Hurdling my way through the third trimester, I’ve been doing as much research as humanly possible to try to combat my ever-growing anxiety. There are a lot of things first-time moms are anxious about, and I’m constantly grappling with the reality that pretty soon, I’ll be a stay-at-home mom responsible for my son’s entire life while my husband goes back to work. Something about being the parent who’s home alone with the baby during the day makes that responsibility feel even more terrifying.

I’ve been dealing with that anxiety (in addition to all the excitement, obviously) ever since that thick little line popped up on my first pregnancy test. When I initially turned to one of my many Facebook communities for a little guidance, someone suggested I grab a copy of Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman, MSW.

Firstly, I love how easy this book is to read. Most of the other mom guidebooks I’ve stocked up on have paragraph after paragraph filling every single page with information that I know I’ll never remember after just a quick glance. This book, on the other hand, is full of quick, bite-sized sections addressing the different fears a new mother might confront, accompanied by adorable cartoon illustrations by Molly McIntyre.

Honestly, it reminds me of the girlhood manuals from the early 2000s that companies like American Girl used to put out, but for adult women facing parenthood. It has that same nostalgic feeling, paired with genuinely helpful information.

I also appreciate that the book recognizes that new dads struggle, too, while keeping its primary focus on mothers. I know Jakob will probably have his own moments of anxiety surrounding his impending fatherhood, and there’s a section in this book that can help me support him through those moments, too.

There are also plenty of opportunities to answer little questions or fill in the blanks throughout the book, making it feel more interactive, almost like a workbook.

Ultimately, this is a quick and easy resource to grab when you only have a moment between diaper changes or feedings but could use a little guidance to help you get through the day with a newborn. I’m sure I’ll be reaching for it regularly once Baby Emil arrives, and I’d absolutely recommend it as a thoughtful gift for any mom-to-be in your life!