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There has been a real buzz around this book in the blogosphere. And with lines like “sometimes you don’t need advice, sometimes you just need a cocktail at naptime”, it’s no wonder. And that’s just the first page.
Priding itself on giving the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of parenting, this book aims at being a humourous look at motherhood. Except it’s not humourous… it’s absolutely hilarious!
This self-confessed “woefully inadequate guide to early motherhood” starts with a punch, with a talk about post-natal sex, boobs and stretch marks. And we discover that these women really do tell it like it is, no holds barred.
Now that’s a unique first chapter!
We then move onto a look at ‘boob fascists’ (i.e. the nurses providing breastfeeding instruction post-birth), the advice you’ll receive in those first few days (oh yes, I distinctly remember laughing in the face of one nurse telling me to wake my baby to feed her!), and hormones. Yes, even these subjects become funny in the capable hands of these authors.
Next we hit the point of weight, and ‘yummy mummy’ status (don’t we all hate that term?!). Martin and Kaufmann look at the funny side of staying fit as a mother, along with some good home truths about diet.
And so it goes. But my favourite section would have to be the one about going back to work versus staying at home with your child. This is such a huge decision in the life of a new mum, and one that Cocktails at Naptime tells us will most definitely – no matter the decision – come laden with guilt. The childcare, the time factor, and the all-important question – what did I do again? – are all tackled here.
Combined with fun cartoons, he said/she said columns showing the difference in male and female brains, short case studies, and funny lists that must have been a hoot to write, this is a book filled with all the things worrying new mums – that they can’t always talk about. Putting them in such an honest and funny way, and showing women that they’re not alone, makes things that little bit easier for women who are struggling – or who just need a good laugh (and let’s face it, there’s no such thing as not needing a laugh).
This book is a must-read for any new mum or not-so-new mum, and would make a great baby shower gift.
Title: Cocktails at Naptime
Author: Gillian Martin and Emma Kaufmann
Category: Non-fiction
Publisher: Finch Publishing
ISBN: 9781921462177
RRP: $29.95
Publication Date: October 2010