From One Mom to a Mother: Poetry & Momisms

by Jessica Urlichs

*over 200,000 copies of Jess's poetry books sold worldwide!*

"I want to tell you everything I know
carry you and guide you
yet somehow, as your tiny finger points
to things in wonder
and your eyes meet mine
the paradigm shifts
I once thought I was to show you the world
when all along you came to show me."

Poignant, raw and beautifully honest pieces on motherhood.
This book comprises 55 poems and prose including viral pieces, 'Dear Mama' & 'I Would Tell Her'.
Jessica Urlichs shares her truths from a vulnerable place of becoming a new Mother. Written from the heart, Jessica's words are inspirational and relatable.
'From One Mom to a Mother' is written in a refreshingly honest tone that will touch the soul of so many on this same beautiful, yet challenging journey. Whether you laugh or cry you will put it down feeling less alone and having made a friend in a book . Jessica shares her passion and love for her children on this tale of self discovery, that two people were born that day.

"Jessica’s writing was the postpartum life raft I didn’t know I needed until I found it. I really struggled with the monumental shift that becoming a mother can be, when I found Jessica’s poetry I felt seen, heard, less alone and validated. Her words are healing, deeply relatable and the comforting tonic all new mothers should have on their bedside table. Her children’s books are equally as wonderful, my little boy adored The Rainbow in my Heart so much and we regularly take the sentiments from it to help him through emotional ups and downs. A must for every little girl and boy’s book shelf". - Caroline Foran, No. 1 Best selling Author of 'Owning It'

'From One Mom to a Mother' is the first book in Jess's collection of poetry with 'All I See is You' being her second and her third and final in the series.

Jess's poems can also be found on Etsy!

The Paperback version doesn't include the bonus pages of additional poems, see the hardback option for 'Dear Husband - The Future Can Wait'.

Genres: Parenting, Poetry, Nonfiction

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2020

About the author

Jessica is an author and poet who lives in New, Zealand with her husband and three young children.

Jessica Urlichs started her journey on Instagram (@jessurlichs) before becoming a published author.
Jessica has written three poetry books on early motherhood in her collection, and now a Sunday Times Bestseller 'Beautiful Chaos' an anthology with Penguin Books, plus International no #1 bestseller 'You Hung The Moon' with Hachette NZ.
Jessica has also written a variety of children's books to help our young ones navigate their emotions and realise their superpowers.

Her books continue to grace the homes of thousands around the world and have proven to make a very popular gift for mothers at all stages of their journey, resonating mostly on early motherhood, with her most popular poem of all time, 'All I See Is You'.

Jessica's books have sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.

Find more from Jessica at www.jessicaurlichs.com

Reviews

[Christina Loeffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 big, emotional stars for this weeping first time mom!

I'm not normally a big fan of poetry if I'm being totally honest here. It's not that I'm not a fan or dislike it, I enjoy reading poems when I come across them or when they're recommended. It's just not a type of literature I find myself drawn to or picking up myself given the choice. However having had my first baby in May and finding Jessica Urlichs poetry circulating TikTok videos I was up at 3:00 in the morning feeding my baby to it was an easy purchase. I surely can't be the only one who made many impulse purchases in the middle of the night and this was definitely a solid win.

From One Mom to a Mother was a raw, emotional and honest look at motherhood and the many ups and downs that come with it. Motherhood and parenthood in general is the most beautiful and challenging thing I've ever done and it was refreshing to relate so heavily to another so much and to know I'm not alone. I use many of the poems and thoughts in this book to remind myself in the hard moments of how beautiful this journey truly is.

I would highly recommend this to anyone but especially parents and especially new parents who are in the thick of it.

[Sabina Colleran · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I wish this was a bit more polished, I found myself in these poems often. Any mom will relate so well to this raw look at the paradox of being a mom.

[Heather]

my daughter turned two months old today and i devoured this collection during a contact nap. all the feels!! lots of tears. may start including this in gifts for new moms going forward.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection was a real emotional rollercoaster of tears and laughter in equal measure. It was a collection I read over a number of weeks as I savoured each piece.

