Mum's the Word: The Best Narratively Stories About Motherhood

From North Korea to Brooklyn, Congo to London, in celebration of Mother's Day we take a look at some of our favorite stories about the trials, tribulations and rewards of being—or having—a mom.

1. The Spectacular Return of the Pigmy Mother  Photos by Patrick Willocq | Text by Laurence Butet-Roch

Photo by Patrick Willocq Deep in the Congo, young mothers from the Ekonda tribe continue an ancient ritual, living with their newborns in isolation for months or even years. But what happens when they come back? 2. A Mother and Daughter, On How Epilepsy Made Us Stronger By Ayun Halliday

Illustration by Ayun Halliday

Experience a fourteen-year roller-coaster ride, from sorrow to frustration to coping to control, in comic form, as a mother and daughter learn how much epilepsy shaped them and their relationship.

3. The Three Sisters of Pyongyang  By Laura Shin

Photo Courtesy Laura Shin As a Korean-American growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, Laura Shin felt like an outsider. But an exploration of her mother's family revealed the bold creativity of her ancestors and family. 4. Things My Mother Told Me By Meghan Horvath

Image by Meghan Horvath

A London mom and daughter on self-respect, pubic hair and not giving a damn about what some bloke tells them.

5. My Mom Had a Massive Stroke Two Weeks Ago   By Chloe Stillwell 

Photo courtesy Chloe Stillwell At 26, Chloe Stillwell received the phone call that no daughter ever wants to get: her mother was in hospital after a massive stroke. At her mother's bedside, Chloe reminisces about the relationship they had, and looks to build a new one. 6. Capturing the Overwhelming and Inspiring Reality of Working Moms in 2016 By Alice Proujansky  

Photo by Alice Proujansky After giving birth in 2012, this documentary photographer began a project chronicling the lives of working mothers. From courthouses to hospitals to art studios, her work helped convince herself that she too could balance motherhood with her own life.