lexiww's review
4.0
Catherine Newman has been my parenting soothsayer for more than a decade, and this collection of essays portends the wild, delicious Big Kid years I have ahead with my son.
(An aside: Newman and I were once at a holiday party together for a publication we both worked on. I embarassingly fangirled over her, hard, and mustered the courage to say hello. I asked her whether it ever got old to have a harem of childbearing women wanting to hang on her every word.
"It's not like they're trying to sleep with me," she'd said.
Bazinga.)
(An aside: Newman and I were once at a holiday party together for a publication we both worked on. I embarassingly fangirled over her, hard, and mustered the courage to say hello. I asked her whether it ever got old to have a harem of childbearing women wanting to hang on her every word.
"It's not like they're trying to sleep with me," she'd said.
Bazinga.)
mamalemma's review
5.0
I have been following Catherine Newman, Michael, Ben and Birdy since her earliest days on BabyCenter, when I was a new mom. She has always written my heart, what it truly feels like to raise these incredible little people we've created. I loved her first book, about the pregnancy and birth of her second child Birdy, so I was overjoyed when I saw her newest book. I was not disappointed! Her voice, so strong and clear, and the voices of her sweet and spicy children, are voices I'd recognize whether I saw her name on the cover or not. They are a special and loving family, and I've learned from them as much as I've recognized my family in them. It's a genuinely wonderful read, and such a blessing to watch Ben and Birdy grow along with my children.
felisa's review
4.0
This was a joyful read regarding the nonsense that is raising children. So many relatable stories, a fist bump of support. Not necessarily a "self help" book but a charming look on all. the. struggles.
jacmcgw's review
4.0
I can't often say this truthfully, but I did laugh and cry when reading this lovely book. A wonderful set of essays about parenthood and childhood.
bookfairy99's review
3.0
This is such a sweet look at parenting through various ages and stages. It's clear that Newman absolutely adores her children and her life. She admits she's incredibly blessed and has a life that is, on the whole, amazingly good. And perhaps that's why the essays felt a little dull to me. So much happiness, so much love, so much... routine, normal, parenting stuff.
I was expecting more practical advice, perhaps, about how to hold on to your identity while raising small children. I really enjoyed the prologue and epilogue, with their "it gets better" themes, but I wanted more of that. More recognition that "this sh*t is hard, yo!" and that it's perfectly okay to both want to hold them forever and run away to Fiji.
I also found some of the essays repetitive. At one point they all started to echo one another. Which wasn't terrible, but it added to the overall unremarkable impression I had of the book as a whole.
I was expecting more practical advice, perhaps, about how to hold on to your identity while raising small children. I really enjoyed the prologue and epilogue, with their "it gets better" themes, but I wanted more of that. More recognition that "this sh*t is hard, yo!" and that it's perfectly okay to both want to hold them forever and run away to Fiji.
I also found some of the essays repetitive. At one point they all started to echo one another. Which wasn't terrible, but it added to the overall unremarkable impression I had of the book as a whole.
erin_hibshman's review
4.0
I have been reading this books in small bites, to savor the elegant writing of Catherine Newman. I do not remember how I stumbled onto her blog years ago, but her posts spoke to me and I eagerly await new posts. She has the ability to put into words the emotions so many parents feel, and this collection of essays continues to express those moments and deep dark thoughts we thought we alone had. Definitely a keeper.
deannah's review
3.0
Honest and humorous parenting essays--some of which I related to more than others.