mommymedia : funny

Fat Daddy/Fit Daddy: A Man’s Guide to Balancing Fitness and Family

Satya — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:35:00 GMT

This book is laugh-out-loud funny and easy to read. Lawrence Schwartz writes as a normal guy – full of football analogies, playful insults and sexual innuendos. The bulk of the book is focused on fitness and nutrition for dads, with a decent portion devoted to fitness involving the whole family and lots of tips for keeping the marriage together. It’s ironic coming from a divorced father, but perhaps that’s why the advice is so good. You can blow through this book and then keep it for reference as the information is fairly straight forward.

The best parts of this book are the creative ways to incorporate fitness in the family, his marriage tips, and of course, the jokes. The fitness information is valuable and pretty much right on, although since its release in 2003, new health and nutritional data have been discovered making it a bit dated. It’s astonishing to learn in this book that the average person gains at least one pound a year, or that over 90 percent of married couples that exercise together stay together. If you’re looking for how to keep the pounds off, then Schwartz has the advice you need. He provides an exhaustive list of nutrients and their importance, and plenty of ways to burn calories and build muscle, as well as sound fitness advice. He does not make it easy for dad though. In fact, he pretty much tells you to not make excuses and exercise for one hour everyday.

This book is very funny and a pleasure to read. Moms looking to buy their “fat daddy” a book would do well with this one; in the midst of all the fitness talk, he gives fathering and relationship advice that would go a long way in any family. Pick up a copy here.

Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism

Satya — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:54:00 GMT

Louder Than Words is about a mother’s determination to heal her child. Jenny McCarthy has done it again with another book you can’t put down. She writes like she’s talking to her best friend, inspiring the reader with stories of strong maternal instincts during the most trying time of her life.

Similar to her other books, you can read it in a couple hours and it will make you laugh and cry at times. However, this book has a much different tone; this one is like watching an action film where the frantic mother is in a race against time to save her son. You don’t need to have an autistic child to appreciate this book; you just need to be a mom.

Her book reveals another world that most people are not aware of: a world in which moms are essentially abandoned by the medical community as they frantically search for answers to their child’s illness, where conventional doctors lead them nowhere and they must rely on each other for help. McCarthy strives to reveal to the world what life with autism is like and she does an incredible job. Despite the controversy surrounding her stance on vaccines and their possible link to autism, she says very little on the subject and instead educates the reader on autism, its increasing frequency, theories of its origin and most importantly, how to treat it when possible. No doubt, she will have you questioning the medical industry and autism’s link to vaccines, but she doesn’t dwell on these things. A group of mothers with autistic children asked her to be their voice and she has, with an unforgettable book that educates and provides the information that she prayed she had when her son was diagnosed. Pick up a copy here.

Babies and Other Hazards of Sex: How to Make a Tiny Person in Only 9 Months With Tools You Probably Have Around the Home

Satya — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:53:00 GMT

Dave Barry has an impressive following. Not only is he the author of more than 20 books, but he is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose articles appear in hundreds of newspapers every week. What draws millions of readers to Barry’s work is his uncanny ability to see everyday things from a uniquely humorous perspective. In “Babies and Other Hazards of Sex,” Barry shares these perspectives on everything from sex to childbirth to parenting, referring to natural childbirth as “a pop phenomenon of the 1960s that, along with paisley bell-bottoms and creative sideburns, deserves a rest.” This book is a fun and entertaining read for everyone, whether you’re a parent, non-parent or parent-to-be. While its comical exaggerations will make you laugh until your sides hurt, as all of Barry’s books do, “Babies and Other Hazards of Sex” also provides an accurate description of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. One reader says “Dave Barry hits the nail right on the head” with his advice to adults about dirty diapers, burping bibs and other not-so-pleasant baby behaviors. We think you’ll find Barry’s candid and humorous approach refreshing, especially if you’ve read other baby books that may have led you to believe that a baby will bring you nothing but joy and wonder. Basically, as this book tells you, be prepared for the gross stuff, too! Pick up a copy here.

Hello, My Name is Mommy: The Dysfunctional Girl's Guide to Having, Loving (and Hopefully Not Screwing Up) a Baby

Satya — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:58:00 GMT

For every new mother and mommy-to-be who feels more helpless at times than she does confident, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” is a must-read. Funny, inspirational and honest, author Sheri Lynch writes from her own experiences as a child and her fears about becoming a mom. In a girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone, she speaks to readers about what many moms worry about, like whether her own dysfunctional past means she is doomed to repeat the cycle, or whether she can be a good mother even if her own mom didn’t exactly win the prize for “Mother of the Year.” In both a humorous and endearing way, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” reassures moms and moms-to-be that it’s normal to feel more out of control than aglow all the time, and just because you might think of kids as germy and somewhat gross, having these thoughts don’t make you a bad mom. For any mom or soon-to-be mom who’s ever felt alone in her thoughts, this insightful and laugh-out-loud guide will assure you that you’re not. One thankful mother who read this book in just a few days says she laughed, cried and gasped all the way through it. Full of useful advice and kind understanding, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” is a great read for any mother who isn't quite sure whether her maternal instincts can be trusted. Pick up a copy here.

