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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I wanted more midlife and less motherhood. This was a book club read.
Maybe it’s because I potty trained someone 6 years ago and need to do it again soon and don’t want to think about it, or because I’m currently dealing with a super picky eater (no asparagus risotto for him), but I didn’t connect with this collection. There’s a lot of “my child didn’t behave the way I dreamed/expected him to, and that’s super frustrating” and while I absolutely relate to that, I don’t really want to read about it. Maybe because I read too many parenting blogs at one point and this feels too much like them. Some of the essays felt like they could have been a twitter thread. Other readers may feel very seen by it, and I love that for them. Maybe in 5 years I’ll feel differently.
She was too surprised that experienced, highly recommended night nurses could easily read her baby’s needs and then meet them, despite being super clear that she and her husband had zero baby experience and these folks….it’s their actual job to be this good! She claims “no one tells you” about the ice pack diaper situation post birth, but I do find that “everybody” says that, and it’s not true. I showed my friends the ice packs and pads. They knew.
Overall I wish I got more Jessi in this book, less “Asher’s mom,” as one playmate called her. I know it’s a collection about motherhood, so really I’m just a crankpot.
Maybe it’s because I potty trained someone 6 years ago and need to do it again soon and don’t want to think about it, or because I’m currently dealing with a super picky eater (no asparagus risotto for him), but I didn’t connect with this collection. There’s a lot of “my child didn’t behave the way I dreamed/expected him to, and that’s super frustrating” and while I absolutely relate to that, I don’t really want to read about it. Maybe because I read too many parenting blogs at one point and this feels too much like them. Some of the essays felt like they could have been a twitter thread. Other readers may feel very seen by it, and I love that for them. Maybe in 5 years I’ll feel differently.
She was too surprised that experienced, highly recommended night nurses could easily read her baby’s needs and then meet them, despite being super clear that she and her husband had zero baby experience and these folks….it’s their actual job to be this good! She claims “no one tells you” about the ice pack diaper situation post birth, but I do find that “everybody” says that, and it’s not true. I showed my friends the ice packs and pads. They knew.
Overall I wish I got more Jessi in this book, less “Asher’s mom,” as one playmate called her. I know it’s a collection about motherhood, so really I’m just a crankpot.
The way Jessi Klein describes what happens physically to women after childbirth healed something in me tonight. I'm still not done with the book, but this part needed its own entry. I will never forget her words.
I have never felt more seen or understood as a mom and as a person than when I was reading this book. It's like all of my intrusive thoughts were laid bare for me to find closure eight years after giving birth. My time reading this book was lovely, and I will not forget Jessi's words and candor for as long as I live.
I have never felt more seen or understood as a mom and as a person than when I was reading this book. It's like all of my intrusive thoughts were laid bare for me to find closure eight years after giving birth. My time reading this book was lovely, and I will not forget Jessi's words and candor for as long as I live.
DNF - eh it just didn't do it for me
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
funny
I imagine this book will only become more relatable. Except for the night nurses
This was meh for me. Some of it was endearing and funny, a lot of it felt like cis het wealthy white woman moaning, some was relatable as a mom, some just …wasn’t, like at all. I didn’t dislike it per se, I just didn’t think it was great and often felt bored by it.
I'm not sure who to recommend this book to -- but it was the exact right book at the right time for me!