The White Trash Mom Handbook: Embrace Your Inner Trailerpark, Forget Perfection, Resist Assimilation into the PTA, Stay Sane, and Keep Your Sense of Humor [Paperback]

Michelle Lamar (Author), Molly Wendland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2008

A mommy manifesto for the mom who proudly strives to be less-than-perfect

Michelle Lamar is a wry observer of the politics of elementary schools, the perfect moms who run them, and the kids who are trying to grow up without being embarrassed to death by their parents.  This book imparts invaluable advice on how to survive the brutal world of parenting, bake sales, and the PTA.

The White Trash Mom Handbook is a welcome and humorous approach to handling the pressures of modern-day motherhood.  Readers can get a good laugh while learning the knowledge and skills needed to become a White Trash Mom:

Fake Bakin’ - transform store-bought treats into bake sale bestsellers!
Making Friends - how to spot a fellow White Trash Mom from 50 paces
Helping Out - give back to the school without sacrificing your time or sanity.

The White Trash Mom Handbook will teach moms to let go of being the best and embrace their inner rebel so they can enjoy their kids more, avoid PTA purgatory, and get a real life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love it!  The immediate comparison is to my favorite pregnancy book, The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy.  I think every mom sending her child to kindergarten needs to read this book before Labor Day." -Amie Adams, DC Metro Moms, Mamma Loves, and Kirtsy  xxx "I aspire to the life lessons here, especially how to fake it for the bake sale." -Kara Swisher, Co-Executive Editor of All Things D, Author

 

“Take it from a Yellow Trash Dad that The White Trash Mom Handbook is a book that you should read. Actually, you don’t have to read it. Just buy it. Michelle will be just as happy either way--as would I be.” Guy Kawasaki, Co-founder of Alltop as in Moms.alltop.com, Author of The Art of the Start, founder of Garage Ventures xxx “Filled with lots of funny anecdotes and practical advice on not letting the pretentious aspects of Modern Parenting get you down.” -Gabrielle Blair, New York Designer, writer of “Design Mom” and founder of online community KIRTSY.

 

"Michelle Lamar's refreshingly realistic take on motherhood never fails to amuse -- and inform. If only we were neighbors, we'd buy her a beer." -Jessica Morgan, creator of HeatherCocksGoFugYourself.com and author of The Fug Awards 

 

"Michelle totally strips the veneer off the ideal mom and tells you to knock it off already if you are spending time and energy trying to be perfect, or even good enough.” -Melinda Roberts, The Mommy Blog, Chief Blogger for MomBlog Network, Author 

 

 "Some clarification is due here: Michelle is being ironic when she uses the term White Trash as in ‘My house doesn't look like the pages of Martha Stewart's Living -- I guess we're White Trash.’ Or ‘We were in a hurry, so the kids had a drive-thru lunch today -- I guess I'm White Trash.’  If you are looking for decorating tips for your doublewide trailer, this book is not for you. But if you'd like some real advice on juggling motherhood and work, navigating the hierarchy of your kids' schools or how to deal with the PTA, you will enjoy Michelle's book.” -Donna Schwartz Mills, Blogger for Socal Mom and Momocrats  

 

"This handbook is a LIFESAVER.  Now I can Fake It For the Bake Sale and Blend IN at the PTA meetings.  Michelle Lamar's irreverent handbook is a must read for all mothers. It's a reminder that no mom is perfect and offers tips and tricks even the trashiest Mom can use to help navigate the mess of love that is parenthood. " -Erin Kotecki, Vest-Queen of Spain Blog, Huffington Post

 

 “Buy it for your sister-in-law who gives you the stink-eye every time you give your kid an unthawed eggo.  Buy it for the woman in your mommy-and-me group who makes you feel like crap for not making your 3 year old go to Violin/French/Juggling lessons and send another copy to the bitchy chick down the street.  The White Trash Mom Handbook is not about money or status or education. It's about giving yourself the freedom to be yourself, and that is a good thing indeed.” -Jenny Lawson, Houston Chronicle and The Bloggess