Some of the poems and pieces of prose hit me so hard in their raw truthfulness that it felt like a punch in the stomach. Jessica Urlichs has a talent for capturing the mundane moments and fleeting thoughts experienced universally by parents and shaping them into something beautiful, relatable and meaningful.

I cannot recommend this collection enough to new mothers, expectant mothers and parents of young children who are navigating the highs and lows of parenthood in all its wonderful and messy complexity. This book brings a sense of comfort, of community, acceptance and recognition that can really help in those low moments and reinforce those high moments too.

I think I need some time to recover from the emotional hit before I pick up Urlichs' next collection!

[Kristen Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like reading all of my own deepest thoughts, put together in the most beautiful way. It felt like a “friend” I could turn to at 3am in the middle of a breakdown when no one else would understand. The words found in these pages somehow captures the most honest parts of being a new mom and balancing it with life and being a wife. There was so much hope, comfort and passion in this book where I found encouragement that I was not alone in this journey. This is definitely one that I will turn to again and again. Looking forward to reading her other collections as well.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve just become a mother, so this felt like a good read for this timing in my life. I did enjoy this book, but could not relate to all the poems well. There are some really, REALLY good ones, but also some that I didn’t connect with at all.

Ones I really enjoyed are: Lessons of breastfeeding, carring you, two, marriage, Mum I understand everything now, my world, here’s to us, I will always need you, hello old friend

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this postpartum and I can barely get through a poem because of the tears. This book helped me feel seen as a new mother. I highly recommend if you're a new mom, even if you aren't into poetry, even if the poetry itself isn't very sophisticated, it will make you feel seen and that's all that matters.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a perfect world, I would get to meet Jess one day. I would get to tell her that I love her and how often she has saved me. Her words are unlike any others and speak straight to my soul. I have been able to look at motherhood differently because of her. I have been able to look at myself differently because of her. I LOVE her work and she will always and forever be my favorite poet. ❤️

[Leïla Chiasson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Quelques très beaux poèmes, d’autres un peu fades, mais en général j’ai bien apprécié.

[Madison Kopeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love supporting mamas who are willing to be vulnerable to make us other mamas feel less alone

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I support a mama who speaks about the intricacies of parenthood and found many of these poems relatable, I found this collection to fall a little flat compared to ‘All I See Is You’.

[Saeideh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first time mom, this book was just describing every emotion I experienced since the birth of my son, all the raw feelings. It was a beautiful read and tearful for sure!

[Rhi Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could I would gift this to every new Momma! It made me cry, smile and laugh out loud! It’s a balm to a tired worn out Momma. Being a Mom is hard but these poems make you realize you aren’t alone.

[Bethany Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For I was your sun, the only warmth you needed before you saw a sunrise with your own eyes.
I was your star, before they dusted across your gaze with possibility and wonder.
I was your moon, your only pull, before you noticed the comforting light in the nights blanket.
I was your universe for such a short while, until you saw there was so much more.
But I will always be the earth, your roots grew here.
And you will always be my world.”

― Jessica Urlichs, From One Mom to a Mother: Poetry & Momisms

Excuse me while I cry all day.

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first came upon Jessica Urlichs poetry on IG (@jessurlichs_writer), and fell in love. I’ve enjoyed stumbling upon her poems with accompanying photos - often they hit right at the time I need them. I found that I preferred that outlet rather than a collection in a book. Some resonate, some do not. Still, worth a read for new moms!

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to decide on a 2 or 3 star rating. Some parts or poems were beautiful and I really connected with and others I couldn’t relate to and/or were very cheesy.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Poetic Love Letter to Early Motherhood 💕

Jessica Urlichs has a rare gift for capturing the raw, beautiful, and overwhelming journey of becoming a mother. From One Mum to a Mother (Book 1) is a profoundly emotional and relatable collection of poetry and prose that speaks to new and seasoned mothers' hearts.

Each page resonates with the highs, the lows, the exhaustion, the love, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. She gives words to the silent thoughts so many moms have—the quiet sacrifices, the aching love, the joy, the guilt, and the overwhelming depth of it all.

