A mum's life is full of surprises. Just when you think you've got the job description all figured out, everything shifts again. Suddenly there are new needs to attend to, new interests to nurture ... and new rules to play by. In between the sleepless nights, the tantrums, the school runs and rainy camping holidays, it's easy to wonder, 'Am I a good mum?', 'Am I getting it right?' and 'Will that stain wash out?'

Joanne Mitchell has lived to tell the tale of the highs, lows and the glorious mess of parenting. Full of courageous honesty and self-deprecating humour, this memoir tells one mum's stories from the front line of motherhood, from pregnancy to pre-school to puberty and beyond.

The result is a warm and generous helping of laugh-out-loud anecdotes and been-there-done-that wisdom to remind mums out there that we're all human ... and usually winging it. Joanne shares her hard-won, priceless parenting wisdom - from why it's important to be hydrated before attending a school leavers assembly to the cure for a toddler's best ironing board impression.

It's the essential antidote to the horde of stern 'how-to' guides and advice out there. Mothers of all ages, take heart: the imperfection is the perfection.