Mumlife

Viral Instagram sensation @Common_Wild offers a witty, empathic, and beautifully illustrated look at the roller coaster ride that is modern motherhood.

Being a mom is hard—anywhere in the world. From early mornings and sleepless nights to temper tantrums and meddling in-laws, it’s a daily feat of strength that can reduce even the most confident woman to a bundle of nerves. Luckily, today’s moms have @Common_Wild, the popular Instagram account run by Australian artist Paula Kuka, who channels that heady stew of anxiety and love in a series of warm, funny cartoons that are eagerly shared by women around the world. Kuka features moments instantly recognizable to any parent, like cooking an elaborate meal only to have it swept to the floor by a picky toddler, or dragging strollers home from the playground in the rain. She also winks at the societal expectations that ask women to do it all, including “taking care of themselves,” with a smile. But most importantly, she highlights the huge love that underpins the journey of parenthood, and the sometimes-surprising things you learn about yourself while watching your children grow up.

Paula Kuka has been a landscape architect for thirteen years, working in the UK, China, and her native Australia. In 2016, after having her first child, she established Common Wild, where she combines all her obsessions: designing spaces that are beautiful, unexpected, dramatic, and thought-provoking, and drawing illustrations that celebrate all the things she loves. In 2017, she had her second child and survived the wild and hazy early days by documenting their life in a series of cartoons. What began as a personal project took on a life of its own when she discovered that the drawings were not only very therapeutic for her, but also resonated with women all over the world. Follow her on Instagram at @Common_Wild.