If you have found Gwenna on Tiktok or Instagram you know how absolutely hilarious she is. This book is just as great as her social media content, but is actually so full of really great advice. I think every parent needs something like this to help them see the bright and funny side of life.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book. I loved it! I appreciate a raw/honest portrayal of parenting. Gwenna lays it out pretty honestly here, we are all human making mistakes and figuring out this parenting thing one day at a time. The best thing to read for a "how to" on parenting is someone who isn't giving you all the ways to be perfect but instead all the ways to be open to growth and learning. I will definitely recommend this one to my fellow parent friends - especially those in my age bracket because Gwenna speaks directly to readers/parents like us!

I don’t currently follow this author on social media (where she got her start in the world of being a parenting “unexpert”) but after reading this book I think I need to start.

There’s a lot of information on parenting out there, so much in fact that it can be overwhelming. What I liked most about this book is that the author clearly states that some of the techniques described might work for your family, but it’s okay if they don’t - and that YOU are the parenting expert on your child. I was drawn to this particular book because of the relatability & humor (sometimes cussing just makes things better) & I appreciated the chapter summaries - they really reinforced the points she was trying to get across. I also found the discussion of the nuances of parenting lingo (examples: responsive parenting is not permissive parenting, the difference between Mom Guilt & Mom Shame, & regulating emotions does not mean suppressing them) to be helpful. It also made me take a step back & think about my overall parenting goals, & I’d recommend it to anyone that feels like more emotional regulation would be helpful in their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I don't really read non-fiction in any capacity. In fact, most of the time I ignore the genre altogether because I find that my mind tends to wander easily and I can't focus on what I'm reading for long. Momma Cusses took me a while to get through, but I was able to stick it out until the end.

This book is a great pick for parents in that Gwenna Laithland is both honest and direct in what she has to say about raising her own children. It's not a How-To kind of book, but a letter from one parent to another on things that helped her, maybe it might help someone else, and moms helping moms is just amazing. We need more of that.

Me personally, I found the book both helpful and tiresome. Mostly, the chapters were easy to get through, with field guide notes/anecdotes talking about situations/incidents that happened with her and her kids, There's a TL;DR box at the end of each chapter that summarizes the basic things she's trying to say in that chapter. And lastly, the chapters are short and to the point.

My biggest complaint was that I found the humor incorporated into the writing to be rather blah. But other than that, I think this is a book that a lot of parents should take a look at. It helped me take a good long look at myself and how I raise my own children.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Pretty sure the last parenting book I read was What To Expect When You're Expecting: The Second Year, in 2018. I hadn't heard of Momma Cusses before receiving the ARC, so I had no clue what I was getting in to. I hadn't even heard of responsive parenting. But "Trying not to be the reason your kid needs therapy" sold me.

The 2nd person POV combined with "But Gwenna"…I kept hearing it in Jenna Moreci's "But Jenna" voice. But I assure you, that's where this parenting book's overlap with fantasy romance ends. 🤣

She says, "You didn't ask for my opinion, although you kinda did since you're reading my book," and that both cracked me up and opened my eyes. Reading a parenting book DOES mean looking for options and opinions. And thankfully, hers resonated with me.

Things that stuck out to me:

You may not be a parenting expert, but you are THE expert on your own kid.

Responsive parenting 🚫 permissive parenting.

Responsive parenting means regulating your own emotions, in order to model how your child can regulate theirs. Not losing your ish on your kid because they make a choice that they maybe shouldn't have/could have thought through more/you wouldn't have, etc, but allowing them age appropriate autonomy to make choices with natural consequences.

You can create boundaries with other adults that call upon emotional regulation, in the vein of what YOU need, not what they need. You cannot train an adult to emotionally regulate themselves by trying to parent them. You can help and encourage, but it's their job to do the work.

I underlined and drew brackets all over this book; highly recommend for anyone who wants to teach their kids to make responsible decisions with consequences in mind, and to handle their emotional. rollercoaster without flying off the tracks.

Thank you @macmillanusa, @stmartinsessentials
and Gwenna, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I stumbled across Laithland on my For You Page with her videos discussing her daughter’s chaos lunches. Many of her videos are relatable to this mom of two. When I learned she was writing a book, I was happy for her and knew I wanted to read it.

Momma Cusses is an easy read, none of that technical jargon many parenting books contain. Laithland uses the same language in her book as she uses in her videos. She’s down to earth, and no-nonsense. While some may find her use of some words offensive, the title of the book lets you know it’s there without ever reading a one page.

Who is this book for? Any parent or parent-like person who is trying to raise the next generation. Trust me, this is a book you will appreciate having read.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this!

