Customer Reviews

Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

I truly enjoyed and relate to this book. Being a mother, although wonderful, is much more challenging than I ever imagined. Those who have left negative reviews need to respect that the author is sharing her experiences as a mother, from her perspective. Nowhere does she suggest that HER way of doing things is the "best" way, or the only way. In fact, I don't hear her advocating ANYTHING in this book other than being respectful and supportive of one another as mothers. She is making the all too important and often overlooked point that there are MANY different "good" ways of parenting, and we as mothers should respect one another's choices, discard competitive subtexts, and be supportive of one another. Refering to one another as "sissies" as a previous reviewer did and believing (or perceiving) that because you have had success with a particular parenting style or choice that you can make presumptions and judgments about another mother who is struggling or made a less "popular" choice in that area is both ignorant and overly simplistic, and is most likely indicative of one's own insecurities as a parent. I applaud Stefanie for her honesty and candor. I will be sharing this book with many friends.

If you are a super-mom skip this book. If you are like the rest of us and struggling day-to-day this is a must read. I laughed out loud many times. For those of us that had an "active social life" pre-baby and hope to have one in the next 20 years-you will totally relate to this book. I too,will also include this as my new baby shower gift must haves!!

I purchased this book as a baby shower gift for a new mom who was having her second child in 14 months. It was the hit of the party and everyone there, especially Grandma and older "been there, done that" moms, had a huge laugh over the suggestions contained within.

I've read numerous books on motherhood and parenting. This one is hilarious and real. The reviewers who gave it only one star just don't have a sense of humor. Stefanie is sarcastic and perhaps some people don't "get" sarcasm. But she's also honest about her experience. I love how she encourages moms to lighten up and stop being so hard on themselves. I wish this book had been out when I was a first time mom, home alone with a newborn.

My husband bought me this book when I was newly pregnant with our now 19 month old daughter. I got a kick out of it when I read it the first time (at 3 months pregnant). Funny and up-beat, non-apologetic tone. Then I put it on the shelf with my other books on parenting/baby. My best friend just got pregnant and I thought that I would send her this book as well (she also has a great sense of humor and would 'get' this book. I was just going to send her my copy with a "keep or pass on" note. I thought I would re-read it before I sent it off. Well, I'm now getting my friend her own copy because this book is even more funny once your child has been through some of the milestones/experiences in the book. Now that my daughter is a bit older, I'm looking to get the toddler version as well. It's a quick read and good for a laugh. For those that slam it - it's not intended to be advice, just a light read to make you feel like someone else is in the trenches with you.

Not serious advice, people! But, y'know, apropo advice for the certain type of mom who maybe never felt she fit the standard American "mom" type. Short chapters, swift reading ~ easy for the commute or perhaps while feeding the new one ;-) (hey, better than guzzling chardonnay and watching soaps!)

laugh out loud funny. The worst part about this book is that it had to end. A must-read for any new or expectant mommy. Wish I'd read it earlier.

I read some of the one-star reviews and hey, everyone has a right to their opinion and thanks amazon for giving us the venue to vent and to applaud.

I ordered this book for research on a writing project since my kids are now in their twenties and I needed updating.

While it may not help a new mom who is SERIOUS (about being serious about being an educated and informed wonderfully loving mother)...this book is a FABULOUS companion piece that will help her NOT BE SO SERIOUS.

It is irreverent (like Annie Lamott's "Operating Instructions", it makes fun of stuff I've done and stuff I've watched others do and wondered, "are they right and I'm wrong...or I'm right and they're wrong". I completely get Wilder-Taylor's love and devotion for her daughter (just like Lamott's for her Sam). They just know how to also be FUNNY!

I wish I had both of these books when my boys were babies!

I have been laughing out loud -- so much so that my husband hunts me down to make sure I'm okay. Bravo Stefanie Wilder-Taylor!

You have offered A LOT of really practical, relevant, honest and thoughtful information here. AND YOU'RE FUNNY.

I don't see that you're being judgmental at all. If anything, I'm getting over and over again that your bottom line is: there is no ONE way and we all find our own way in this new mom adventure. (and we're still learning)

I'm ordering a copy right now for a new mom of a one-month old because you share the truth and you make us laugh. And she will feel relieved that she can pick up your book - randomly open to any page - and receive HELP along with LAUGHTER. Both count!

The book world is so full of authors and doctors telling new moms what to expect. After being given a few of these types of books, I was thrilled to receive this book from a friend. It is hilarious and refreshing. I don't think that she "makes fun" of post-partum depression or any other subject, as another reviewer wrote. I felt that she made light of certain subjects in a way that is a total breath of fresh air to those of us who are just tired. of. being. told. what. to. expect. I don't feel it was disrespectful; the book is written in a comical tone, so I took her jabs as funny and comical instead of mean or hurtful. I've heard so much advice and so many stupid pregnancy myths that I could just rip my hair out. When I feel I'm at wit's end, I pull out this book to have a laugh.

It did bother me that other reviewers have said that the author makes light of post-partum depression, which she most certainly does not. I'm not sure if maybe they just assumed that, since it is a "funny" book and the subject of PPD is addressed, she must have been disrespectful. To the contrary, in the small portion in which she mentions beyond-baby-blues, she says that if you have these feelings RUN, don't walk, to your doctor and get help. There is no joke about harming yourself or your baby, as there shouldn't be.

I take this book with me when I hit the salon for a pedicure and I swear I've been asked ten times what I'm reading that makes me laugh so hard. Warning: There IS cursing, which I find well-placed and funny, but others may find offensive. She also DOES make light of certain subjects, which some people obviously find offensive or hurtful. I thought it was hilarious and a light, easy read for us new moms who would like to read about babies or pregnancy but are tired of hearing the same things from well-meaning strangers. Five stars.

I received this book as a gift and didn't get to it until my youngest was 2 and my eldest 5...mistake. The most important part of this book (and unfortunately what her detractors apparently miss as a result of her barbed sarcasm and humor) is that she does not advocate a way to parent. She quickly debunks the notion that we should all be stoic and pretend becoming a parent is second-nature and easy, so as not to fail in the eyes of others in a world that is incredibly judgmental. How refreshing! She thinks, and I agree, that most parenting experiences you'll run across are too extreme and that there is simply no "only way"...to wean, potty train, sleep train, feed, etc. Without naming and shaming, we are all familiar with the books/experts (and also our friends and family!) who claim there is only one valid experience on their prized topic. Simply put, those ideas are great...but they are ideas and ideals, and they won't necessarily work for you, your baby, family or situation. I applaud her for writing a book that tells you that you shouldn't feel guilty or less of a parent because you use disposable diapers, don't make homemade organic baby food, or decided to ferberize your baby-but if you do, great. Her lack of breastfeeding in no way made me (as a breastfeeding advocate who chose/was able to do so for 33 months combined) feel like my choice was less valid. Instead, I applaud her for her honesty that breastfeeding can be very painful, that she was resentful of her husband for his perceived uselessness, and her reluctance to become an asexual, shapeless mess who only ever talked about her baby and who simply couldn't relate to her single friends anymore. In my mind the only people who this book isn't right for are the people who advocate the "only way" system. Ironically it is these people who perhaps need to read it the most. Definitely worth a read, before the baby or after...