Book cover of Ordinary Insanity

Book description

A groundbreaking exposé and diagnosis of the silent epidemic of fear afflicting new mothers, and a candid, feminist deep dive into the culture, science, history, and psychology of contemporary motherhood
 
Anxiety among mothers is a growing but largely unrecognized crisis. In the transition to mother­hood and the years that follow,…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Ordinary Insanity as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love the way Sarah Menkedick draws from her experience as a first-time mom and researcher of mothers suffering from perinatal conditions and institutional racism to illustrate the ways living a fear-based life has become normalized in American motherhood. I was encouraged to read her candid discussion about the paralyzing anxieties new moms face while trying to meet unrealistic societal expectations. 

I appreciated her keep-it-real speak regarding mothers’ feelings of anguish that go beyond the category of “postpartum depression” in the years that follow childbirth. This book really helped me feel less alone, especially as a mom from a historically…

From Shanita's list on BYE to fear and HELLO to courage.

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