Reader,

As I drove my 6-month old daughter to daycare, I felt like the worst mom in the world. The only reason she wasn't running a fever was because I gave her the maximum dose of Children's Tylenol before we left the house.

She should’ve been at home, cuddled up in bed. But I'd been on thin ice with my boss after three months of bedrest even before my she was born, and I couldn't afford to take the day off, let alone lose my job – the source of our family’s health insurance.

Later, as a single mom in one of the nation's most expensive cities, things got even tighter.

I'm not alone. So many moms out there are struggling. Going to bed every night feeling like they’re not enough. Like if only they were better, smarter, richer, everything would fall into place.

All the while blaming themselves when it's the system that's set us up to fail. A system that denies women equity in prenatal care, paid family and medical leave, quality affordable childcare, housing, food, and medical care, even safety from abusive partners. The list goes on and on.

Meanwhile, Mother's Day spending is expected to reach a record $38 billion this year.

Flowers, candles, brunch reservations, jewelry.

While millions of mothers sit awake at night trying to figure out how to keep a sick child home without risking the rent, the groceries, or their health insurance.

While thousands of mothers and children sit detained in American immigration facilities with moldy food, contaminated water, inadequate medical care, disease outbreaks, and more.

All because America loves the symbolism of motherhood far more than it loves actual mothers.

Books Are My Love Language 📚

While struggling through single parenting in one of America’s most expensive cities, I happened to run across a wonderful little book written by a woman in my own community.

​The Momarchy: A Single Mom's Guide to Guilt-Free Parenting! by Angela Toussaint was just what I needed to reframe my experience and cut myself some slack. And it’s only 157 pages, which matters when you’re already exhausted from living and caring for your kids to sit down and read a book.

Angela shares her own failures and successes, her commonsense approach to parenting, and how to enjoy raising our kids while living a joyful, passionate life. We’d never met before I read her book, but I felt like she wrote it just for me, and I’ve always been grateful.

Have you read it? Hit reply and let me know. It’s available to print on-demand at Lulu.

As Seen In... 📰

​While other moms carried their kids' backpacks, I handed mine a wrench. (Business Insider)

Weekly Journal Prompt ✍️

What's the hardest thing you did as a mother that no one ever acknowledged? What would it mean to finally acknowledge it yourself?

Write bravely, my friend. See you next week.

-Amber 🥰

PS. Do you know someone facing midlife and looking to build community? Share this page so she can sign up below.

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! 🙏