Book

“I WISH I HAD THIS BOOK WHEN MY KIDS WERE TODDLERS.”

-LIBBY WARD, DIARY OF AN HONEST MOM

Mama Be Present: 40 Simple Yet Magical Ways to Find Joy in The Toddler Days is perfect for new moms, tired moms, or anyone who wants to soak up the little years while they last.

Mama can be found at the following shops:

You can also find her online at:

ABOUT THE BOOK

These days, us moms are swimming in a sea of socially curated, picture-perfect moments that leave us feeling like we aren’t doing enough to create magical childhoods for our kids. And yet with the day-to-day overwhelm and general busyness of life, it feels impossible for us to find time and energy to be the moms the world tells us to be.

But what if…it wasn’t that complicated?

Could a bag of rice provide hours of entertainment? Is self-care really as simple as drinking a glass of water? Could beautiful moments be inspired from things you already have on hand? Before you’ve even had coffee?

Mama Be Present provides 40 accessible ways to spark a moment of fun, connect with your child/ren, or seek some much-needed rest. It’s a practical tool for the practice of parenting, delivering solution-based prompts that can be used at any time and (almost) any place.

Whether you read it as needed or devour it in one sitting, you will discover:

  • candid and comical stories that will leave you feeling less alone.
  • simple ideas to show up for your kid/s and fill your cup in the process.
  • short yet soulful reflections that shift your perspectives or expectations.
  • recap questions that can turn everyday moments into captured memories.

Most of all, you’ll learn that it doesn’t take much to make magic out of a simple moment. It just requires your presence, which is always enough.

CALLING ALL BOUTIQUE OWNERS

Here’s why Mama belongs in your shop:

  • Perfect for boutiques that cater to moms, parents, and gift-givers.
  • Beautiful, gift-able, and easy to display. Ideal for checkout counters, curated book nooks, or new-mom care packages.
  • A meaningful alternative to traditional parenting books, Mama Be Present is heartfelt, humorous, and refreshingly realistic.
  • Proven to sell. The Perfect Petal, a well-known boutique in Denver, stocked it and sold out!
  • A great tie-in for workshops or community events. I’d love to collaborate on in-store readings, mom-centered events, or a speaker series.

For more details, check out my Shop Guide:

PRAISE FOR MAMA BE PRESENT

“Brit has a gentle and honest way of reminding us moms to embrace the chaos. This book is the calm we all need in the storm of new motherhood.”

—SHAYNA FERM, author of Parentally Incorrect + creator of The Pump and Dump Show

“I’ll be sharing this book with parents in my classes, as Brit’s collection of stories and suggestions bring great understanding, reassurance, and humor to life with a toddler. One thing is true: The way to joy is through the exhaustion and chaos, and these prompts point the way. Bravo to Brit for creating something personal, beautiful, and REAL for mamas everywhere.”

—KAREN DEERWESTER, owner of Family Time, Inc. + host of the See Me Hear Me Love Me podcast

“Ever since participating in Brit’s take-a-break challenge in 2016, I’ve been a big fan of her work. Not only has she inspired various MOPS communities I’ve invited her to speak at, but thanks to her engaging and convincing principles of self-care, I’ve kept up with many habits I’ve developed from her online programs. Now, she has created a book for moms that is simple in practice yet so deeply powerful. Her writing is a gift.”

—SHERRI CRANDALL, VP of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience at MOPS International

“Brit strikes a powerful balance between hilarious and raw, story and research, and light-hearted and profound as she walks alongside moms guiding them in the most contradictory role in life: motherhood.”

—CHRISTIN BOURG, special education teacher + MBP community member

“I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I read the last page with tears streaming down my face. It makes me feel so seen. Every time I read it, I discover new ways to connect with my kids and most of all, myself.”

—ERIN MARTINEZ, public health professional + MBP community member

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

In February 2022, I started Mama Be Present, an online community for tired toddler moms who desired ways to connect with their kiddos and reconnect with themselves. Along with weekly questions and encouragement, I posted a joy prompt every Tuesday.

After the 30th prompt, I decided to put these little nudges into a book.

However, summer break with a toddler had different plans for my productivity, and when I was invited to run a golf foundation in the fall, I thought that curveball was meant to be. But after six weeks of working full-time hours that were supposed to be part-time and simultaneously helping care for my ill mom-in-law, I fell apart and quit. A few weeks later, Colleen left us.

After a month of feeling numb, sad, and foggy, a wave of unexpected motivation came crashing into me. It filled me with the most intense sense of urgency.

Here’s what it whispered to me:

Life is too short to hide your art. Just get it out there.


I knew this meant publishing that book. I also knew I’d need some serious fire under my butt to stay accountable. So, I booked a date ‘n’ place for the book launch and immediately posted a save-the-date.

Five months later, on 5.24.23, it happened:

One hundred women gathered for the debut of Mama Be Present: 40 Simple Yet Magical Ways to Find Joy in The Toddler Days. It was an unforgettable night of connection, inspiration, and experiencing what the book is all about.

Not long after self-publishing — which I did via Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark through my own imprint Moon Pollen Press — Mama ranked in the Top 100 on Amazon under Motherhood and Women’s Health as well as the Top 10 on Ingram Spark under Family & Relationships.

To this date, over 600 copies have made their way across the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia, India, and Spain.

Reader feedback has been super encouraging, too. One recent reviewer said this reinvigorated her ability to enjoy all the moments of motherhood. Another said that the first page alone brought her to tears. I also can’t tell you how many said this book is for ALL moms — not just those raising littles.

So, there’s a quick glance at the What, When, and Why.

Now, for the fun part:
The secrets of my HOW.