The influx of parenting magazines aimed particularly at mothers feeds into their anxieties, offering unrealistic standards for raising children. These publications suggest that with significant financial investment and a complete transformation of personality, mothers can achieve the ideal parenting experience that aligns with societal expectations. They portray a vision of perfect children that is both appealing and unattainable, causing further stress for mothers who feel pressured to meet these standards.

In "The Mommy Myth," Susan Douglas critiques how these ideals of motherhood are not only unrealistic but also detrimental to women. The insistence that mothers should produce perfect children can undermine women's self-worth and their experiences of motherhood. As these magazines highlight the supposed requirements to succeed as a mother, they contribute to a harmful narrative that idealizes motherhood while neglecting the complexities and challenges women face in their roles.