2020 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards: Gold Medal in Non-Fiction – Anthology
2020 National Indie Excellence Awards: Finalist in Parenting and Family
2020 International Book Awards, Winner in Women’s Issues
2020 International Book Awards, Finalist in Anthologies: Non-Fiction
2020 IPPY Awards Silver Winner in Women's Issues
2019 Kirkus Reviews' Best Indie Book Awards—Best Indie Nonfiction
2019 Best Book Awards Winner in Women's Issues
2019 Best Book Awards Finalist in Multicultural Non-Fiction
2019 Best Book Awards Finalist in Anthologies (Non-Fiction)
“Readers will be able to revisit these essays for laughs, inspiration, or a cathartic cry. An engaging tribute to the heart, soul, and ingenuity of solo moms.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“ . . . a unique, remarkable, entertaining, insightful, informative, and ultimately inspiring collection of real life stories by real life single mothers. An inherently fascinating read, We Got This is unreservedly recommended for community library collections.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Remember when adults asked your younger self, ‘Who’s your hero?’ and you named your favorite president or pop star? After reading We Got This, I dare you not to revisit that question. The 75 diverse single mothers in this extraordinary collection have married their fierce love for their children with their fierce skills as writers. Their voices whisper and bellow, protest and rejoice, hum and sing. Collectively, they announce: single moms are our unsung heroes.”
—Alma Gottlieb, coauthor of A World of Babies: Imagined Childcare Guides for Eight Societies
“We Got This is fierce love meets fear meets wonder. I savored these poems and essays, which are full of humor and heartbreak, wisdom and humanity. These pieces will help any mother—single or not—to feel inspired and supported, seen and understood, as she navigates this tremendous thing called motherhood.”
—Kate Hopper, author of Ready for Air: A Journey Through Premature Motherhood and Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers
“The voices in We Got This are touching, vulnerable, hilarious, insightful, bold, strong, resilient, and brilliant. Whether you are facing single motherhood, you are a single mom, or you love one, this book is a mirror to the special life experience of solo mothering—and solo thriving.”
—Emma Johnson, Founder, Wealthysinglemommy.com, author of The Kickass Single Mom
“We Got This is a reunion of survivors. No 'how-to' here, just a loving village of women who have been there, who are still there, and who reach out a hand to you, single mom, to help you get your bearings. Within these pages, you will find encouraging strength and the promise of finding your own joy.”
—M. M. De Voe, Founder, Director, Pen Parentis, Ltd
“Isolated, scared, sad, and hopeless are some of the emotions I felt when I was going through my divorce eleven years ago. I had two small children and no family living near me, and I had never felt so alone. I wish I could have read We Got This back then. Reading this book made me feel like I had friends, women who understand me, who care about me, and who are here for me, and like no matter what, everything is going to be OK!”
—Jackie Pilossoph, Creator, Divorced Girl Smiling, "Love Essentially" Columnist for Chicago Tribune Media Group
“The collection of stories in We Got This is a beautifully crafted testament to the universe of solo motherhood that connects women who feel like strangers, in the most intimate of ways.”
—Deborah Gruenfeld, Professor and Co-Director, Executive Program in Women’s Leadership, Stanford University
“We Got This is a terrific collection of voices of solo moms—and their kids. The laments and triumphs of these mothers filled me with awe and laughter, and made me proud to belong to the human race.”
—Sari Wilson, author of Girl Through Glass
“We Got This brings hope, light, joy and humor to the seemingly dark road of being a solo mom—a job that we often don’t choose and that we can’t quit. The stories shared in this collection brought me great joy because they are heartfelt depictions of the solo mom reality. Go get yourself a copy. You will be glad you did.”
—Noelle Federico, Business Consultant and Founder, Theworkingsinglemom.com
“Contributors include Amy Poehler, Ana Castillo, Dorianne Laux, Audre Lorde, Anne Lamott, Elizabeth Alexander, and asha bandele. Their pieces reside next to lesser-known writers, whose stories are equally important and powerful. The overall composite yields a book of surprising hope, women united in purpose, focused on the well-being of their children.”
—Janet Rodriguez, The Rumpus
“We Got Thisis an inspiring and life-affirming collection that everybody should read, because after all, even if you aren’t a mother yourself, we all come from mothers, and we should be grateful every day for the sacrifices that they have made to bring us into the world.”
—BookTrib
“Inspired and inspiring, We Got This is an extraordinary compendium of exceptionally deftly crafted, well organized, and accessibly presented stories. An inherently fascinating read from first page to last.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Brilliantly written by numerous talented mom writers, this book comes together with one powerhouse voice that everyone––not just single mothers––should read. We could not possibly recommend this book stronger! Buy this book––buy multiple copies and gift them today!”
—TopShelf Reviews
★ 2019-08-15
Seventy-five writers share the experiences, hardships, and triumphs of single motherhood.
In 2015, Lindholm, a contributor to and one of four co-editors of this collaborative debutanthology, founded Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere, a social platform and "informative community for single moms, who currently raise 22 million American children." This was the genesis for this collection, which seeks to eliminate the stigma of solo motherhood by combatting outdated stereotypes. Along the way, the essays show the writers' grace, their humor, and even their mistakes. Readers will find some of the authors' names familiar, although their stories may not be. Ariel Gore, the award-winning writer and founding editor of the periodical Hip Mama, shares lies that she told in the Sonoma County welfare office in order to keep both her child and her creativity alive. Iraqi writer Faleeha Hassan recalls fleeing her home country after appearing on dangerous militants' "death lists"; in Turkey, she struggled to enroll her children in school—not just for their education, but for the warmth that their unheated apartment couldn't provide. Amy Poehler of Parks and Recreation fame breaks down divorce with heartbreaking and sidesplitting hilarity. Among these and other well-known names are emerging writers, poets, and performers. They include writers with ties to ESME, authors of color, military mothers, and LGBTQ parents and those who were raised by them. The well-curated collection is divided into seven chapters with strict, but never restrictive, themes, such as raising children, seeking help, and dating while single. Readers will be able to revisit these essays for laughs, inspiration, or a cathartic cry.
An engaging tribute to the heart, soul, and ingenuity of solo moms.
