Standing on the Edge of Motherhood By Gemma Douglas

“Gemma’s beautiful and comforting way with words encouraged me to be vulnerable in mine too. Her honest truths are both raw and validating and feel like a warm hug at the end of a long day. Inspiring, inviting and from the heart. I will forever remember how her stories gave me the courage to tell my own, there is so much power and beauty in that.” — Jess Urlichs, bestselling author of Beautiful Chaos and The Rainbow in my Heart.

Becoming a mother changes everything: your body, your relationships, your sense of self. In Standing on the Edge of Motherhood, Gemma Douglas of The Motherhood Project opens a window into the raw, tender, and transformative journey of motherhood. Through a collection of honest reflections, Gemma captures both the beauty and the struggle of life with young children, offering encouragement for mums who might feel overwhelmed, unseen, or alone.

This is not a “how-to” manual but a book that reassures mothers that their feelings are valid and their experiences are shared by many. It’s a reminder that amidst the exhaustion and chaos, there is deep joy, resilience, and love.

How you might use this book:

• Curl up with it during a rare quiet moment and let Gemma’s words reassure and ground you.
• Mark or return to passages that speak to you when you need comfort or encouragement.
• Gift it to a new mum who might need to hear that she’s not alone in the journey.
• Use it as a conversation starter with friends or whānau about the realities of motherhood.
  

About the author:

Gemma Douglas is a breath coach, speaker, and mother of three who brings together science, lived experience, and deep compassion in her work. She is the founder of The Motherhood Project - a global community of over 200,000 women - and is passionate about creating spaces where mothers feel supported and seen. From coaching world champions to guiding anxious teens, Gemma’s work always comes back to connection and the power of the breath. Living on an apple orchard in Hawke’s Bay, she combines her training in breathwork, coaching, and wellbeing with her lived experience of parenting to support women navigating the intensity and beauty of motherhood.