Mom Milestones: The TRUE Story of the First Seven Years

by Grace Farris

A humorous celebration of mom milestones big and small across all parenting stages from newborn to elementary school, with warm and relatable illustrations from cartoonist, doctor, and mom Grace Farris.

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

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2022

About the author

Grace Farris is a mom, doctor, and illustrator. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, NPR, BuzzFeed, and she writes a weekly comic for the lifestyle blog Cup of Jo. Her comics and illustrations have appeared in exhibitions in the UK, Ireland, Austria and across the US. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her family. She is the author of Mom Milestones: The TRUE Story of the First Seven Years. Visit Grace at farrisgrace.com and on Instagram at @coupdegracefarris

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Mom Milestones is a fun and relatable book for mums and mums to be about the journey, joys, stages, highs and lows of motherhood. The book focuses on from pregnancy to approx 7 years of age. I found this such an enjoyable, touching and relatable read and loved every page. So many of these experiences, emotions and fears I, myself have been through and felt so relieved I'm not the only one. This book is fantastic especially for new and first time mums as it helps you to feel less alone and insecure about your feelings, emotions and journey.
The illustrations are just so cute and funny throughout the book. Definitely a great read for any mum! Would make a perfect gift too!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute comic collection explores the common experiences of mothers with young children, but it doesn't just focus on the baby years. It goes all the way through the child turning seven, and covers lots of milestones, joys, frustrations, and weird things that typically happen along the way. I enjoyed the humor and the cute drawings, and this book will be relatable for lots of moms.

For the most part, the book is very general, so that people can connect with it regardless of their background or unique experiences. However, the author briefly and casually mentions adoptive moms and NICU moms, and I appreciated that sensitivity, since many books about motherhood don't acknowledge these experiences.

I found this book cute, funny, and heartwarming. I didn't care for some of the mostly nude drawings near the beginning, so other readers who would find that crass and unnecessary will want to be aware of that, but I really enjoyed this book, and it would make a gift for baby showers and Mother's Day. It also has great reread potential, unlike some short comics collections, especially since it covers different ages. New moms will likely enjoy going back to this book to review and remember earlier stages of their child's life, while relating in a new way to parts of the book that cover older ages.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow Grace Farris on Instagram, you have probably seen some of these cartoons about being a mom. Well, this is a whole book of them, written as though it was “What to expect in the first five years” sort of book, but instead of talking about the baby, they are talking about the mother.

Each stage of mother hood is covered, from things that new moms will learn to how kindergarten mom’s behave.

Funny and true book. Probably a bit of all things that mothers go through. We all have to learn by doing, unfortunately, but here is a book to help you know that what you are going through, so are other mothers, and you can laugh about it.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Danielle Kohs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book super cute with the illustrations on each page and it was a quick read as it read more like a graphic novel. As a mom to a 2-year-old and also expecting a second baby in January it had me reminiscing on my early days of motherhood. It was honest with mom life that many don’t see and hilarious at times. This is the perfect book to gift to any new moms to be!


Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and spoke directly to my sleep-deprived mom-self currently deeply entrenched in the newborn phase, albeit for the second time. A good reminder that everything I’m feeling is universal and that it will all pass. Doesn’t really make the sleepless nights and crying/tantrumming children less difficult, but it did make me laugh.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this touching and relatable graphic ode to moms. I’m only at the “18 months” chapter in real life but would love to revisit this as I go through different phases as a mom. This would make a great gift for others.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.


So I have no kids of mine own (and no plans either) but I do love books like this about parenting, about motherhood. And this one seemed even more fun as it looked like a graphic novel.

In this book we get A LOT of milestones from 0-5/6 years old. And not just milestones of moms, oh no, also of the baby! I had fun reading about the milestones and loved that instead of stopping at 3/4 years old it went up to elementary school age and a big further. We read about all the things that come with pregnancy and parenting. From well-meant advices to changing diapers to food and the struggle that becomes to sleeping and snuggling to going to preschool, about chats after school. We read about dislikes and likes. And we even get some motivational/inspirational notes which I loved.

