Motherhood: a blissful, chaotic journey that will make you laugh, cry, and question your life choices—sometimes all in one day. If you’re a mom, aspiring mom, or simply a fan of hilarious stories about parenthood, these books will give you a good laugh and a reminder that you’re not alone in the madness. Check out these funny books about motherhood for the kind of relatable parenting humor we all need in our lives. (Dads too.)
What qualifies me (someone who is not a mom and biologically incapable of becoming one) to recommend funny books for moms? Not much. But I do have a mother, I’m married to a mother of three, and I consider myself a self-proclaimed expert on funny books. So really, tracking down hilarious books about motherhood is not that much of a stretch for my talents and abilities.
| Title | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birdie & Harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids (…Until I Did) | Taylor Wolfe | A humorous and heartfelt memoir about loving a dog (Harlow) so much that it made the author hesitant about motherhood—until she changed her mind. |
| Toddlers are A**holes (It’s Not Your Fault) | Bunmi Laditan | Hilarious and brutally honest look at the insanity of raising toddlers. Funny, relatable, and real. “Colorful” language and “mature” content throughout. |
| The Grass is Greener over the Septic Tank | Erma Bombeck | A classic blend of wit and wisdom, Bombeck humorously tackles the trials and tribulations of suburban motherhood. An O.G. of Mom/Wife humor. |
| Rage Against the Minivan: Learning to Parent Without Perfection | Kristen Howerton | Howerton, a mom of four, shares her experiences navigating adoption, marriage, faith, and the chaos of raising kids—all while rejecting the idea that moms have to have it all together. |
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1. Birdie & Harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids (…Until I Did) – Taylor Wolfe
- Author: Taylor Wolfe
- Release Date: September, 2023
- Genre: Memoir, Humor, Motherhood & Parenting
- Learn More About the Author: THE DAILY TAY – Just blogging it out
Birdie and Harlow Overview:
This memoir is part love letter to a dog (Harlow), part reluctant journey into motherhood, and entirely hilarious. Taylor Wolfe shares her deep bond with her dog and her initial resistance to the idea of having kids—until life had other plans. With humor and heart, she navigates grief, unexpected change, and the sometimes-terrifying leap into parenting.
- Themes:
- Love and attachment to pets as family
- Fear of and transition into motherhood
- Grief, healing, and personal growth
- Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember that? Written during that time…
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Book for Moms:
- Sharp, self-deprecating humor – Wolfe hilariously documents her obsession with her dog (who “talks” in the book) and her initial horror at the idea of having kids.
- Relatability – Even non-dog people will laugh at how she treats Harlow like her firstborn.
- Wolfe is literally a comedian — Her craft shines through.
2. Toddlers Are A**holes – Bunmi Laditan
- Author: Bunmi Laditan
- Release Date: April 2015
- Genre: Humor, Parenting Guide / Satire, Nonfiction
- Learn More About the Author: Home | Bunmi Laditan
Toddlers are A**holes Overview:
A brutally honest (and incredibly funny) survival guide for parents trapped in the toddler years. Bunmi Laditan breaks down the tiny tyrants who rule households everywhere, offering a sarcastic yet painfully accurate look at toddler behavior. From epic meltdowns to their baffling logic, this book is a must-read for anyone in the trenches of parenting. It’s one of the funniest books about motherhood for those who need to laugh through the chaos. Note – the colorful language and mature content are for adult ears/eyes only!
- Themes
- The chaos of raising toddlers
- Brutally honest parenting struggles
- Humor as a coping mechanism for exhaustion
- Embracing imperfection in parenting (often bashing the fictitious “Sanctimonious Parent”)
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Book for Moms:
- Sarcastic, no-holds-barred humor – Calls out toddlers for what they truly are: tiny, unreasonable dictators who demand snacks and chaos.
- Hilariously accurate parenting struggles – Covers battles like getting a toddler into a car seat and their talent for public meltdowns.
- A cathartic read for exhausted parents – If you’ve ever considered hiding in the pantry to eat cookies alone, this book gets you.
- Swears. Lots and lots of swears – Likely would be rated “R” for R-eally, R-eally hilarious.
3. The Grass is Greener Over the Septic Tank – Erma Bombeck
- Author: Erma Bombeck
- Release Date: January 1976
- Genre: Humor, Satire, Essays / Observational Comedy
- Learn More About the Author: Erma Bombeck Collection
The Grass is Greener Over the Septic Tank Overview:
A classic take on suburban family life, Erma Bombeck’s book is a sharp, witty satire about the so-called “idyllic” American dream of the 1950s and ‘60s. With her signature humor, she pokes fun at the expectations of parenthood, marriage, and life in the suburbs. This is one of the original funny books about motherhood, proving that raising kids (and surviving the suburbs) has always been a comedy of errors.
- Themes
- The realities of suburban family life
- Satire on the “perfect” American household
- Parenting with humor and self-deprecation
- Nostalgia for a simpler (but still ridiculous) time
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Book for Moms:
- Classic, dry wit – Bombeck pokes fun at the idealized suburban mom lifestyle, showing how “perfection” is a joke.
- Timelessly relatable – PTA meetings, nosy neighbors, and over-the-top parenting still rings true today.
- Lighthearted but smart – A mix of satire and observational humor that feels like a conversation with your funniest, most cynical mom friend.
4. Rage Against the Minivan: Learning to Parent Without Perfection – Kristen Howerton
- Author: Kristen Howerton
- Release Date: June 2020
- Genre: Memoir, Humor, Parenting & Family Life
- Learn More About the Author: Home | Kristen Howerton
Rage Against the Minivan Overview:
Kristen Howerton tackles the pressure to be the “perfect” mom with refreshing honesty and humor. Howerton covers everything from infertility, adoption, race, marriage, faith and the unrealistic expectations placed on modern parents. She reminds moms that it’s okay to be imperfect. If you’re looking for funny and relatable books about motherhood that rejects the Pinterest-perfect ideal, this one is a must-read.
- Themes
- Rejecting unrealistic parenting expectations
- Balancing work, family, and personal identity
- Infertility and adoption
- Race and social justice issues
- Pressures of being a pastor’s wife
- Why It’s a Noteworthy Funny Book for Moms:
- Honest, laugh-through-the-tears humor – Highlights the impossible balancing act of modern motherhood.
- Calls out unrealistic mom culture – Tackles everything from Pinterest mom pressure to parenting “hot takes” on social media.
- A mix of comedy and real talk – Perfect for moms who want both humor and heartfelt insight in their parenting books.
- Poop anecdotes – Always a good, relatable laugh.
Conclusion: Funny Books About Motherhood
Motherhood doesn’t always have to be serious and sentimental. Sometimes, you just need to laugh at the mess and the endless moments of little tyrants running your household. These hilarious books for Moms capture the humor, honesty, and relatability of parenting in a way that only those who’ve experienced it can truly appreciate. Whether you’re in the thick of toddler tantrums or reminiscing about your pet-parent days, these reads will give you a good laugh and remind you that no one has this whole parenting thing figured out. Trust me—despite my lack of firsthand mom experience, I know a funny book about motherhood when I read one.
Did I miss any funny books about Motherhood? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to read and to add to this list!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
