Sleeping Through the Night. . . and Other Lies [Hardcover]

Sandi Kahn Shelton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1999

Sandi Kahn Shelton takes readers on a wild ride through parenting -- from the first disillusioning night home from the hospital with a brand-new baby to the joys of toilet training and the hair-raising terrible twos. Honest, encouraging, and side-splittingly funny, this book is just what every new mom and dad needs to help them see the lighter side of changing diapers, meddling in-laws, baby's first curse word, and, of course, sleepless nights.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The secret to surviving parenthood? It's laughter, according to author Sandi Kahn Shelton. In this delightful book, Shelton, who's also the humor columnist for Working Mother magazine, dishes up hilarious insights into the inner workings of infants and toddlers that only a mother of three could provide. From sleep deprivation to sleeping with toasters, choosing child-care, and waiting for poop, Shelton touches on all the hottest topics of the first three years of parenthood. Organized by subject, instead of in chronological order, you'll find witty and wonderful stories in chapters such as "Why Babies Cry," "The Daddy Dance," "You Can Leave Home Without Them," "Parenting in Public," and "Life in the Terrible Twos." Shelton at one moment bombards us with such pure silliness as "Spaghetti goes on the head; that's why it's made in strands," and then, at the next opportunity, turns on the compassion with "you're most likely going to live through this time in your life. Especially if you can laugh. In fact, definitely if you can laugh." With such wit and wisdom, Shelton will help you see the lighter side of parenthood--and, hopefully, help you enjoy it even more. --Kelley Smith

From Publishers Weekly

Shelton's humorous look at the first three years of parenthood is so honest that it may be appreciated only by those who are already parents. Others will either dismiss the book as a pack of lies, because they can't believe anyone would ever be so tired that she would catch a quick nap in the car waiting at a red light, or they will run to the medicine cabinet and check their birth control very carefully. With a breezy style that belies a sophisticated wit, Shelton (You Might As Well Laugh: Surviving the Joys of Parenthood) exaggerates daily life with a baby, but only just a little. Readers will need to pay attention to realize when she crosses the line from vaguely absurd reality to hyperbole. A humor columnist for Working Mother, Shelton touches on almost every parenting topic imaginable, with brief essays grouped by subjects such as sleeping, crying, nursing, dressing, feeding, talking, worrying, calming, separating and, of course, potty training. The book's format works well for the most part, although there are some sections, such as the one about "sneaky sleep"Athe 15-minute nap that can sabotage a child's sleep patterns for daysAthat could have been longer. And while some chapters are funnier than others, Shelton's book is a welcome addition to the parenting bookshelf. Author tour.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1St Edition edition (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312203624
• ISBN-13: 978-0312203627
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,735,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, where I wrote my first book of fiction (a story about a king who was tired) when I was five years old and sold it to the neighbors so I could get money for ice cream. Since then, I've been a newspaper reporter, a columnist for Working Mother magazine, a free-lance writer, the author of three non-fiction humor books about parenting--and now, at last, as the author of two novels, I'm happy to be back to my fiction roots. Someday perhaps I'll do an update on the tired king. Meanwhile, I'm working on a new book, a love story, in between letting my golden retriever in and out of the house every couple of minutes or so.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed so hard I almost had an accident!!!, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sleeping Through the Night. . . and Other Lies (Hardcover)

All I can say is: If you are suffering from a case of parenting frusteration, this book will remind you that you are not alone, and that you are NOT crazy!! I felt like I was reading about my own days and nights. My son is 15 months, and already, I could relate to just about everything the author talks about. You will laugh until your sides hurt. I looked forward to being able to read this book everyday, and was really bummed out when I got to the end....oh well, guess I'll just have to buy another book by Sandy Kahn Shelton!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A humorous and irreverent look at the first three years., July 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sleeping Through the Night. . . and Other Lies (Hardcover)

If you want a manual on how to raise children then this book is not for you. If,however, you are looking for a good laugh then Sleeping Through The Night is a must read! Shelton's humorous and irreverent look at life with babbies and toddlers is refreshing and validating.She has a realistic outlook on the wild, wonderful and often exhausting first three years of your child's life. It is worth giving up a little sleep to read this very funny tome on toddlerhood and baby days.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love Erma Bombeck and Vickie Iovine you'll love this, August 28, 2001

By 

Diane (Glen Allen, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleeping Through the Night...and Other Lies: The Mysteries, Marvels, and Mayhem in the First Three Years of Parenthood (Mass Market Paperback)

I actually checked this book out (along with all the others the library had on the subject) when my 2 year old twins were not sleeping well. While this book offered no practical tips, it reminded me of just how babies can change our lives. In fact it is the only one I read cover to cover, and I enjoyed EVERY minute of it. In the true spirit of every comedian, she takes the everyday baby-related things and makes us laugh. She reflects on everything from our pre-baby notions of "how it will be in our house" to the amazing things toddlers say in public. One of my favorite sections was on nursing and making sure the word/phrase you use is "public friendly". Oh, and of course, the section on sleep reminded me that one day I will look back on this "phase" with humor. I already buy Vickie Iovine's "Girlfriend's Guides" for my pregnant or newly blessed friends. I will certainly be adding this book to the package! I also highly recommend it for any parent who is trapped in any "phase" that babies/toddlers go through. For it will surely make you forget your worries, fears, and distress and make you laugh. (Just don't miss too much sleep by reading it all night!)