Mom’s the Word

About the Book

As the third of nine children in a tight-knit Catholic family, author E.M. Stoddard learned how to be resilient early in life. Although her childhood had many happy memories, Stoddard was determined not to relive her mother’s life, a life burdened with too much responsibility and dependence on an emotionally distant husband. Soon after earning her RN as a nurse, Stoddard married her boyfriend Patrick, whose alcohol problems caused trouble for the couple almost immediately. As the years progressed, Patrick’s behavior continued to deteriorate, and divorce became the only logical choice. After the dissolution of her marriage, Stoddard’s life changed dramatically. With the responsibilities of a new job, a mortgage—and most importantly—her nine-year-old son, Matt, Stoddard couldn’t rely on her ex-husband to provide support. She had to do it on her own. Since her new position required extensive travel, Stoddard decided live-in help was a necessity. But finding a trustworthy, dependable nanny became an educational experience as she hired a total of seven individuals over the next few years, most with qualities that made them less-than-ideal child care providers. Mom’s the Word tells the inspiring and often humorous story of Stoddard’s experiences as she, her son, and their fat beagle survive the craziness, heartache, fear, joy, and personal growth that come with life’s challenges.

About the Author

E.M. Stoddard was a successful businesswoman who traveled extensively. Retired, she now lives with her second husband in Connecticut and Florida.