Customer Reviews

Afterbirth: Stories You Won't Read in a Parenting Magazine

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've read about a million parenting books, essay collections etc. so I opened this book feeling ever-so-slightly jaded. "Does anyone have anything new to say about parenting?" I wondered to myself. Well, apparently yes. Starting from the introduction, I was hooked. These unabashedly honest stories (as the book says "Stories you won't read in a parenting magazine) run the gamut from tear jerkers like Joan Rater's (Grey's Anatomy) recounting of her less than ideal adoption of a baby from China who had a severe attachment disorder to stories that will make you smile like Andrew McCarthy's battle with his overpriced Bugaboo stroller. This book is packed with name brand writers and each of their tales packs a punch, often unexpected, always rewarding. I highly recommend this one to new and seasoned parents. Even if you, like me, thought you wouldn't be buying any more parenting books.

My partner bought this book for me after hearing about it on the radio. I laughed out loud while reading every essay in this book. I have read so much! And this book is one of the only ones that I really identified with-- humor and grace and humanity. I would recommend it for any new parent with a story to tell and a good sense of humor-- the essays are short and sweet and therefore perfect for reading while breastfeeding, or sitting in the other room while you take a little breather from your crying baby. I'm buying 2 today for friends and passing my copy around to whoever will read!

I definitely laughed out loud with this book and I read it pretty quickly because of how entertaining it is. Some parts did make me cringe and there were a couple parts I wish I could wash off of my brain. However, all good comedy typically crosses a line here or there. And it always makes you feel like a better parent when you can think to yourself... "at least formula has never reminded me of cocaine."

The ads I saw for this book billed it as humorous stories from new parents, and I bought it for some light reading before the birth of my second child. Unfortunately the short stories were so far from my own experience and values that I couldn't find humor or even enjoyment from any of them. I follow a relaxed version of attachment parenting, and the stories promoting circumcision and cry-it-out were hugely offensive to me. Also, the ones about people who just didn't really want a child, or who were still doing drugs on the kitchen counter, were too far beyond what I would ever condone for me to empathize or enjoy reading about. I got about halfway through and finally quit torturing myself. I can't even gift it because my friends would be similarly offended.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever had a child. It is absolutely hilarious, a collection of stories from "famous people" -- actors and mostly professional fiction writers -- who turn out to have the same difficulties we do with our kids. Misery loves rich and famous company! Watch your frustrations with your in-laws, your spouse and his/her family, the commercial industry around kids and even with your kids themselves unfold in all their insane details, in the lives of people you assume would have the funds to "fix it all." Lesson: it can't be fixed, but it's still worth it.

Pure 100 percent fun a great book to read ! You will giggel after reading the book for a long time a long long time. The book covers every thing from diapers to breaast feeding and so on . A kid takes a dump on a family phopto very very funny. A great writing and i wish there would be more of these kinda books.Tells you quick that all your litle mess ups as a parent is completley normal and the rich and famous do it too. Please buy this book the world nees smiling people. Translated that and make sure you have it available in all languages.

funny, short stories. Some are good little stories; but others are more like a stream of consciousness. Better editing needed

This book is pretty funny. There are some actual laugh out loud stories, especially if you've recently had a baby. Having just had my second baby, it was nice to take a break and have a good laugh with other parents. The short stories make it easy to pick up and put down when you have time.

This book came to me at a perfect time- after months of being sleep deprived and wondering if parenting was ever going to be fun. These stories are great because they show the honest, uncensored, hilarious and sometimes sad sides of parenting. I really enjoyed this book because I was tired of reading parenting stories about perfect little angels and relaxed moms who loved every minute of parenting. Let's be honest, no one really loves every second of being a parent because being a mom or a dad is tough stuff! And this book is full of stories about the hard times, sad times, weird times, gross times and funny times. It is truthful and I think most parents will appreciate that. I highly recommend it for parents of children of all ages!

Super funny book!!! all moms should read it, especially moms that feel they are not perfect.