A Good Mom's Guide to Making Bad Choices

By: Jamilah Mapp, Erica Dickerson

Narrated by: Jamilah Mapp, Erica Dickerson

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The creators of the beloved podcast Good Moms Bad Choices challenge outdated notions of what being a “good” mother truly means—inviting moms of all kinds to embark on a healing journey that unlearns old scripts about motherhood and shows that you can be a little bad, and still do a lot of good for your kids and yourself.

They are everywhere on social media. Images of perfect, pleasant women with perfect, pretty children in perfect, tidy homes—the epitome of “good” moms. But this model of motherhood is an illusion that far too many women either measure themselves against or simply cannot relate to in the first place. Enter Jamilah Mapp and Erica Dickerson: if you are sex-positive, cannabis-friendly, and love sharing NSFW stories with your fellow mom friends, you’re not doing anything wrong and you are definitely not a bad mother. And Jamilah and Erica are your tribe.

These two best friends, single mothers, and creators of the Good Moms Bad Choices podcast are here to remind every woman that you can be a good mom despite not fitting the “perfect mom” standard. In this much-needed book, part memoir, part guide, and part manifesto, they bring the refreshing honesty and down-to-earth humor of their podcast to the stories of their own journeys as mothers, offering women insight and tools they can use to recognize their own past traumas, find a way to healing, and break free from unrealistic expectations of what it means to be a good parent.

Jamilah and Erica take us through their own journeys as single mothers raising children, being in (and falling out of) relationships, making mom friends, and, ultimately, finding themselves as they learned to redefine motherhood on their own terms. Uncensored, unapologetic, empathetic, and no-holds-barred, A Good Mom’s Guide to Making Bad Choices takes an unconventional and much-needed approach to motherhood that recognizes that moms are vibrant, sexual, creative beings with needs and desires that deserve to be acknowledged and respected. It’s a breath of fresh air for all moms today.

©2023 Jamilah Mapp and Erica Dickerson (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

A beautiful authentic book

This book was so beautifully written. I cannot thank you both enough for helping me to find my tribe. Thank you for your podcast & good vibe retreat. You both have always shown me that I am not alone.

Get your read on muva’s!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and seeing how even when coming from different backgrounds and circumstances we are all the same in this motherhood journey. Thank you for the authenticity!

❤️❤️❤️Great Book!

I love this book!!! Raw unapologetic truth!!! Thankyou for the confidence in motherhood! Amazing & heartfelt

What a beautiful story

I really don’t have the words to describe how great this book is, I listen and purchased the book because both women deserve their flowers, to navigate in a space where black women are frowned upon for being free like it wasnt our born right to be. Thanks for being unapologetically yourselves . Thanks for your words .

This Generation’s What to Expect if you’re Expecting

I really wanted to find a moment to truly take the time to say what I wanted to say individually to each of you and then collective to both of you.

Milah : I resonates so much in general with your frame you are so beautiful, so petite and you are literally a bursting ball of energy everything about you just radiate positivity and I love that you are a cancer because you feel so deeply and you care so much and that is why you are so unapologetically you I have had the pleasure to have many cancerian women in my life so I know that whoever you hold space for, that person is truly held, loved and cared for by you. Domestic abuse is something I know all too well and I cannot wait to one day be or feel chosen by one of you to be able to share my story because it’s true “Your mess is your message” and I mirror your energy when I need confidence, charm and spice.

Erica :
Oh my god your “spoiled little girl” vibes make me tingle! You are such a naturally bougie goddess and you know it because you deserve I am so in love with your energy and your ability to truly navigate cultures, energies and experiences! I can tell that you’re the most protective one in the group because you have a very strong lioness energy I can see a Leo placement somewhere in your chart because if your sensual yet gentle fierceness. You maybe also a water sign but you somehow keep this duo grounded.

Your entity is one of a kind. It’s rare, it’s powerful and it’s so sacred. It’s as if 2 women lived a life that allowed my soul to exist somewhere in between, it’s resonance and just like Milah mentioned the umbilical cord for the men, I believe that on the metaphysical level, we never detach from our mothers umbilical cord, and so if we were to look at the world right now, it would be covered up like a rubber band balls, and those rubber band balls work as a spiritual highways and our stories and connections travel like Neurotransmitters throughout the world that connects us; rather that is through music, a meal or recipe passed down, reading a book, watching the same sunset or looking at the moon, we resonate with these things, because we are all a part of the great I am.

I found a journal entry from 10 years ago when I had first awakened from my spiritual slumber, and I recognize that I was so alone in this world, and 10 years later, a tribe has been formed before me that I will soon be able to manifest my entry into by attending one of the good vibes retreat I will meet you both. I will cry and I will hug you so deeply because it will be like meeting sisters from another life and another time . Thank you so much.

Brutally honest

Loved this book! I feel so inspired by Erica and Milah’s commitment to living in their truth and embracing the duality of being a woman and good mom. Well done!

My new fav!!! Glad I purchased with Audible.

I'm so glad I decided to purchase this book on Audible. These women are great storytellers and listening to them tell their own story was a great decision. It was like having the most honest raw conversation with your very best friend. So many people can relate to this book. These women discuss topics that can be hard to share with just anyone. Most people hesitate to share similar experiences for fear of being negatively judged by others. We have all been met with struggles in motherhood. We all have to find our own way. This book is just a reminder to be kind to yourself on your journey. I want to buy a hard copy to add to my library.

If you’re looking for a truly unapologetic and authentic book

I love listening to authors tell their stories and I especially love when I can connect and see myself right along with them. There were so many moments where I felt seen and no alone on this journey. I appreciate you Erica and Milah!!

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

I’m in love, I’ve listened to it twice in like two weeks! This is a woman’s bible!

great read

I really enjoyed reading this book. As a mother, you always wonder if you're doing it right. This book reminded me that I can show up for myself and still be a great mother.