What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do [Paperback]

Michele Gendelman (Author), Ilene Graff (Author), Donna Rosenstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2007

Written by three mothers who've been through it all, What the Other Mothers Know gives you straight, funny, realistic talk on:

• getting drool stains out of clothing
• finding the perfect babysitter and maintaining her loyalty
• taking car trips with toddlers
• recognizing how to set limits and holding to them
• sucking up to preschool directors
• keeping your child off ihatemymom.com
• And much, much more

The maternal wisdom of the ages is right in your hands—delivered with a heaping spoonful of humor.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gendelman, a comedy writer; Graff, a singer and actress; and Rosenstein, a casting director (combined mothers of four children), put their heads together to create this jaunty volume about the secrets "other mothers" know. Interviewing friends, colleagues, relatives and acquaintances in an intimate, casual manner, the three authors seek to provide a "maternal E-Z Pass" for inexperienced mothers. Advising novice moms to "always ask other moms for guidance, even if you don't know them personally," the authors believe that experienced parents will harbor tips and methods that new moms can't possibly know. Indeed, the authors do unearth plenty of worthy nuggets, such as sharing babysitting with another mom to get the grocery shopping done solo, or keeping a car seat in each family vehicle. But they also stumble upon some advice that, while original, seems questionable (e.g., use a speakerphone while expressing milk in the office (why not just take a time-out?); offer a toddler Daddy's ancient outdated baby underwear as a potty-training incentive). Written in a breezy, fun-loving style, the authors concentrate on the early years, working their way up to school-age kids. This self-described "mother of all mothering books" contains some useful and unique ideas, but it certainly won't stand alone on the parenting shelf. (Apr.)
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About the Author

Michele Gendelman is a comedy writer, with credits on “Newhart,” “Facts of Life,” and “Ghost Stories,” among many other shows. A part-time professor of screenwriting and film history at Los Angeles City College, she also writes animated series for Cartoon Network and PBS, and is married to writer/producer Andrew Guerdat. Her crowning achievement is having instilled a strong sense of humor in her children, Marc and Abby, and, above all, teaching them to laugh at themselves. Marc and Abby, however, prefer to laugh at their mother. And as far as they’re concerned, her greatest accomplishment is her mashed potatoes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (April 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061139866
• ISBN-13: 978-0061139864
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,821,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for first time parents!, June 8, 2007

By 

R. Neely (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do (Paperback)

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

I'm not a mom. I'm a dad, of an only child, now 24 and on her own. So, my wife and I went through all the panic and angst of first-time parents a long time ago, facing each new crisis ("Arghh! What do we do now?") as it came, stumbling through as best as we could, seeking advice from others who had trod the parenting path before us. Our poor kid must've felt like a science experiment as we tried "A," "B" and "C" until we finally got it right. When we saw this book, my wife and I bought it with a mind to giving it to "first time" moms (and dads) like we were. It is fabulous. Doesn't claim to be the be-all-end-all parenting book. Rather, it delivers wonderfully on its subtitle:

"A practical guide to child rearing told in a really nice, funny way that won't make you feel like a complete idiot the way all those other parenting books do."

Written by three working moms who combined their years of practical experience along with that of lots of "Other Mothers" so that we can learn all those lessons the "easy way," not the "hard way." Full of tidbits and tips from birth up into elementary school, ranging from the obvious to the devious. Funny, great perspective on dealing with that new person in the family which seems so tiny, yet changes us so fundamentally. Very easy to read. The book we wish we had when our child was an infant.

We have given this book to three first-time parents so far. Each of them has loved it, and thanked us profusely. We will give it to every single first time parent we know, and are telling all our younger friends about it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not your run of the mill parenting book, June 3, 2007

By 

Linda Lopresti (NYC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do (Paperback)

I've read more parenting books over the years then I care to count. Each book had it's points that I related to, while others I just skimmed over. This book has something for everyone. It's funny, honest, and while some may not agree about the many social pressures of child rearing, or feeding your kid macaroni and cheese, they are facts of life. It's a little "out of the box" which appeals to me. I enjoyed it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally the FUN part of parenting, June 11, 2007

By 

Diane Lander-Simon "dishwithdi" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice, Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel Like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do (Paperback)

Too bad this book was too late for me but I have given it to my new mother nieces and they have loved it. I got a lot of, "Are you kidding me?" and "Shut up!" when they read about all the stuff they never even knew existed. And I said, "Oh, yes, all true." Parenthood is a minefield and THIS is the map that gets you thru it without blowing up your kid or yourself. And it's a quick easy read that you can absorb without stress because the stuff is so funny you can't forget it. Even my nephews-in-law picked it up so you know it's good if a father will read it. Now I wish they'd write one about what they know about menopause. Quick!