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kerryamchugh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Brilliant and insightful essays on motherhood, parenting, and life with children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infertility and Terminal illness
jennylmoles's review against another edition
4.0
Read it with a pen in hand to mark all of the meaningful (to me) passages. So touching and true.
annagracek's review against another edition
4.0
This is the sort of book we should be handed by our friends, loved ones, and pediatricians, instead of the usual What to Expect When You Attempt Sleep Training While Creating Super Geniuses situation. It's light and deep. It's the friendly, wise voice of someone a step or two ahead that you wish you really had in your life. It's normal joy and real, messy, dailiness. It's simple and straightforward without ever giving advice. This is not a how-to. It's so much better. This is a love letter to real life.
ginger_cricket's review against another edition
While I think all new parents should be given a copy of the spot-on introduction, my experience with the essays was varied.
Likely in part because having gone through the experience (x3) myself, I wasn’t so interested in reading about it. Likely also because I would have done better to read it a chapter a day rather than all at once on the day it was due back to the library. In part, also, because the essays often link a chain of thoughts and relationships which I didn’t always follow.
Regardless, there was a lot to enjoy. There were parts that made me laugh, feel nostalgic, or nod in agreement. I, too, want my original vagina back but enjoy the seemingly random dinner conversations that happen with kids. I, too, am happy to be done with arguments over teeth brushing order but miss lopsided smiles with baby, missing, and adult teeth. I, too, have zoned out during endless narratives by little kids who grew into big kids who only occasionally open the door to their thoughts.
There are parts that don’t resonate with me, but that’s to be expected. The experience of parenting and building a family is simultaneously universal and individual.
Likely in part because having gone through the experience (x3) myself, I wasn’t so interested in reading about it. Likely also because I would have done better to read it a chapter a day rather than all at once on the day it was due back to the library. In part, also, because the essays often link a chain of thoughts and relationships which I didn’t always follow.
Regardless, there was a lot to enjoy. There were parts that made me laugh, feel nostalgic, or nod in agreement. I, too, want my original vagina back but enjoy the seemingly random dinner conversations that happen with kids. I, too, am happy to be done with arguments over teeth brushing order but miss lopsided smiles with baby, missing, and adult teeth. I, too, have zoned out during endless narratives by little kids who grew into big kids who only occasionally open the door to their thoughts.
There are parts that don’t resonate with me, but that’s to be expected. The experience of parenting and building a family is simultaneously universal and individual.
melissa_withthelonglastname's review against another edition
4.0
I ADORED parts of this book, and others didn't really grab me. Catherine Newman is excellent in writing short essays/blog posts about raising her children, who both seem to be adorable little people. I couldn't quite get into her first book about pregnancy and babies, but this one was a great summer read. (And big hugs to whoever helped her divide the content up into nice, short chunks. That was my main complaint about Waiting for Birdy.)
roanfrancis's review against another edition
3.0
I read this whole book not really meaning to. It was kind of better than I expected without really holding my interest much? But here were many sweet parts. It read like a blog.
caitylino's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
Enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book; generally I love any stories like these that give a glimpse of motherhood in the little years. Solidarity.