Several months ago, bestselling author Julie Klam (author of titles like Please Excuse My Daughter, You Had Me At Woof, Love At First Bark, and Friendkeeping) graciously interviewed me to promote my book, Motherhood Comes Naturally. I owe her a huge thank you for her time, which I repaid by not sharing the interview until now—classic move, right? So, here it is, finally! And I highly encourage you to explore her works; they are truly delightful and often quite timely—qualities I’m still working on mastering!
1. In your wonderfully humorous recent book, you’ve structured the chapters around various misconceptions. One that stood out to me was “You Are Your Own Harshest Critic.” Which lie inspired you first?
That one flowed pretty easily! Just last week, my son Ben made a snarky comment about his brother Evan, who was having a particularly messy moment, saying he was the grossest thing he’d ever seen—mind you, he’s seen me without clothes! The lie “It Gets Easier” was the seed for the book. It’s so easy to tell a new mom, overwhelmed with the chaos, that things will improve. But let’s be real—those blissful days of a newborn just sleeping and needing basic care? That’s as good as it gets, folks. Sorry, new moms!
2. I enjoyed your amusing list of holidays that overshadow Mother’s Day. I noticed National Bologna Day falls right before my birthday—Erev Julie’s Birthday! What do you plan to do for Hairstyle Appreciation Day?
Being in Baltimore, I’m convinced that a bouffant is the only appropriate choice. We need to revitalize this under-celebrated occasion! Let’s make it a grand affair.
3. Your honesty as a mother is refreshing. Have you ever experienced a “scary mommy” moment that felt too intense to write about?
I dive pretty deep into those moments in the book! The scariest feelings arise when your child drives you to the brink of insanity—like you might just toss them against the wall. Before becoming a mom, I couldn’t have fathomed how you can love someone so fiercely and yet feel so frustrated. I hesitated to include that chapter, but I thought, if I don’t share these experiences, who will?
4. One of the sweet perks of motherhood is being able to judge others (gently, of course). I once witnessed a mom give her toddler sugar to keep him awake at a dinner party. Have you had any smug moments?
Oh, definitely! I once saw a mom in the grocery store at midnight with a hyper child sipping on a Coke. I couldn’t understand why a kid would be awake at that hour, let alone with a soda! Fast forward a few months later, and I found myself in a similar scenario, at a 24-hour pharmacy with my own son post-ER visit. Turns out, a soda was the recommended remedy for his stomach aches. Lesson learned: I try not to judge, because I’m sure someone’s judging me too.
5. I believe your book makes for a perfect gift for those who choose not to have children. What feedback have you received from that audience?
Oh, they adore me! They see my books and blog as a validation of their decisions. I like to think my writing serves as a very effective form of birth control. If teens could read my book, I’m convinced the rate of unplanned pregnancies would drastically decrease.
6. Recently, my daughter declared me the worst mother ever for denying her an app she had already downloaded. I used to think the worst mothers were those who made terrible choices, but now I’m not so sure. Who do you believe are the worst mothers?
Haha! I’ve been called the worst mother too—my daughter Lily told me that just last night for not letting her return to Justice for the third time this month! In kids’ eyes, the “worst” mothers are actually the best ones—the ones who care about their well-being, ensuring they don’t become reckless or overly disconnected from reality. But my kids often remind me that I “don’t understand ANYTHING,” so what do I know?
This interview originally appeared on June 20, 2013.
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In summary, connecting with Julie Klam reveals the humorous and often chaotic realities of motherhood. She tackles the relatable struggles that come with parenting while offering a fresh perspective that resonates with both mothers and those who choose not to have children.
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