bookfairy99's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
3.0
Honest and humorous parenting essays--some of which I related to more than others.
melissa_lound's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, fast, easy summer read...the essays all started to feel the same after a while, but the author and her children were charming and funny.
ktreadsnm's review against another edition
5.0
Please can I give this 20 stars? Catherine Newman has a way of writing the things that you didn't know were so, so true until she put them into words. I'm so glad she's still writing. I've been missing her since Bringing up Ben and Birdy.
kimwin35's review against another edition
3.0
There were snippets of this book I enjoyed. For me, it didn't live up to Waiting For Birdy, but really, how could it? I would recommend her first memoir over this one. I've been such a fan of Catherine Newman through the years that I had already read some of the essays from this book. She still has such a gift for writing about parenthood and capturing many of its elements so well. I especially relate when she writes about how "a parent’s love is always haunted by the specter of loss." (-New York Times review) And I agree with the NYT review that the political overtones in this book weakened it.
felisa's review against another edition
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.
wannabemensch's review against another edition
5.0
This wasn't what I expected, and I'm so glad! I thought it would be more of a How To manual. And instead I found beautiful, sweet, funny essays that made me nod along in agreement.