They Lied! True Tales of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding

Satya — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:39:00 GMT

In a compilation of true-life stories submitted by parents around the world, co-creators of the book They Lied! True Tales of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Breastfeeding Theresa Kane and Tamara Talbot provide an outlet for mothers everywhere to share their funny, priceless, offbeat and often touching stories of pregnancy and parenthood. Filled from page to page with real-life experiences that celebrate the entire childbearing experience, from pre-conception gymnastics to infants dancing while they nurse, They Lied! is truly a delightful read.

With a heavy dose of humor and an equal touch of candor, an hour reading this book is like an hour spent with a pregnancy and parenting support group. One reader says, “You can’t understand the total experience of pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding without reading this book.” If you’re looking for a break from all the medical information you’ve received from your doctor and other pregnancy books, consider adding They Lied! to your baby shower gift registry. After experiencing countless uninvited belly rubs and “leaking” breasts, you’re sure to find relief in knowing that many women before you have survived uncomfortable and often embarrassing situations. Hilarious and heartwarming, They Lied! does a wonderful job of enlightening a topic that sometimes seems overwhelming, and helps expectant mothers realize they’re not in it alone. Pick up a copy here.

Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood

Satya — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:45:00 GMT

Save Jenny McCarthy’s Baby Laughs for when you need a pick-me-up because you are definitely going to laugh. It is a riot and pokes fun at some of the biggest stressors a new mom can face. It can easily be read in one sitting, but try to take your time and enjoy it.

Reading her book is like sitting in a room with McCarthy herself, watching her run frantically around her home in complete panic with her newborn in her arms. Being the bodacious babe that she is, it feels great to hear the pregnancy hormones did a number on her, and even she had trouble losing the baby weight.

McCarthy is brutally honest, which is completely refreshing for a first-time mom. Her advice is caring and open-minded. Her parenting style and experiences are common to many of us. She encourages moms to stand by their choices, but still gives information on the many options available to us and why one may be better than the other.

Baby Laughs is a must-read for any new mom! Pick up a copy here.

The Mommy Chronicles: Conversations Sharing the Comedy and Drama of Pregnancy and New Motherhood

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:30:00 GMT

You’re six months pregnant. Your feet are swollen, your back hurts, and you could really use a bowl of that chocolate ice cream your husband finished off last night. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to e-mail your best friend and complain to someone who knows exactly how you feel because she’s pregnant, too? That’s what girlfriends Stephanie Triplett and Sara Ellington did, and they turned their e-mails into a book.

With their babies due just a few weeks apart, the two women learned things from each other that they didn’t find in pregnancy books. They discovered many aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood that no one ever seemed to talk about. “The Mommy Chronicles” is a candid, honest view into the lives and emotions of two new mothers. They share their own experiences of pregnancy and motherhood in intimate, often hilarious detail.

Reading this book is like listening in on a personal, in-depth conversation between two women as they laugh, cry, worry and celebrate becoming mothers. Topics they cover range from labor and delivery and career choices to postpartum depression and husbands who just don’t get it. One reader raves, “I thought I had read it all when it comes to being a mommy, but this book really spoke to my heart.” She continues, “When you are blessed with a precious new baby … you're really wondering if you're getting anything right. Being privy to the conversations between these girlfriends reassures and empowers any new or experienced mom that she is raising her family in her own ‘right’ way.”

In addition to its entertaining content, you’ll appreciate the easy-to-read format “The Mommy Chronicles” is presented in, earning the book a practically perfect score on Amazon.com.

Get yourself a copy here.

The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy (Or Everything Your Doctor Won't Tell You)

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:26:00 GMT

Your mother buys you baby clothes. Your doctor gives you medical advice. But who can you trust to give you the real skinny when you're pregnant? Your girlfriends, of course!

“A breath of fresh air,” as one mom calls it, Vicki Iovine’s “The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy” is a long-standing favorite of mommies-to-be. A four-time delivery room veteran, Iovine believes women learn the really valuable things about pregnancy from other women. She speaks to you the way only a best friend can – straight talk about the things you’re too embarrassed to share with your mom or doctor.

In a voice that is both sassy and reassuring, she exposes the "truths" of pregnancy and childbirth, from sex to cesareans to cellulite.

“The Girlfriends’ Guide” doesn’t take the place of "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" but it isn’t meant to. When you need a break from your collection of serious, clinical books, this book offers a candid, witty and humorous take on all things pregnant.

Get yourself a copy here.

Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth

Satya — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:15:00 GMT

You remember Jenny McCarthy: actress, television star, typical blonde bombshell. But it was more than just good looks that made the former Playboy centerfold memorable.

McCarthy established herself in the entertainment industry as a pretty girl with a nasty mouth, and aside from becoming a mom, not much about her has changed since she came on the scene. After giving birth to her first child in 2002, McCarthy thought she’d share the not-so-pretty details of her pregnancy with readers in a book called “Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth.”

At the outset, she writes, "If you bought this book, you are already aware of my frankness when it comes to certain things – anatomy and bodily functions among them.” She goes on to share the details of her bouts of morning sickness, hormonal rage, gas, hemorrhoids, weight gain, hot flashes, fainting spells and more.

Throughout “Belly Laughs,” McCarthy is undeniably crass but funny, self-deprecating but honest, repulsive but reassuring, all at the same time. In the end, a refreshing read that promises a good laugh for any mommy-to-be.

Get yourself a copy here.