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In Praise of Psycho Housewives, Stage Parents, Momfluencers, and Other Women We Love to Hate
by Ej Dickson
For fans of the witty and evocative writing of Anne Helen Petersen and Amanda Montell, a sharply clever exploration of what it means to be a "bad mom" by delving into the world of momfluencers, stage moms, trad wives, and more.
We all have an idea what it means to be a good mom: little screen time, kids hitting their milestones, endless patience and understanding, and self-sacrifice on behalf of one's children. But what does it mean to be a "bad mom" in modern society? Women as wide-ranging as Meghan Markle, Hannah Neelman (of Ballerina Farm), and anyone giving birth over forty, have been labeled "bad moms." In a world where the rules are constantly changing, it feels like women simply cannot win.
With this in mind, in her first book, Ej Dickson takes a sharp, provocative look at one of society's most polarizing labels: the "bad mom." What makes a mother "bad," and why? Through the lens of pop culture and American history, Ej Dickson explores how this trope has evolved—from Victorian "angels in the house" to the infamous Mommie Dearest, from Instagram influencers like EmRata and Mormon momfluencers to fictional icons like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Each chapter dives into a different archetype of so-called bad motherhood—like the Stage Mom, the Tiger Mom, the MILF, the MLM hun—challenging us to rethink our assumptions about femininity, parenting, and societal expectations. Drawing on insightful analysis and interviews, Dickson unpacks why our culture is obsessed with vilifying moms and how issues of race and class shape these narratives. Are bad moms truly "bad," or do they simply defy norms we don't fully understand—or fear?
This isn't just cultural commentary—it's a clarion call. Because if we really take a close look, we might find that some of the women we've reviled throughout history are due for a reassessment—and in doing so, moms today may take some much-needed pressure off themselves. One Bad Mother invites moms everywhere to stop chasing impossible standards, reclaim their autonomy, and maybe—just maybe—enjoy motherhood for what it is, not what it's "supposed" to be.
Thoughtful, eye-opening, and downright funny at times, One Bad Mother is a vital exploration of modern motherhood.
"This provocative critique will challenge readers' assumptions about motherhood." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A humorous and potent takedown of the criticism awaiting mothers at—and between—every extreme." —Kirkus Reviews
"Dickson writes with a refreshing absence of personal woebegoneness, and with empathy even for mothers whose practices and preferences differ vastly from her own." —The New Yorker
"Smart, spiky, and straight-up necessary, One Bad Mother undresses the landmined label 'bad mom' with wit and receipts. Ej Dickson turns our favorite moral panics into a clear-eyed invitation to ditch impossible standards and parent like a person." —Amanda Montell, NYT-bestselling author of Wordslut, Cultish, and The Age of Magical Overthinking
"One Bad Mother is brilliant, razor-sharp, and hilarious. It will completely transform your views of motherhood. It's deeply researched and insightful, and expertly dismantles the idea of the "perfect mom." Dickson mixes real stories, pop culture, and smart commentary in a way that feels revealing but totally relatable. She writes with heart, wit, and a kind of honesty that feels like talking to your smartest, funniest, most insightful friend. This book is perfect for any mother, father, soon-to-be parent, or reader with an interest in our cultural views on motherhood. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!" —Taylor Lorenz, journalist and bestselling author of Extremely Online
This information about One Bad Mother was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Ej Dickson is a senior writer at New York magazine's The Cut. She previously worked as a senior writer for Rolling Stone and her writing has also been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, GQ, Elle, and many others. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. Visit EjDickson.com for more information.
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