Balance Is Bullsh*t: The Truth About Motherhood and Self-Care

Beach, a parent of eight, counsels mothers on the importance of prioritizing themselves, not just their children, in her down-to-earth debut handbook. Mothers often struggle to incorporate self-care into packed schedules dictated by children’s needs, Beach explains. She recommends making a list of the “motherload,” the tasks that mothers take on in their households, then determining which ones can be outsourced (for example, a mom who dislikes cooking might find it beneficial to use food delivery services). Beach says that prioritizing one’s own needs doesn’t have to be complex; self-care can be as simple as deciding not to join the PTA or instituting nightly 10-minute cleanup sessions where all household members contribute. Parenting takes a village, Beach writes, encouraging readers to create intentional community to lessen isolation and burnout. She includes space for readers to write down the names of individuals who can provide support and what that might look like, such as grandparents who babysit once a week. While Beach’s suggestions aren’t particularly groundbreaking, her compassion for fellow mothers shines through. Overworked moms will feel seen. (Nov.)