Motherf*cked: How to Stop Your Mother's Toxic Drama from Ruining Your Life

For anyone whose mother is the reason they're in therapy, this primer on problematic moms offers a super relatable modern approach to dealing and healing.

For some, moms are their bestie, their bedrock, and their first call when things go wrong (or right). Meanwhile, the rest of us send our moms to voicemail more often than not and maybe even dread Mother's Day weekend.

Whether your mom is absent, too present, or sometimes just tough to be around, Motherf*cked empowers you to move safely through the maternal minefield. Drawing on interviews with licensed mental health experts and her own perfect attendance in therapy, mental health and wellness journalist Ashley Oerman digs into the repercussions of these painful dynamics. She offers tried-and-true tips for coming to terms with--and taking control of--your relationship with your mom.

In Motherf*cked you'll find expert-backed tips and tools to...

Understand why and how your relationship with your mom impacts your mental health, attachment style, and adult relationships Spot signs of dysfunction, like generational trauma, narcissism, and emotional immaturity Productively process feelings through light-hearted, helpful tools like "Choose Your Own Sadventure" Set healthy boundaries (the book's "Boundary Concierge" can help!) and decide if going low- or no-contact is right for you Prepare for the drama that comes with breaking unhealthy patterns or ending a problematic relationship with your mom

Validating and darkly funny, Motherf*cked creates space to sort through the mess, drama, and trauma of your maternal history, so you can finally find some motherf*cking peace.

Author: Ashley Oerman
Publisher: Benbella Books
Published: 04/28/2026
Pages: 264
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
ISBN13: 9781637748619
ISBN10: 1637748612
BISAC Categories:
- Family & Relationships | Dysfunctional Families
- Self-Help | Personal Growth | Self-Esteem
- Health & Fitness | Mental Health

About the Author
Ashley Oerman is a reporter, writer, and editor with a focus on health, wellness, and lifestyle content at brands like Cosmopolitan, where she was the brand's lifestyle director. During her nearly five years at Cosmopolitan, Ashley's work was nominated for a National Magazine Award for personal service. She's also held editorial positions at Women's Health magazine and Parents.

Now, as the deputy editor at Wondermind, a mental health-centered media company founded by Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefey, she edits and writes deeply helpful, easy-to-understand mental health content and develops the brand's editorial strategy. Since 2012, her work has reached millions of eyes across the US and internationally.