Author: Arlene Schusteff

ISBN:1-932279-41-5

The following review was contributed by: Sue Vogan:  To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here

This quick read is the gelastic gospel when it comes to living with kids. I just never knew anyone else had the same experiences!

"Kid 101" spells it out -- "you will not sleep. Not ever. Once you come to terms with this fact, life will be easier." And, when the kids want fast-food or candy, "No, McDonald's is closed today" and "The grocery store does not sell candy in the morning. It's a law" is the only way out.

Ms. Schusteff dispels the myths that the television doesn't make a good babysitter and dressing like "crap" is unacceptable. Starbucks is 'me time' and well-deserved. There's no one there calling anyone "MOOOOOOMMMMY"

The "eight surefire ways to make a mom's blood boil" is right on target. "After waiting in line for an hour to see a movie, watch the previews and then announce, "I'm bored, I want to go" and "walk over and around the towel on the bathroom floor. Do not, under any circumstances, pick it up."

The "seven wonders of a modern mom's world" shares what every parent experiences. "Your children have the ability to program themselves to get sick the weekend they're supposed to stay at grandma's." Or, "your child will only speak to you when you're in the bathroom or on the phone."

There are descriptions of various moms that one might meet up with when the little darlings go off to school. You will never be a room-mother or fund raiser volunteer without recognizing the moms described here. It's fall-down funny and ever so true.

My favorite chapter is something I can personally relate to. It's titled "Life in Boyville." For anyone who has a son, you won't want to miss the Jake experience -- it's almost as if you can mark the moment this little boy crosses over to young-manhood. And, Ms. Schusteff did not leave the little girls out. Rachel shows the signs of womanhood while still in a ten-year old body -- a shopping trip that many may relate to.

The moment I read "never in a million years did I think I would ever..." I laughed so hard that it brought tears to my eyes. The author claims she never though she would ever -- "spend and evening debating who is prettier, Pocahontas or Ariel, the Little Mermaid, try to get a "stuck doody" out of my kid's rear end, or think of going to the bathroom as "me time."

This would make a wonderful gift for any mom -- expecting, new or experienced. If you have thought of having a child -- this is the book to read before taking the final vote.

Arlene Schusteff and her husband, Howard, live in a Chicago suburb. Their two children, Rachel and Jake, seem to be the inspiration for this humorous look at what it's really like to live with kids.