Mom's the Word

Shortly after her divorce, author E. M. Stoddard’s life undergoes a dramatic change. Saddled with the responsibilities of a new job, a mortgage, and most importantly, her nine-year-old son, Matt, Stoddard can’t rely on her alcoholic ex-husband to provide child support. She has to do it on her own. Since her new position requires travel, it doesn’t take long for Stoddard to decide that live-in help is an absolute necessity. But finding a trustworthy, dependable nanny becomes an educational experience as she hires a total of seven care providers over the next few years. Each nanny has a unique personality. Marja arrives shy and leaves sexy. Sally appears hale and hearty” on arrival but is sent home as a drug addict. Sven, the only male, surprisingly remains unchanged—quiet and reclusive. Charity comes as a Mormon farm girl, complete with cat, and leaves as a Times Square swinger. Through it all, Stoddard and her son survive the craziness, heartache, fear, joy, and personal growth that comes from their relationships with these seven people, all of whom become vitally important in their lives.