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THE REBEL MAMA'S HANDBOOK FOR (COOL) MOMS by Aleksandra  Jassem

THE REBEL MAMA'S HANDBOOK FOR (COOL) MOMS

by Aleksandra JassemNikita Stanley

Pub Date: April 24th, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5255-2496-7
Publisher: FriesenPress

Two bloggers mix a concoction of ideas for surviving pregnancy and early motherhood.

Inspired by their blog The Rebel Mama, Jassem and Stanley compiled this irreverent debut guide of tips, rants, and pats on the back for mothers-to-be and young moms. Divided into seven parts, the fun begins with a tongue-in-cheek “Glossary of Rebel Mama Terms.” According to the authors, “AF” means “As Fuck,” and before labor, they thought they were “prepared AF.” Offering bulleted tidbits of “Unsolicited Rapid-Fire Advice,” easy-to-scan chapters include topics like chapped nipples (lanolin cream is a must), maternity clothes (they’re not needed; just go up a size or two), and postnatal pancake boobs (don’t worry; the authors say pancakes are in vogue now). A couple of simple charts are also provided, such as one that lists the pros and cons of child care options when considering whether to work at home. Emphasizing alcohol—lots and lots of alcohol—the authors include a list of drinks (for example, Scotch on the rocks “because your child has recently learned how to talk back”). One laugh-out-loud section compares a toddler to a drunk college roommate. Often, the writing feels cathartic (“How to Not Lose Your Shit On The Daily”). But the inelegant language—a baby is “the tiny ball and chain” and a man is “the dude that knocked you up”—may seem immature to some readers. In addition, moms on a tight budget may find it difficult to relate to the more privileged ideas, such as paying for a professional maternity photo shoot (or a trip to Paris). And harried mamas who barely have time to put on stained T-shirts most mornings may roll their eyes at the model-perfect photos of the authors throughout the book. Nevertheless, there is thoughtful advice here, like the wise words from Stanley’s grandma about having patience with newborns. Urging compassion for mothers-in-law (yes, really), the authors write that “she’s doing her best, just like us.”

A strong dose of Joan Rivers-esque humor in a helpful manual talking about babies (and cocktails).