The book is very playful and colourful and easy on the eyes. There isn’t just text (with fun hand-written font that is thankfully easy to read), but there are tons and tons of pictures. From bingo cards to what certain body parts (or a cake in case of the first birthday cake) may do during x milestone, like Toddler Mom and Digestive Tract Anatomy with things like: “Rectum – rarely allowed to operate without an audience” or “Mouth – describes how marvellous everything tastes.” to fun images supposed to look like photographs! There was a lot and I was never bored while reading.

This was such a fun book and I am happy I had the chance to read it! I would recommend it to all looking for a fun book about motherhood with funny moments, inspirational moments, some sad moments, and much more!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom Milestones was an enjoyable read and felt like a hug; as the title suggests, this book celebrates a mother’s milestones rather than the child’s milestones. Since I have a young child I recognized many of the early stages and can anticipate some of the upcoming stages. Many of the cartoons made me smile or chuckle with how creatively Grace Farris captured the feeling or moment: my favorites were the weekend mom activities, things mom do (sic) during bath time, stages of bath time, and bedtime: the board game. Since the author is also a physician, the milestone anatomy charts were especially clever. The diagrams detail how mothers develop particular muscles, skills, and abilities as they rise to the occasion. Farris writes an encouraging note to the reader: “I hope this book comforts you after a rough bedtime or an early wake-up, or any other time. It is a comforting and familiar read, and I enjoyed it in one sitting.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love everything Grace Farris touches, this included. Her care for caregivers-- the way she clearly loves, admires, respects, KNOWS moms and their experiences-- comes through on every page. I appreciate the gentleness and reality mixed with humor.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely and heartfelt book. Each page is a reminder of how funny and hard and precious and agonizing the first years of motherhood are. Can’t wait to buy this for my mom friends.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute book written in cartoons/comic style. We talk all about baby milestones but what about “Mom Milestones”? Moms first sleepless night, moms first time leaving the house with the baby, moms first time away from baby? All the firsts of motherhood are told in this book in a humorous way. Although by the end, I was in my feels and tearing up. Overall, a very quick and fun read!

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a funny, quick read about all the craziness the first 7 years of motherhood brings. It was a fun way to spend an hour or less. It definitely has some stereotypes and things, but I chuckled a few times and the art style is great.

[Lauren Dyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read for a new mom

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for PopSugar's 2023 Reading Challenge #4: A book by a first time author
AR 4.75
So relatable. Going to gift to mom friends.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s week 7 with the new baby and this book was perfect to read right now! Farris’s comics were so relatable and brought smiles to my face with every page. I’ll have to check out her comic now!

[Brigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom Milestones is an absolute delight! This humorous collection of comics is a brilliant blend of wisdom, recognition, and heart. The artist and author, Grace Farris has captured motherhood in such an authentic, kind, fun, and colorful way.
One moment, I was laughing while reading portions out loud to my husband, and then next I was getting teary-eyed and contemplating mom life. An entertaining, relatable book filled with the joy of feeling seen makes Mom Milestones a rare gem. (Especially the parts about Mom wanting to read because she really loves reading!)
Mom Milestones will make the perfect graphic novel to gift to moms, friends, family, and yourself.
Many thanks to the awesome author, Netgalley, and Workman Publishing for an advanced e-copy! Reviews are all my own,

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book that follows mom milestones throughout the first seven years of baby's life. It captures the ups and downs of motherhood, showing us that even in our most lonely moments, we're all in motherhood together. Always bringing the real and the feels, Grace Farris nails it.

[Ainun Zahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been smiling so hard while reading this book that my cheeks hurts. I am no mother but I can relate to most of the parts after listening to my Ma's countless stories from her pregnancy and post pregnancy period. When a baby is born, it immediately takes the spotlight. Everybody puts their heart and soul ensuring it gets the best of everything while the mother is left all alone, overwhelmed by the sudden changes and a lot of responsibility. Grace Farris sheds light on a mother's journey, from the moment the baby is born to the first seven eventful years, how she slowly transforms from a clueless, lost individual into a super momma. Besides the realistic depictions, the colorful, vibrant illustrations are mesmerizing and the cherry on top.

