Why am I passionate about this?

I started this book in 2007. It was a compilation of stories from my experience as a parent; there was no structure to it at all. When my second husband passed in 2017, an ad appeared in Facebook for Author Academy Elite (AAE). I knew it was my late husband giving me that one final push to get the book done. As a (non) perfect parent of three children, I felt my experience could benefit others as I am continuing my journey along my Path to Perfection. As a person who has struggled with depression for her entire life, I can honestly say that parenting is hard. We are all doing the best we can with what we have. And that’s why I think you’ll enjoy these books!


I wrote

The Path to Perfection: Parenting without a roadmap: tales from a (non) perfect parent

By Dawn Thomas-Cameron,

Book cover of The Path to Perfection: Parenting without a roadmap: tales from a (non) perfect parent

What is my book about?

If Perfection were an actual place, like a city or town, would there be one clearly marked exit on the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Life as a mother: From the Diamonds to the Dirt of Motherhood

Dawn Thomas-Cameron Why did I love this book?

Motherhood is a gift. But sometimes it doesn’t feel like it. Chantelle, the author, touches on the less pleasant parts of motherhood. I cried 11 pages in because I empathized with a lot of what Chantelle was saying. I think I related to the author’s story so much because she struggled with her own mental health issues throughout her time as a mother. The book touches on postpartum depression (for moms and dads). Yes, dads can have postpartum too!

The book is raw, emotional, and the absolute truth.

By Chantelle Lambert,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Life as a mother as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Life as a Mother is not your ordinary How to Guide.

Do you want to read real experiences from a real mother’s perspective that you can actually relate to? Or are you a mother-to-be and you want to know what it’s really like? We get the unrealistic perspective of motherhood everywhere, and we find ourselves going in blind. We see motherhood as being full of smiles and happiness, but it is so much more than that. It’s also full of tears, fears, anger, boredom, and loneliness—not to mention depression and anxiety on top of everything else.

Being a mother is…


Book cover of Parenting With Depression Made Easier: how to defeat depression and mental illness with power, love and family.

Dawn Thomas-Cameron Why did I love this book?

This book, again, tackles mental health issues. And yes, I cried reading it. It defines depression and explains the different types of mental illness. In the second chapter, it debunks 10 myths around depression. The author encourages you to address your mental illness and gives you various methods to do so.


By Evan Richards,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Parenting With Depression Made Easier as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

If you are a parent with depression, anxiety or mental illness please seek out help before it’s too late.

Parenting With Depression: Made Easier is for parents with depression or mental illness, written and advised by parents with depression and mental illness. In this book I give you vital information, tips and skills gained from my experiences as a dad as well as other mothers and fathers and licensed therapists. I take a loving warm approach, like you are my own family, and translate this information into a language that is easier for you to understand. This is the self-help…


Book cover of The Smiling Mask: Truths about Postpartum Depression and Parenthood

Dawn Thomas-Cameron Why did I love this book?

This book focused on three stories from women who experienced postpartum depression in varying degrees. Through the stories, it raises awareness about various degrees of postpartum depression and the spectrum of symptoms. The stories are raw and emotional.  And yes, I cried through many parts of the story.

The title refers to how we try to hide from the realities of parenting by wearing smiling masks even when we are depressed. A must-read for ANY parent – any gender, any experience level.

By Carla Joan O'Reilly, Peggy Collins, Tania Bird , Elita Paterson

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Smiling Mask as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Truths about Postpartum Depression and Parenthood


Book cover of Diapers to Dorms: Raising Kids You Actually Like, Who Others Like, and Who Like Themselves

Dawn Thomas-Cameron Why did I love this book?

This unique book is from a father's perspective, which you don't see very much these days. The lessons in this book are told through humorous stories, which we can all relate to. It tackles topics like building your confidence as a parent, recognizing the fact your children are different and identifying what’s important during each stage of a child’s life. The book is more of a “how-to” manual. It is rooted in Christianity.