I really enjoyed this down to Earth, easy to relate to, and irreverently toned parenting advice. As someone who struggles to be a "gentle parent" I felt very seen, even if I don't know that I saw much new or exciting.

Move over reality TV and let's enjoy reading something REAL. Gwenna Laithland is down to earth and funny in that way that only someone who has lived through some stuff and come out on the other side can be. I'd welcome her to my island of real and relatable mom friends forever.

Absolutely loved this book! I’ve followed Gwenna on TikTok for forever so when I saw her book, I knew I had to read it. There’s so much goodness packed into this book that has helped me be not only a better mom but a better person in general. 100 stars to this book!!!

thank you for net galley and st martins press for this copy. i found gwennas voice to be refreshing, fun and engaging. i appreciated the TLDR notes at the end of each chapter. this book will help me be a better person to other people. it taught me some regulation (co regulation but it would help if i did it just by myself!) techniques as well as other tools i think will be useful

(3.5/5 stars) Every so often when I scroll through Instagram reels, I see reels from Gwenna Laithland on parenting and how to endeavor to be a responsive parent, not a reactive parent. Though I don't have any kids (for the goodreads lurkers, don't take this as a pregnancy announcement!) I found this book helpful not only for thinking about how I would interact with children but also thinking about myself - recognizing and responding to my own emotions, giving myself grace, and breaking unhealthy cycles that previous generations thought was just normal. Is Laithland an expert? No - and she's the first one to tell you that. She encourages readers to take what is useful and leave behind what is not. After all, you are the expert on your own children and experience. I appreciated the humor and straightforward nature of the book; Laithland makes suggestions that are realistic and implementable.

I think the part that stuck with me most was the importance of apologizing and asking for forgiveness - no parent, no human, is perfect and the example parents set when they recognize their mistakes, apologize, and attempt to do better, is refreshing in a world where it seems that parenting strategies have to be perfect or you're a failure as a parent (Laithland's discussion differentiating between parent guilt and parent shame is good for this).

I have followed Gwenna Laithland on tiktok since quarantine. She was probably the first person I ever heard about gentle parenting from. At the time of quarantine, I had a 1 year old and 3 year old boys of my own and a house full of kids (teens) that were not mine biologically, but I was in charge of. I was so thankful for the parenting advice. Fast forward to 2023 as I sit and read her book. My boys are now 5 & 7. I didn't grow up with gentle parenting. I've spent many years trying to rewire my brain to parent in a way that I can only hope will be successful and healthy for my boys. The topics in Momma Cusses speak to my heart and soul. I just told a friend today that I feel I could read this book yearly and get something different and helpful each time. There are parts of this book that I'm going to copy and hang up where I see them regularly to commit to memory because they are just that impactful and I believe bennificial to me becoming a more gentle parent. I love that Gwenna speaks from the heart and in no way makes the reader feel condemned for their current situations or reactions to their children. The way each chapter is written is as if you are sitting with the author over a cup of coffee just having a chat. She tells funny stories and gives advice and examples. This book was exactly what I needed and often wished for when it came to parenting books. I look forward to picking up this book again and again as my kids get older, and as I truly believe, personal growth will follow reading these pages. Thank you, Gwenna, for the time you've given to put your thoughts to paper for us parents looking for a healthier way to raise our kids. Thank you, Netgalley, for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review. 5 Stars

Originally, I put in for this book because I thought in was about a Mom giving humorous stories about raising her kids. I did not even realize responsive parenting was a thing to do. So, really this was my error. I am older and had my daughter when social media was just starting to become all consuming. I decided to continue though, mostly wondering if all this Expert Advice is helping Moms or raising the bar of stress exponentially. I thought it was high enough when I had a child. Fortunately, the author states she is not a parenting expert and actually you, the actual parent have the best sense of what is best for your child. I took from this that responsive parenting focuses first on us parents practicing regulating our own emotions so we have a steady approach with our kids. If we can behave this way, our children we learn helpful tools to deal with their own emotions. I did find the author to be funny and she tries not to take herself too seriously which was refreshing. I am still glad I got through before Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok, Pinterest, and probably several other Social Platforms that I just think is overall damaging to Moms. So, this book is good, but having to sift through so much social media just seems stressful currently. I do thank the author for helping moms have a bit of a break from all these experts coming at them from all directions. Her advice seems caring and sensible.

Thank you NetGalley, Gwenna Laithland, and St. Martins Press for granting me this book. I always leave reviews for any book I read.