 

“Every mother out there who doesn’t have a full-time nanny, chef, chauffeur, agent, personal trainer and masseuse should read this book!  The White Trash Mom Handbook  is mommy self-help at its finest and funniest.” -Lash Fary, Celebrity Gift Guru and Author

 

 "Whether you need help faking a tray of “homemade” brownies for the bake sale, or coming up with outrageous lies to tell your children for their own good, the White Trash Mom Handbook is a veritable encyclopedia of common sense wisdom. In a world that seems to continually reward style over substance, The White Trash Mom Handbook is a modern-day 95 Theses nailed to the pre-school door.” -Christopher B. O’Hara, author of Great American Beer, Senior Vice President, Reviewed.com

 

"Blogebrity, the "velvet rope" of the blog world has deemed White Trash Mom worthy of our “B” list.  The book is funny, even if you're not a parent." -Kyle Bunch Blogebrity.com

 

"Out of all the parenting books available to moms these days, White Trash Mom stands out. More than just a fierce, strong and hilarious punch back at the competitive moms - called out as Muffia - Michelle's book serves as a guide for moms with children of all ages to band together and revel in our imperfections. Plus, it goes well with a nice Merlot." -Stephanie Wilder Taylor, author of Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay and Naptime is the New Happyhour

About the Author

MICHELLE LAMAR aka “The White Trash Mom” has 20 years experience in the advertising and public relations business. Her website, www.whitetrashmom.com averages more than 3,500 unique visitors per week and counting and her blog has over 25,000 readers per month. In addition, Michelle blogs on Disney’s Family.com and contributes to a very popular blog called “Celebitchy” that gets over 2.5 million readers a month. 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312371225
• ISBN-13: 978-0312371227
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have guide to navigating to life as the parent of an elementary school child, August 5, 2008

By 

Jenny B (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Trash Mom Handbook: Embrace Your Inner Trailerpark, Forget Perfection, Resist Assimilation into the PTA, Stay Sane, and Keep Your Sense of Humor (Paperback)

This is a great book, with really solid tips and trips written in a uniquely hilarious style. Don't be fooled by the title; the bulk of this book is extremely relevant to most parents (trashy, white, or otherwise) on how to keep your sanity and perspective in a society that tends towards extreme parenting. A must-read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Twinkie Kabobs at Their Finest, May 24, 2009

By 

Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT "The Go-To Mom" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Trash Mom Handbook: Embrace Your Inner Trailerpark, Forget Perfection, Resist Assimilation into the PTA, Stay Sane, and Keep Your Sense of Humor (Paperback)

Love this book. It was a fast read. That Michelle Lamar is one sharp cookie. She is on a crusade against perfection and leads us on a trail to follow. Who said motherhood has to be pretty and perfect? Ah ha, she gives real and honest advice about how to navigate your way through the school yard, but also makes you laugh by sharing her personal stories. This book will make you miss the days of opening your lunch box and seeing that foiled wrapped ding dong.

Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT

www.TheGoToMom.TV

Mommy Confidence: 8 Easy Steps to Reclaiming Balance, Motivation, and Your Inner Diva

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect present (for yourself!) for mother's day!, April 23, 2009

By 

Romi Lassally (los angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White Trash Mom Handbook: Embrace Your Inner Trailerpark, Forget Perfection, Resist Assimilation into the PTA, Stay Sane, and Keep Your Sense of Humor (Paperback)

I just received a copy of this book as a gift from a mom girlfriend and what a treat it was! I've just bought a stack to give out to my friends at our annual mother's day party (without our kids!)because it's the perfect combination of great (hysterical!) writing and really thoughtful, smart, tried in the field tips. I wish this author lived in my neighborhood -- her advice helps me get through my insane days as a mother of three. Good thing I can visit her blog at least.

Thank you Michelle Lamar!