Packed with hilarious remarks, overflowing love and insightful advices for awkward, embarrassing and hectic situations along with innumerable confusions to come, this is a marvelous book for mothers, would-be-mothers and just anybody who wants to form an idea what it's like to be stuck with the most challenging yet rewarding job in the world. The book feels like a close friend and confidante, someone to rely on, who understands both the miseries and the joys. I am so glad to have read it.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the very talented author for granting me a digital copy of this book. Grace, you nailed it.

[Nona Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom Milestones: The TRUE Story of the First Seven Years adalah buku yang mengajak perempuan merayakan momen menjadi ibu.

Buku ini menggambarkan momen-momen pertama seorang ibu, mulai dari hari pertama menjadi ibu hingga anak memasuki usia sekolah dasar. Dari malam-malam minim tidur hingga pertemanan ibu dan anak, semua diceritakan dengan hangat dan menghibur.

Ilustrasinyapun super lucu!. Meskipun menggunakan ilustrasi yang sederhana namun cukup mengena di tiap-tiap halamannya. Buku ini tidak hanya lucu, tetapi juga mengandung pesan-pesan positif tentang menjadi ibu. Buku ini seakan mengajarkan para perempuan untuk menghargai setiap momen, bahkan yang terlihat sepele.

Secara keseluruhan, "Mom Milestones: The TRUE Story of the First Seven Years" adalah bacaan yang menyenangkan, menyentuh, dan menginspirasi bagi para ibu di semua tahap kehidupan. Dengan gaya penulisan yang jujur dan lucu, penulis berhasil menciptakan buku yang tidak hanya memberikan hiburan, tetapi juga dukungan bagi para ibu.

Oiya, aku baca buku ini di Libby dengan kartu Montgomery County Public Library. Kamu bisa cek Libby kamu jika ingin baca buku ini!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Walkman Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

I love this book. It has got my entire attention and I read this book cover to cover once I got it.

First, the title and the colourful book cover got me!

And once I opened the book, I just kept on reading the book like I was reading a fun scrapbook/journal. This is such a fun collection I would say. I love the illustrations and the combination of colours!

If you love reading comics and a huge fan of Sarah Scribbles, you will love this one as well! Though the themes are totally different, you will enjoy the realistic illustrations and the writing.

You will keep nodding and sometimes laugh out loud at the realities the book will address with each illustration.

Before and after becoming a mum: what to do and what to do to enjoy yourself. You would not know how fun it is to read this collection unless you read it!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farris made me feel seen as a new mom, made me both nervous and excited for what is to come, and reminded me more than once that these days are fleeting and the time goes by too fast.

I liked the way she broke the book up into sections based on the age of your child, since each of those phases is so distinct, requiring different responses and actions from mom, and full of new milestones and behaviors from baby.

This book made me laugh - I loved the illustrations, and the various "anatomy" drawings throughout. It was all clever and warm and honest about motherhood - the challenge, the fear, the rewards.

As I finished the book, I found myself already mourning the end of the baby days I get to live through right now, and also excited (and anticipatorily exhausted) by the new milestones to come.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company, I received an advanced copy of Mom Milestones. I have followed Grace Farris on Instagram for a while and have enjoyed her illustrations and insights into parenthood. This book is sectioned into Newborn, Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and School-Aged stages.

What I love about the book is the goal to see similarities in our journies of parenthood. There's a lot that we can all relate to, even though each parent and baby/child is different. It's been at least a decade since I've been "in the trenches" and I could vaguely remember as I read along, nodding to the ups and downs of each stage. Having a baby can be rather lonely, and feeling connected, or that you're not alone, is amazing. Farris also adds her advice in how to swaddle, singing funny lullabies, and asking about your day at dinner.

