jbuck1975's review
5.0
In the time since I became a mother seven years ago I have both worked and stayed home. I worked for the first year and a half of motherhood. After adding a second child to our family and trying a job sharing plan that didn't end up working out as planned which coincided with a decision to relocate across the country and sell our house (which meant I wouldn't be able to stay at that job anyway) I started staying home and I have been home now for a number of years. I know that the clock is starting to wind down to my going back to work outside of the home, but I also know in my heart that right now I am not ready to do that. This book works well for both working outside of the home moms and stay at home moms. I hate the fact that stay at home moms are viewed as not working, as if every day is a day off, but that is a whole different topic.
Kristin van Ogtrop is the editor at Real Simple Magazine and has been working since before her first child was born. Her writing is funny and easy to read. I got through the book in just a few days mostly while I was nursing my son or winding down before bed. Each chapter is arranged with a letter and alphabetical listings of terms for moms. Some examples are "accounting error" when you accidentally have one more child than you can handle, "boredom fantasy" when you remember back to when you were much younger and actually had enough free time to be bored, "ignore the tray" where you must act like a waiter and not look at all that is on your plate otherwise it will all tip- just keep you head up and keep going and you will be fine, and "that-sounds-like-fun-I'll-try it!" where you end up thinking you can do more than you can and end up in a situation that may be uncomfortable or just a pain like having your house renovated while you are still living in it.
Van Ogtrop is really funny, it is nice to read about other mothers who don't feel like they have it all together all the time. I really enjoyed the alphabetical nature of the book, it made it feel organized. Earlier this year I read a book called Mother Daze and this reminded me of that one. It was also written by a working mother who had three children and they both did a good job with relating to the reader and using humor. For all mothers and maybe even all women, there is such a balancing act going on in our lives with how much time to give to our jobs, our families and ourselves and it is so hard to achieve what feels just right for all of those areas and really, sometimes if we just managed to get a bit more sleep it would go smoother but it feels like there isn't enough time to get that rest since so much needs to be done and we just keep going around on this treadmill.
Kristin van Ogtrop is the editor at Real Simple Magazine and has been working since before her first child was born. Her writing is funny and easy to read. I got through the book in just a few days mostly while I was nursing my son or winding down before bed. Each chapter is arranged with a letter and alphabetical listings of terms for moms. Some examples are "accounting error" when you accidentally have one more child than you can handle, "boredom fantasy" when you remember back to when you were much younger and actually had enough free time to be bored, "ignore the tray" where you must act like a waiter and not look at all that is on your plate otherwise it will all tip- just keep you head up and keep going and you will be fine, and "that-sounds-like-fun-I'll-try it!" where you end up thinking you can do more than you can and end up in a situation that may be uncomfortable or just a pain like having your house renovated while you are still living in it.
Van Ogtrop is really funny, it is nice to read about other mothers who don't feel like they have it all together all the time. I really enjoyed the alphabetical nature of the book, it made it feel organized. Earlier this year I read a book called Mother Daze and this reminded me of that one. It was also written by a working mother who had three children and they both did a good job with relating to the reader and using humor. For all mothers and maybe even all women, there is such a balancing act going on in our lives with how much time to give to our jobs, our families and ourselves and it is so hard to achieve what feels just right for all of those areas and really, sometimes if we just managed to get a bit more sleep it would go smoother but it feels like there isn't enough time to get that rest since so much needs to be done and we just keep going around on this treadmill.
khourianya's review
2.0
For a book whose jacket description sounded so promising - I think this one kind of missed the mark on my expectations. That's not to say it wasn't amusing or insightful, but it was not what I was wanting.
Essentially, the book is directed at working moms. I thought it would be filled with wisdom on how to find my own balance in this world. Instead, I was greeted by alphabetical chapters and a glorified glossary of terms relating to working motherhood. Sure - some of the entries were quite funny, but it just wasn't what I was looking for.
It's a quick read, though - so if you want a witty read to distract you temporarily from working motherhood...nah - this won't even do that. I just can't recommend it. Perhaps as a bathroom reader bought on clearance...then it might be better enjoyed bit by bit.
Essentially, the book is directed at working moms. I thought it would be filled with wisdom on how to find my own balance in this world. Instead, I was greeted by alphabetical chapters and a glorified glossary of terms relating to working motherhood. Sure - some of the entries were quite funny, but it just wasn't what I was looking for.
It's a quick read, though - so if you want a witty read to distract you temporarily from working motherhood...nah - this won't even do that. I just can't recommend it. Perhaps as a bathroom reader bought on clearance...then it might be better enjoyed bit by bit.
khoerner7's review
2.0
I had big hopes for this book because it was recommended by others. Unfortunately, I did not find it all the funny. The dictionary set up made it a quick read but not the best.
lizzard72's review
4.0
Loved this book! It gives a voice to a lot of crazy mom traits, thoughts, and actions.
akeesee's review
4.0
This book was hilarious! There were several passages that made me laugh so hard that I cried (mostly because I had done the same thing she was describing). When my husband asked what was so funny, I tried to read the passage to him, but I broke out laughing and had to just hand him the book. Even my father-in-law thought it was funny.
hezann73's review
4.0
A book full of "definitions" for working moms. I found myself laughing out loud and reading parts to other people. Some of the "definitions" dragged on and I found myself skimming those - resulting in a four star, rather than a five star review.
Recommend for any and all working moms!
Recommend for any and all working moms!
tamara12561's review against another edition
4.0
Funny and so easy to identify with! Reminded me a bit of Vicki Iovine, but a little more profound.
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