Meet Ashley Keller. In another life she was working as a marketing executive and climbing the corporate ladder. Now she’s an overwhelmed stay at home mom to eight month old Aubrey. Ashley, of course, loves her daughter, but will she ever get her mama mojo going or is she destined to be a hot mess mom? Ashley’s journey to being a better mom is depicted in Bunmi Laditan’s novel Confessions of a Domestic Failure.
Ashley desperately wants to be a good mom, but she feels like a major screw up. She hasn’t lost the baby weight, she can’t bottle feed, and when it comes to having sexy time with her husband David, well, Ashley would prefer a good night’s sleep. And the fact that David is trying to launch his advertising business and working crazy long hours isn’t helping matters.
Mothers have struggled with feelings of inadequacy since time began. But in the modern day of social media and mommy expert influencers, feelings of inadequacy have increased tenfold. How can mothers compete with Instagram images of designer-clad mamas with adorable toddlers and Pinterest boards featuring homemade gourmet meals and fancy crafts?
For inspiration and in hope of improving her mothering skills, Ashley looks up to Emily Walker, a mommy influencer extraordinaire! Ashley reads Emily’s blog religiously and is a devoted viewer of of Emily’s TV show. Ashley is also engrossed in Emily’s new book Motherhood Better and is valiantly soaking up Emily’s words of wisdom.
When Ashley finds out about Emily’s Motherhood Better Bootcamp she quickly enters and becomes one of the lucky winners. Ashley is thrilled and thinks this is the ticket to motherhood greatness. It’s one things to follow Emily and watch her show, but to be mentored by the maternal goddess herself! Wow! Jackpot! And Ashley is also pretty stoked about going on Emily’s Motherhood Better retreat and possibly winning a huge cash prize.
Emily connects with Ashley and the other moms in the boot camp via several video chats. All of the moms try to excel in the tasks and challenges laid before them by Emily. Despite giving these tasks and challenges her all, Ashley feels like she’s screwing up and compares herself to the other moms in the group who seem to be doing a much better job. Ashley also tries to make mom friends in her community and inadvertently joins a group for breastfeeding moms. What’s going to happen once they find out she doesn’t breast feed Aubrey?
After the boot camp ends the moms collect themselves at the retreat. And this is where things get a big out of hand. And it’s also where Ashley and the other moms realize things aren’t always as they seem. Perhaps, Emily isn’t as perfect as she comes across on her blog and her TV show. But is she a monster? No. She’s just a mom going through what countless other moms go through. Nobody, even mommy influencers, is perfect.
Ashley and the other moms, including Emily, learn an important lesson-go easy on themselves and each other. They’re doing the best they can do as mothers, wives, and women.
Confessions of Domestic Failure is an entertaining story featuring a mom who is flawed but has the best of intentions. I think a lot of moms will relate to Ashley’s foibles and find solace in her struggles. And they’ll also cheer when Ashley has her triumphs.
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