A few months back, New York Times bestselling author Julie Klam—known for Please Excuse My Daughter, You Had Me At Woof, Love At First Bark, and Friendkeeping—graciously interviewed me to help promote my book, Motherhood Comes Naturally. I intended to express my gratitude by sharing that interview, but, let’s just say, I may have dropped the ball on that one! So, in a classic “better late than never” fashion, I’m excited to present our chat. And trust me, you’ll definitely want to explore her works; she’s absolutely brilliant and timely, unlike me!
1. In your laugh-out-loud new book, the chapters focus on various myths. One of my favorites was “You Are Your Own Harshest Critic.” Which myth came to you first?
That one was a breeze to write. Just the other day, my son Ben told his utterly gross little brother, Evan, that he was the most disgusting thing he’d ever seen… and trust me, he’s seen me in all my glory! The myth “It Gets Easier” was the first spark. It’s so common to see a new mom struggling and feeling overwhelmed, and we often reassure her that things will improve. But honestly? Those days when newborns sleep more than they’re awake? That’s as simple as it gets! Sorry, new moms!
2. I enjoyed your playful list of holidays that overshadow Mother’s Day. I was tickled to see that National Bologna Day falls right before my birthday (Erev Happy’s Birthday). How do you plan to celebrate Hairstyle Appreciation Day?
Living in Baltimore, I believe a classic bouffant is a must! It’s such an underrated holiday; let’s revive it with flair!
3. You’re known for your honest portrayal of motherhood. Have you ever encountered a “scary mommy” moment that was too intense to include in your writing?
Oh, I get pretty raw in my book. One of the most terrifying feelings is when your child drives you to the brink—like you could just toss them against the wall! It’s a unique emotion that I never comprehended until I became a mom: how you can love someone so deeply yet feel an equal measure of frustration. I hesitated to include that chapter, but if I didn’t, who would?
4. One of the joys of motherhood is the opportunity to judge others. I once spotted a mom giving her toddler sugar to keep him awake at a dinner party. What’s your most smug moment?
Oh, I remember a mom in the grocery store at midnight with a hyper child sipping Coke. Seriously, what kid needs to be awake at that hour? But then I found myself in a similar situation a few months later, at a 24-hour pharmacy with my son just released from the ER. The doctor suggested soda to ease his stomach pains, so there I was, holding a Sprite for my four-year-old at 11:30 PM. Lesson learned: I try not to judge since I know someone else is probably judging me!
5. I genuinely believe your book is a great gift for those who have chosen not to have kids. What feedback have you received from that audience?
Oh, they adore me! They see my work as validation for their choices. I’d say it’s also a form of birth control: if every teen read my book, I bet unplanned pregnancies would plummet!
6. Recently, my daughter labeled me the worst mother for denying her an app she had likely downloaded before. I used to think the worst mothers were those who sold their kids for drugs, but now I’m not so sure. Who do you think qualifies as the worst mothers?
Oh, you’ve got the title of worst mother? Because my daughter told me the same thing last night for not letting her return to a store for the third time this month! From a child’s perspective, the “worst” moms are often the best ones: the ones who care about their kids’ well-being and encourage them to step outside for some fresh air. But my kids also tell me I “don’t understand anything,” so who am I to judge?
This article originally published on June 20, 2013.
If you’re eager for more parenting insights, consider exploring our other blog posts, like this one that dives deeper into related topics. We also recommend checking out Make A Mom for authoritative info on home insemination. Plus, News Medical has great resources related to pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, this conversation with Julie Klam reflects a humorous yet honest take on motherhood, addressing the common myths and challenges parents face while offering a relatable perspective that resonates with many.