Customer Reviews
An enormously helpful read for the involuntarily childless - By: J. Glass, 18 May 2008 
It's no exaggeration to say this book changed my life. It has helped me come to terms with my infertilityin a way that nothing else I've read has done. Previously I had a bit of a rose-tinted view of parenthood. I'd always assumed that everyone who had children enjoyed being a parent & that I was "missing out". This book was a breath of fresh air. I don't think it is negative, just refreshingly frank, honest & unsentimental about children & parenting.
Dont buy this if you are a new parent - By: Mr. Ce Southern, 27 Mar 2008 
One of the most negative books I've ever read, a thoroughly miserable read. Jeffers rams home her point by continually quoting people throughout the book on how miserable they became once they became parents. I think she misses the point about this & lifein general - its bloody hard no matter what you do! I felt insulted by this book as I thought it would give me greater insight on being a new parent. In reality the book is written from a feminist angle & no matter what she does by quoting a few scientific facts she can't disguise this at all. Ignore this book as we all know feminism is another failed social ideal thatin the end turned out to be anti-familiy. Quite the most selfish book ever written. We all know that children are going to be hard work. But sometimes that first smile or laugh will give you immeasurable pleasure that you'll remember forever & a day, & really is worth it after all!
Resonates when you are struggling - By: J. L. OREILLY, 20 Feb 2008 
Okay, I agree there are times when Jeffers seems a little extremein her views but this was the first time I found a voice for lots of little guilty thoughts I had. It is ok to hate playing railway track or superheroes with your kids, just focus on doing something you will like. This is my number one recommended read for those parents who feel like they have lost much of themselvesin their efforts to raise good kids. Some of us need to know it is okay to feel a little resentful some of the time!
Fairly good antidote to the "Blame parents for everything" culture - By: Marshall Lord, 22 Dec 2007 If you are looking for a humorous antidote to the current culture of blaming parents for everything that's wrong with the universe & something to damp down the huge complex of guilt & worry which seems to be inflicted on almost every parent of toddlers today, this can help provide it.
IMHO this book is neither as good as most of the positive reviews here suggest or nearly as bad as the one negative review makes out.
I quite enjoyed it, my wife didn't because she found it far too negative, & she does have a point. Being a parent is often wonderful, but I doubt if anyone who has not been through it fully appreciates how tough it can be (and as a father of twins, I would add that it's even harder for parents of twins & multiple birth children.)
Modern attitudes to blaming the parents for everything while frowning on almost every form of discipline make the job even more challenging. The biggest regret of my life is the fact that my parents died before my children were born, & one of several reasons for this is that I never had the chance to say to my mum & dad, now that I have a better idea what I put them through, "Sorry, & thank you for not killing me."
I bought this book because I assumed from the title that it would help a harrassed parent laugh about some of the situations which one would otherwise get upset or guilty about. I also thought it would be a welcome antidote both to the guilt complex which surrounds modern parenthood - e.g. everything which goes wrong is always your fault - & to the idea that being a mother or father is always wonderful. The book does achieve this.
However, there are times when it goes way too far towards the opposite extreme & is rather too negative. There are some very witty comments & some very good insights, & I don't regret reading this, but only as an antidote to a culture which leans too farin one direction. If this book were readin isolation it would put too much emphasis on the negative aspects of parenthood.
An Excellent Book - By: Love Books, 05 Oct 2007 I have an LBP gene (you'll understand if you read the book!). However, I like this book as it is parenting without the sugar coating & presents a real view of many people's experiences of parenting. I don't agree with all of Jeffers views. However, it's a good book & I have come back to it more than once over the years when my kids have been changing. Chapters include:- Why didn't anyone tell me, I want my life back, The unspeakable truth about kids & guilt peddlars. A good book that I won't be giving away any time soon.
