Mumlife

A witty, empathic, and beautifully illustrated look at the roller coaster ride that is modern motherhood.

Mum, mom, momma, or ma—whatever you’re called, being a mother can be hard, filled with stress and anxiety. But of course, it also delivers its own unique joy.

Instagram sensation @Common_Wild, the popular account run by Australian artist Paula Kuka, channels that heady stew of anxiety and love in a series of relatable, warm, and funny cartoons that are eagerly shared by women around the world.

Kuka features moments instantly recognizable to any parent, from new mom to experienced toddler-wrangler. Scenes like cooking an elaborate meal only to have it swept to the floor by a picky child, or dragging strollers home from the playground in the rain, bring parenthood to life on the page. She also winks at the societal expectations that ask women to do it all, including “taking care of themselves,” with a smile.

But most importantly, she highlights the huge love that underpins the journey of parenthood, and the sometimes-surprising things you learn about yourself while watching your children grow up.

The perfect gift for first-time parents—or for yourself, when you need to remember that you are not alone, and it’s okay to relax and enjoy the moment.

Author Biography

Paula Kuka has been a landscape architect for thirteen years, working in the UK, China, and her native Australia. In 2016, after having her first child, she established Common Wild, where she combines all her obsessions: designing spaces that are beautiful, unexpected, dramatic, and thought-provoking, and drawing illustrations that celebrate all the things she loves. In 2017, she had her second child and survived the wild and hazy early days by documenting their life in a series of cartoons. What began as a personal project took on a life of its own when she discovered that the drawings were not only very therapeutic for her, but also resonated with women all over the world. Follow her on Instagram at @Common_Wild.