Let me just start by saying that I am a collector of parenting books and a sucker for anything promising humor combined with motherhood stories - and have been since before I even HAD kids. This explains my
mile-high pile of books that I keep pushing onto all of my newly pregnant friends - “No, really, you HAVE TO read this one!” The good, the bad and the ugly, they’re all in there and they’ve all been devoured. I take the advice I want to hear and sneer at and ignore the stuff I don’t agree with. After all, who knows my parenting experience better than I do?
Back in my twitter-holic days of this summer, I came across a new acquaintance named Jenna McCarthy (no, NOT Jenny) who had a pretty cool blog and as I discovered after following the link in her twitter profile, a brand new parenting book! After reading her blog and a few of the excerpts on her site, I knew I had to read the book and I knew I wanted to share it here.
The book is titled The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to High Chairs and Potties and is a completely hilarious look at Jenna’s trip through conceiving, pregnancy, childbirth and new motherhood. Along with the tale of her journey, she offers some great advice for mothers with the real-world spin on them, none of that unrealistic “only the saintly mothers in our dreams” kind of stuff that no one really does but authors want you to think YOU should do. You know what I mean, right?
I love this excerpt about pumping breastmilk - for anyone that has actually DONE this, you know exactly what she’s referring to. If you’re waiting for the experience excitedly, do NOT trust those glazed-eye ladies who tell you that babies know how to nurse on their own and pumping is easy - ha.
Jenna writes:
In more than one awe-inspiring video shown in Prenatal Prep, we watched as a newborn babe wormed its way up its new mom’s belly and located its intended food source. By sheer instinct and fundamental need, these intrepid creatures were able to engage in the act of nursing that is one of nature’s most beautiful and profound.
Pumping breast milk, on the other hand, is about as organic and intuitive as watching a monster truck rally on TV while downing a bag of Doritos.
The Parent Trip made me laugh out loud and remember the days of pregnancy and tiny babyhood and SO wish I would have had this book when I was pregnant the first time. Jenna tells it like it is without hiding the fact that motherhood is pretty darn amazing. I’m planning on making sure all of my newly pregnant friends get this book and am even making all of my been there, done that mom friends read it too! A big hat tip to Jenna, who wrote this hilarious, true-to-life book while raising her 2 daughters.
Want to win a copy? Here’s your chance!
All you need to do to enter is leave a comment here. The contest is open until October 1st and the winner will be notified via email.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe so you don't miss any of the action! Have you met all of the contributors? Head over and find out about the fabulous parents writing here! Thanks for visiting!
I could use a good laugh. Thanks
Annas last blog post..Flanimals come to Life
I would love to win a copy! I have heard good things about her funny writing style!
Much to my husband’s frustration, I too horde parenting books. I have been wanting to read this one for awhile. I hope I win!
Carolines last blog post..SNL Gets it Right for Hillary.
This sounds awesome! Count me in!!
Angela Moores last blog post..My New Favorite Necklace
This sounds like a great book and a fun read. Can’t wait to check it out.
Lezzymoms last blog post..Email From My Aunt
Sounds like a fun read! I’m in!
FFBs last blog post..The Financial Roller Coaster Continues For Lynch, Lehman, And AIG
lord knows i need a good laugh!!!
This sounds like a wonderful book
Oh, she is a riot. I can not wait to read this one!
I have recently began reading Jenna’s blog. I would LOVE to win her book!
Blessings From Aboves last blog post..Preemie Adventures
Doing the minimum to win. I promise I will review on my blog if I do.
KTPs last blog post..Sometimes I Get Ahead of Myself
Would LOVE to win this book, and after I read…order some to sell in our stores : )
amys last blog post..Tara Donne..I heart photography
Oh pleease… I need a good laugh, send this one my way. Did I win?
Hollys last blog post..Hurricane Tracker | Mobile Resources for Gustav and More
This is the second positive review I’ve read, and I’m 19 weeks along, so if I don’t win I think I’ll have to buy it myself!
I’d love to win a copy! Woohoo!
This sounds like a fun read. I could seriously use a fun read right about now