I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Jenna McCarthy’s book The Parent Trip: from high heels and parties to highchairs and potties in response to our call for advice on traveling with a youngster. Her stories about traveling were great, but I found interesting and entertaining information throughout this short, but sweet read. (Short being key when you’re a mom who barely has time for such pleasures!)
McCarthy writes about her experiences starting from the decision to have a baby, through the birth itself. Her insights not only struck a cord with me as I recalled my own experiences, but also cracked me up. Soon-to-be moms or new moms will find solace in McCarthy’s honest interpretations of what a real woman experiences in pregnancy, birth and new mommy-ness. What to Expect it is not (she even has a disclaimer), but sometimes the best medicine you can get when you’re struggling with change (and boy do babies put you through the change wringer!!) is to hear someone’s not so perfect stories and impressions of child rearing. Don’t get me wrong, McCarthy is clearly a loving, wonderful Mommy—but she’s real, and that makes her advice more credible to me in some ways.
McCarthy’s isn’t the only book of this kind. It falls into the same category as The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine or Jenny McCarthy’s Belly Laughs (and yes the similar names struck me as quite the coincidence as well). I will suggest The Parent Trip to friends and colleagues who will appreciate this genre and McCarthy’s wit and wisdom. Now, if only she would write a sequel about living with a toddler!