household operations 🤣.

Mary Catherine is SO talented, astute, warm, & funny, & she writes about motherhood with sensitivity, empathy, & honesty.

I am so grateful to have more moms talking about these topics because, honestly, I don’t think this forthrightness was encouraged (or even permitted? for some people in some communities) when I was younger. I can’t imagine how my own postpartum depression, anxieties, & guilt would have been exacerbated if I didn’t know there were other moms who experience both the joys & the tremendous challenges of motherhood.

Mary Catherine’s writing about controversial topics but you don’t have to have experienced all of it, or agree with every comic, to see the value in what MC is doing. We need to help moms & we need to make a space where all moms feel comfortable sharing the entirety of that experience.

The last thing I’ll say here is that this post is EXTREMELY biased bc she is my BFF & I freaking adore everything about her. (But also, it’s a fantastic book!!!).

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is more than just a collection of comics; it serves as a mirror reflecting the daily rollercoaster of motherhood with humor, honesty, and plenty of caffeine. Whether discussing the debate over screen time or the mental load of managing schedules, this book captures the invisible labor that mothers carry every day.

With bold illustrations and humor, the author portrays the mental challenges as well as the emotional ups and downs of motherhood. But this isn't a parenting manual, nor is it a sentimental love letter to motherhood—it's a realistic, comic-style snapshot of what it really feels like to be responsible for young children while trying to maintain your sanity.

From snack requests and bedtime negotiations to the quiet resentment that simmers beneath the surface, Starr articulates what many moms only dare to think. Her ability to balance both the chaos and the joy is what makes this book feel like a lifeline. It’s hilariously funny, yet raw and validating in a way that helps every overwhelmed, sleep-deprived mom, breathe a little easier. The humor is sharp without being cruel, and self-deprecating without eliciting pity. I loved how the author doesn't mock motherhood; instead, she highlights its absurdities in a loving and affirming way.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny story, but also very serious. It is the story of a mother who wants to do it all, know it all, be prepared, and a husband who figures it will all work out because it always does.


The book follows along as we see that the only way it will work out, is if the mother does do it all. She reflects in the story, that she should have planned better, that she should have brought in her husband sooner, that she shouldn’t have been quite so picky.


There is a great point, where her daughter says that she doesn’t want to play basketball, because she wants to do art. Her mother tells her she can do it all. The daughter says, no, that would be too much. And the mother realizes that she is right.


Sad at times, as we see the mother spiraling, but beautiful too, as she realizes what is going on, and brings her husband in as much as she can.


Much of this has been online, but this is the total collection, plus her thoughts on what she wrote about. Perhaps this is the book that expectant mothers should be reading. :)


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be coming out on the 11th of March 2025.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything you'd hope to be and more. It's about being a woman, wife, mother, and how the self disappears in all of that. I didn't really expect to cry and laugh as much as I did reading this. It felt like all my vulnerable thoughts about those moments which I feel guilty for resentment were talked about without shame, and for that, I love this book.

The first moment of sudden realization of "this person knows how I feel, think, and my experiences" was the comic where the dad couldn't find anything during the first few weeks of baby.

The comics are brilliant. I really liked how it felt like a consistent interview throughout the book. The comics are really what takes this book from good to brilliant. So much more to the story is conveyed through the comic strips, like dirty dishes or the messy bun. It's a reflection of me.

This would be perfect for anyone who wants to be a mom, will be a mom after pregnancy or adoption, is a mom, or knows a mom. Really, it's a fantastic book for anyone to get a good idea of being a person who balances it all while society always has expectations about it.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the cover, I thought this book would be a collection of comics documenting the ups and downs of motherhood. Is it not exactly this. It is actually an illustrated yet wordy recounting of the author’s journey from fresh, single young woman to harried, overworked, overtired, over-everything mom/wife. It’s cute but way more wordy than I was expecting. This is not a bad thing, but it was a surprising thing. Clearly I did not read the description of this book closely enough.

The illustrations are very cute, and what they depict are painfully accurate. I loved the “what I thought it would be” vs “what it really was” comparisons sprinkled out. I think I will make my husband read the parts where she illustrates the dad experience at things vs mom’s.

I highly recommend this for anyone, but it will probably be most meaningful for couples and parents.

(ARC received from NetGalley)

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big reader of graphic novels so the format did take me some time to get used to. However, the story is relatable and in parts funny and in other parts quite sad.

This book looks at the author's journey from dating college student to married with kids. There are struggles along the way as they navigate the changes that come along with the new roles.

Her depiction of her husband was not always flattering.

The author did a good job of capturing the realties of the emotional and physical demands of motherhood and how much harder society is on moms vs dads.

There were also funny parts interspersed with some of the deeper themes.

Overall, I think this memoir is real and relatable and did a good job of exploring the author's journey into parenting. For me, I kinda wish this was a typical memoir rather than a graphic novel. However, if you like graphic novels then this one is a great read that tackles some serious issues.