Let me start by saying I adore Gwenna! She’s kind, relatable, understanding, and incredibly funny; she makes life and raising kids seem less scary and overwhelming. She’s simply a safe place. Her parenting advice is not just helpful, it’s life-changing. I wasn’t raised by gentle parents, and my parents certainly weren’t raised by gentle parents — and I may never be a truly gentle parent but I know I am trying. Gwenna, you are a gem and a light of hope and laughter 🫶🏻

This book was as hysterical as it was informative. Gwenna doesn't claim to be a parenting expert. In fact, she makes it very clear, multiple times, that the only parenting expert is YOU, the parent. But, she's got some funny stories and some interesting revelations that can help us along the way. And yes, she cusses. A lot. But honestly, it just makes her even more relatable. Because seriously, if you're parenting and you're NOT cussing....are you even REAL?!

She introduces us to responsive parenting, which is pretty different from the way many of us are raised. It's essentially "gentle parenting", but it's not "permissive parenting" because yes, there's a difference.

This book was great at giving advice without making you feel like you're stupid or that you are failing. She makes everything relatable and lets us know that making mistakes is a huge part of parenting and as long as we are honest about those mistakes and apologize for them, everything will turn out okay.

I definitely recommend this for parents or parents-to-be!

"Mama Cusses" by Gwenna Laithland is a refreshingly honest, uproariously funny, and profoundly relatable journey through the trials and tribulations of modern motherhood. Laithland, with her razor-sharp wit and unapologetic honesty, offers a candid look at the realities of parenting that is both hilariously entertaining and deeply comforting. This book is a rare gem that manages to tackle the complexities of being a mom while making you laugh out loud, often at the very same time.

What sets "Mama Cusses" apart is Laithland's ability to blend humor with heartfelt insights. Her stories and observations are as likely to provoke thoughtful reflection as they are to induce belly laughs. She writes with a self-deprecating humor that is both endearing and relatable, inviting readers into her world with open arms and a knowing smile. Her tales of parenting mishaps, successes, and everything in between resonate with a genuine warmth and authenticity that is often missing in discussions about motherhood.

Laithland’s writing is a masterclass in finding the joy and humor in the messiness of life. She doesn’t shy away from the challenges and frustrations of motherhood, but instead embraces them, offering solidarity and understanding to her readers. "Mama Cusses" is like a conversation with a good friend who knows exactly what you’re going through and can find the humor in even the most trying moments.

The book is also notable for its inclusivity and broad appeal. Whether you’re a new parent navigating sleepless nights for the first time or a seasoned pro juggling the demands of a growing family, "Mama Cusses" has something for everyone. Laithland's anecdotes and advice cut across the diverse spectrum of maternal experiences, making this book a welcoming space for all moms.

Moreover, "Mama Cusses" does an exceptional job of highlighting the strength, resilience, and incredible capacity for love that defines motherhood. Laithland's stories are a powerful reminder of the importance of taking life one day at a time and finding the humor in the chaos. Her book is not just entertaining; it's a source of encouragement and empowerment, reminding readers of the beauty and reward of raising children, despite the inevitable challenges.

In essence, "Mama Cusses" by Gwenna Laithland is a must-read for anyone navigating the wild ride of parenthood. It’s a book that will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and feel seen in a way that few books on parenting ever achieve. Laithland has crafted a loving tribute to the rollercoaster of motherhood, filled with laughter, love, and the occasional swear word. It’s a heartfelt, hilarious, and ultimately uplifting read that is sure to become a beloved companion for moms everywhere.

I was really looking forward to this one but I just couldn't get on board with it. It felt like the author was trying way too hard to seem relatable. I know she mentioned she tried to hard to be funny because she thinks she's funny, and I do agree that she tries to hard but it definitely didn't hit every time. This just wasn't for me.

3.5 stars
This was an interesting parenting book, from the perspective of a mom with a big TikTok following (although I hadn't heard of her before). As such, this is a lot of real world/own experience info, with very few "expert" citations.
The book is focused on emotionally aware and responsive parenting, and covers things like boundaries, mom guilt vs mom shame, saying no (both parent and kid), yelling vs being loud, and various reasons for having a meltdown. The chapters have fun names, but I unfortunately didn't find that they were always very helpful at knowing what the topic was.
I loved that the chapters weren't too long, the tone was like a conversation with a friend, and each chapter ended with a TL;DR box to sum up the main points. The final chapter also has a bunch of co-regulation ideas for helping your child calm themselves.
Good book for what it is and the topics it focuses on, but definitely not an all encompassing parenting guide if that's what you're looking for.

I enjoyed this book and then being a tic toc/social media she's funny and her relationship with her children. I enjoyed reading her thoughts and her perspective being included adds credibility. This is a great read. This book is uplifting, inspiring, and funny.
Thank you Gwenna Laithland, St Martins Press, and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

I am so happy that I got this arc. I love Gwenna! I've raised my kids but it's never too late to learn to better communicate with them. Plus, it's preparing us all for how we choose to raise the next generation. Gwenna"s personality and common sense approach are what we need.