Women are human, too. And although they’ll read every pregnancy book they can get their hands on to their lesser half’s one, they can use a hug and a “you’ll be juuuust fine” from time to time. That’s the idea behind The New Mom From A to Z – to give expecting and new moms a well-earned stress break while delivering some helpful information with a smile, in a book that weighs less than The Bible. This does not pretend to be What to Expect When You’re Expecting, it’s more like Shit Happens and It’ll All Be OK.

Taking Mom from A Is for Answers (everyone you know ha at least one) to Z Is for Zippers (they’re not your friend), each entry is paired with a photo from areal mom giving a true-to-life look at the exciting, hormonal, and sometimes perplexing experience that is new motherhood.

The ups, the downs, and the soiled. That’s parenthood.