This book is like a warm hug on the most challenging days and a gentle reminder to savour the fleeting moments. A perfect gift for any new mom or mother-to-be, it’s a book you’ll return to again and again.

✨ Highly recommend for every mother who has ever felt unseen, exhausted, and deeply in love all at once.

[caitys.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022: Just beautiful. So many feelings, put into the exact words they need to be properly expressed.
Watching a video where 'Dear Husband' was read by radio hosts, straight away I knew I needed to have this book. I remember having a hard Mum day and finally making it to bed and reading 'The Battle'. All the feelings. Everything so raw, so true.
I wish I had read this before becoming a Mum so I knew what I was in for. But I'm so glad I actually read this before trying for #3. The appreciation, the feels...the reminders...my heart.
Thank you for putting my feelings into words!

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it proper poetry in a theorical way ? Can you study this at school ? I don't know. I am no expert. However it made me feel all the feels and I cried several time. This is such an empowering little book for new moms. You will feel seen. You will understand you are not alone. You will close this collection with a full heart. I would be very surprised if you could not relate to at least one poem in here. As in every collection some poems did not resonate with me that's why I am not rating it 5 stars but it very much deserves a read !

[Chanielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I’m not generally a huge fan of poetry and what I am, usually needs to rhyme, but this was wonderful. I have three children, with my youngest being 5 months, and these poems help to put certain things in a softer perspective. Such as wakings during the nights or the “clingyness” that comes in phases. Regardless of the frustrations to come, I will do my best to remember some of these words and remind myself of the honor I have of being my children’s safe place.

[Parvathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very raw in its expressions, and more than the flow of language, it was the emotions that would connect.  It was as if addressing that 'you are not alone' everything you feel is well appreciated sharing the voice of promise. This one was a good read. My favorite was' MY little lady,' and an interesting one was 'Backward.'' Indeed, I read it backward.  I didn't want to finish this collection in one go , so I enjoyed it with one or two per day. 

[LaCrissa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried nearly every page. Never have I felt so seen. The need to have your own space and identity while time is fleeting and you want nothing more to be drowning in the love of your children. This book was the friend I needed the first time around, but also the advice I needed the second time. Now to pass this book on "From One Mom To A Mother" it almost feels too selfish to keep to myself. ❤️

[Abigail Woodruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Urlichs social media. Her poems and thoughts get me through some of my roughest patches of motherhood. I asked for this collection for Mother's Day and it has filled me with a lot of joy. I think her writing has become more polished since this was published, but it still resonated and was enjoyed ❤️

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is vulnerable and real. It’s (mostly) relatable (I had a very different birth experience, and only one child), and I was moved by what I could relate to. I cried at parts, felt seen in others, and in some company in parts of parenthood that often makes me feel alone. This gives me hope that I’m doing something right.

[Annie Brescia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every word carefully, perfectly placed on each page. It’s hard not to read without getting emotional. It’s absolutely beautiful and I will cherish it forever. Thank you for all of these sweet words, feelings and making me feel like I’m not the only mama with these thoughts.

[Barbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not really into momisms but this is just great. I deeply understood every line and loved it. There are no stereotypes (finally), just the truth, love, compassion. It helps even if you think you don't need any help.

[Mel (Daily Prophecy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I see is you impressed me more. I always feel like I see her best work on her IG/Tiktok accounts and her work in her books feels more flat. Definitely pretty pieces and recognisable feelings, but I am now blown away.

[Camille Danciu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally charged compilation of poems about the wonderful highs of motherhood. As a mom of four who can remember that feeling of being a new mom, this book brought tears to my eyes several times. I now keep this by my bedside. I loved this book.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this after reading Beautiful Chaos. A lot of the poems are in both so there were as many new ones for me which I wish I'd known. That said every mother should read the work of Jessica Urlich, she's brilliant!

[Mary Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!

So relatable!! Every page struck my heart. HIGHLY recommend this book for every mama in your life! Excellent gift to give!