New mom? Watch these shows about the realness of motherhood

Welcome to motherhood. You’ve survived everything that pregnancy could throw at you and have welcomed a shiny new little human into the world. Between the sleep deprivation, first poop (I’m not referring to the baby here), and the pain and joy of breastfeeding – you may feel like you’re losing the plot just a little.

Rest assured (umm, okay, poor choice of words for the time in your life when you’re probably not resting much), you’re not alone. We’ve rounded up a few shows that offer real glimpses into motherhood and will help you hang onto that last bit of sanity (while entertaining you during those very early morning wake-ups).

I do love a good pun. The title of this Aussie look into motherhood got my immediate attention and did not disappoint. This dramedy follows new mom Audrey (Alison Bell), who’s trying to find some sort of balance, and her sanity, while navigating the early twilight zone that is becoming a parent.

The first scene of the first episode sees a brilliantly funny and endearing exchange between Audrey and a local drug dealer – who refuses to let Audrey sleep in his “place of business”. The almost microscopic examination of motherhood’s psychological impact is fantastically balanced out with humour.

Good Girls’ clever writing and fantastic directing really does make the most of its impeccable cast. This Robin Hood-esque/Breaking Bad-like show tells the tale of a trio of moms who turn to crime to solve their financial troubles.

Christina Hendricks’ portrayal of ringleader Beth is amazing – as is Mae Whitman’s Annie. But, in all honestly, my favourite of the trio is Retta who’s showing off her range as an actress with her role as Ruby Hill. The funny, ridiculous, yet relatable show is eminently binge-worthy. It’s also completely underrated.

More shows about mothers – the good, the bad and the nasty

Sharp Objects

Jane the Virgin S5

Modern Family S11

Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story (2018)

Victoria S3

Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017)

Being human is messy, and messiness is exactly what Workin’ Moms brings. At the show’s core is the belief that all of the parents in the show were whole people before having spawned tiny people, and now trying to balance their old identities with that of being a parent.

Kate (Catherine Reitman, who’s also the showrunner) pumps milk in a toilet stall and is refusing to let anything in her pre-baby work life change; psychologist Alice (Dani Carlson) battles with a rebellious 9-year-old who hates her; and Frankie (Juno Rinaldi) is at war with her own post-partum depression. It offers a frank glimpse at motherhood that’s relatable and outrageously funny.

I stan Charlize Theron, even more so after watching Tully – an all-too-real look at motherhood. Theron plays Marlo, a heavily pregnant mom of two, who nears a complete breakdown when baby number three arrives.

Theron nails her role as the exhausted, barely coping mom whose wealthy brother pays for a night nurse as a gift. The unrelenting realness of Tully is measured by its witty, clever writing. If you watch nothing else on this list, watch this one. It’s a goodie.