[Angela 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a 5 and almost 3 year old and I couldn't stop laughing and shaking my head at so much truth to this book. It made me realize how moms are on such different journeys but we can all relate to so much. There was a part about a NICU mom and it hit me hard. My youngest had open heart surgery at 5 days old on the day after Christmas and even though it's been nearly 3 years since that day, I can still remember everything about the NICU/CICU life. Thank you for this book and showing that moms can all relate to each other in so many ways and in the end we are all just doing our best to raise our children right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for the eARC. All options are my own.

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy for review!

This book is so cute! I was not previously familiar with any of Grace Farris’ work but I am definitely a fan now. Mom Milestones contains endearing and humorous illustrations from the pre-mommy stages up through being the parent of a school age.

As a mother of 3 children, ranging in age from 5-12, I found all of the author’s commentary to be absolutely spot on. Motherhood is as wild as it is joyful and it starts before the baby is even born. The book was very relatable for me. I really enjoy the style of the author’s art along with her quirky sense of humor.

Mom Milestones would make for an excellent baby shower or new mommy gift.

[☆ Katie ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a loyal fan of Grace Farris on Instagram for many years. I love her casual artistic and writing style, and her sense of humor is subtle but very effective. In the book, she depicts the first seven years of motherhood, from the mom's point of view. It's relatable, colorful, and thoroughly engaging. She intersperses glimpses of daily life with advice on how to navigate particularly challenging scenarios. She uses clever formats and illustrations that are enjoyable to read and easy to identify with. There is no judgment; just solidarity and support. This is an enjoyable read for mothers at any stage of their journey. The inclusion of adoptive mothers is a thoughtful addition and will appeal to an even wider audience.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to give a new mom (think baby shower present). It's illustrated so the reading level is easy (which is needed for a new mom!). It covers all aspects of being a new parent - all of the things you think you know and feel and even some that you don't yet know. You feel seen and understood as this book takes you through the joys and funny moments of parenthood. You'll laugh and cry and relate to something on every single page. The book starts with a newborn and takes you up through having an elementary school child (approx. 7 years old).
I loved it, loved the pictures and found myself nodding constantly. The perfect portrayal of parenthood!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of cute and accurate--sometimes painfully accurate--comics.

I got this for my wife, who blazed through it and really enjoyed it, so I thought I'd give it a read. Even as a dad, I found it enjoyable and relatable. I'm not trying to be grumpy, but I'm admitting that even though it isn't my favorite humor (which is totally fine because I'm not the target audience), I still smiled and chuckled a few times. If you think you might be interested, I encourage you to check out some comics on the author's Instagram, which is the absolutely wonderful handle of @coupdegracefarris.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know it at the time, but I had been following Grace Farris' work long before this graphic came out. Farris' work helped me explain the importance of hand washing in the Spring of 2020 to my children in a scientific and fun way.

This book does not disappoint. Farris does the same with motherhood- the good, the bad, and the oh-so-sweet parts. It is great that it was published before Mother's Day. This is a great book for any new mom, any mom that just may need a chuckle in their life... basically any parent no matter the child's stage in life.

***I received a free copy of this e-book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***

[Iris Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet illustrated book about the life of a mom from before birth to the elementary school years. I like that it describes what moms go through chronologically at each stage in a lighthearted way that normalizes all the mom feelings and thoughts. It’s easy to resonate with many of the drawings and I think would be a wonderful gift for a new mom.

However whimsical the illustrations are, I found it not as poignant or meaningful as some other illustrated books about motherhood such as Mumlife by Paula Kyla or Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman. Perhaps I just found some of the content not as original or didn’t resonate with as much of it as other books.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Receive d the book in exchange for a review via netgalley.
I was so surprised to find such a cute book about motherhood that made me enjoy every page. Illustrated, can't remember if I ever came across a parenting book with illustrations, usually it's tons of long texts that when you are a mother you either can't manage to finish reading or you fall asleep. It's so relatable,omg on some pages I was actually seeing myself. And it's funny, easygoing. I will definitely recommend it and buy it for my friends, it's so worth it.