By Randy Pardue,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Diapers to Dorms as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

YOU NEED A PLAN BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DO-OVERS IN PARENTING!Let’s be honest, raising kids is hard. At any given stage of parenting, we find ourselves frustrated at not being confident about what we should be doing. We wonder if we are too hard or too soft on our toddler. We’re not sure we are teaching our grade schoolers everything they need to succeed, and we feel like we’re losing control of our high schooler. We ask ourselves questions like, “Am I good enough?” “Am I doing the right things?” “Do my kids love me?”We all intend to raise good…


Book cover of The 10-Minute Refresh for Moms: Less Stress, More Joy

Dawn Thomas-Cameron Why did I love this book?

As a parent, we all struggle with self-care.  The book is relatable. Real-life stories highlight the struggles many moms go through. The author talks about how we put so much on ourselves as moms and yet we still feel unworthy.

With the help of this book, moms can evoke self-care for themselves - in as little as 10 minutes a day. There is a course you can take along with it if you want.

By Nichole B. Clark,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The 10-Minute Refresh for Moms as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Want to Jumpstart Your Mama Heart?

Many moms don’t want others to know the truth…

That they are struggling.

That being a mother is much harder than they anticipated.

That they don’t feel good enough and are forgetting who they are or what they like because every waking moment is spent taking care of everyone but themselves. 

It can be an overwhelming and underappreciated job...

Even if it's the best job title in the world. 

It is common for moms to have a million tabs open in their mind at all times and to therefore feel burned out and overwhelmed.…


Explore my book 😀

The Path to Perfection: Parenting without a roadmap: tales from a (non) perfect parent

By Dawn Thomas-Cameron,

Book cover of The Path to Perfection: Parenting without a roadmap: tales from a (non) perfect parent

What is my book about?

If Perfection were an actual place, like a city or town, would there be one clearly marked exit on the road there? One that would result in you winding up in a specific location with a plethora of other perfect parents? Would this Path to Perfection be smooth and straight? Or would it be curvy, bumpy, and fraught with detours? More importantly, would anyone actually be there when (or if) you arrived?

Join author, Dawn Thomas-Cameron, as she explores the answers to these questions and more! The Path to Perfection is broken into three main sections: Things That Could Have Been Done Differently, Things I Handled Like a Rock Star! and Pearls of Wisdom. This book is sure to evoke a rollercoaster of emotions as you journey along. And yes, you will cry during parts. That’s the nature of parenting.

Book cover of Life as a mother: From the Diamonds to the Dirt of Motherhood
Book cover of Parenting With Depression Made Easier: how to defeat depression and mental illness with power, love and family.
Book cover of The Smiling Mask: Truths about Postpartum Depression and Parenthood

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,206

readers submitted
so far, will you?

You might also like...

Broken Mirror

By Cody Sisco,

Book cover of Broken Mirror

Cody Sisco Author Of Broken Mirror

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Cody's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

A fractured mind or a global conspiracy? Uncovering the truth can be hell when nobody believes you… and you can’t even trust yourself. 

"A fantastic science fiction thriller with a sincere and important message.”—Kirkus Reviews. 

“A breathtaking, deeply dark alternate-history Earth with complex characters, layered worldbuilding, and twist after twist after twist.”—Julianna Caro, Reedsy Discovery.

Broken Mirror is the first volume in a queer psychological science fiction saga that looks at the stigma of mental illness and the hellish distrust and alienation that goes with it.

Broken Mirror

By Cody Sisco,

What is this book about?

Broken Mirror: the start of a smart, complex, and imaginative cyberpunk alternate history saga. Literary science fiction from a fresh, young voice.

In a skewed mirror universe, a mentally ill young man searches for his grandfather’s killer.

Someone killed Jefferson Eastmore. His grandson Victor is sure of it, but no one believes him.

Diagnosed with mirror resonance syndrome and shunned by Semiautonomous California society, Victor suffers from hyperempathy, blank outs, and sensory overload. Jefferson devoted his life to researching mental illness and curing Broken Mirrors like Victor through genetic engineering, but now that he’s gone, Victor must walk a narrow…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in postpartum depression, emotions, and parenting?

Emotions 167 books
Parenting 381 books