Book Review: Because I Said So by Dawn Meehan

Because I Said So: and Other Tales from a Less-Than-Perfect Parent

Author: Dawn Meehan

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Paperback: 384 pages 

Published: May 3, 2011

Amazon Summary: 

Yes, there are times when it’s appropriate to reason with your child, to patiently and eloquently explain why he or she needs to do as you ask. You might present convincing arguments like “Because it makes you strong”; “Because it will keep you safe”; “Because it’s good for you”; “Because it’s bad for you.” But there are times when the only thing that really makes sense is . . . “Because I said so!!”

This book is a hilarious, honest romp through motherhood—the joys, the sleeplessness, the frazzled days, the unending carpooling, the in-house refereeing, the dieting (yeah, right), the worrying—and did we say, the joy?

Here’s what some of that joy looks like—with excerpts straight from the book:

• I tried to do the Buns of Steel video, but quickly realized that it wasn’t intended for people who have buns of pudding.

• I felt like my head might explode. I kind of hoped it would so I could take a nice, peaceful ambulance ride out of there.

• I was a little at a loss. I mean, those parenting books don’t tell you how to break up a fight over an imaginary friend.

• Moms aren’t allowed to get sick more than one day a year. Single moms aren’t allowed to get sick ever.

• Before you have children you can’t imagine yourself saying things like “Don’t put chocolate milk in your pants,” “Take the hot dog out of your nose,” or “Because I said so!”

If you’re a mom-to-be or a mom in the trenches, you’ll love knowing that you’re not the only one out there who sometimes just figures it out as you go along—and sometimes can’t figure it out at all. But in the end, Dawn has these words of encouragement just for you: “Enjoy this time. Even when they make you crazy, these are the best days of your life.” And they really are, aren’t they?

My thoughts:

Although, this book wasn't groundbreaking, it was a short and fun read. Dawn is a Mommy Blogger of...wait for it....SIX kids....Not only is she a mom of six kids, she is also a SINGLE mom. Whoah. Chew on that for a quick second. Some days I feel completely crazed and I only have ONE kid and a husband on top of that.  

I normally review YA, fiction or memoirs, but occasionally I like to throw a parenting-type-sorta-memoir-sorta-lament-with-me in there. This book was funny, however it did feel slightly cliched. If you're looking for some fun and cute anecdotes then this is the book for you. The wit wasn't acerbic or biting (like I like my writing to be), but I still enjoyed it. 

Her tales are what any parent would identify with....Exploding diapers, mountains of laundry and oh....the smells. I think the next time I'm pregnant, I will check out her other book "You'll Lose The Baby Weight". 

Teaser: 

“Today's laundry day.” Laundry day? They have a day, singular, dedicated to doing laundry? Just one day? I don't have laundry day; I have laundry life.

I think this might be my favorite line from a book I've read....EVER. 

Judge a Book By It's Cover: Not my favorite, but I can see the parenting market that it would appeal to. However, I love the title and the ?sub? title....is that what it's called?

  3 Stars!

Dawn's Blog / Dawn's Twitter 

 Amazon / GoodReads  / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

*Disclosure: I received a review copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster. All thoughts and opinions are my own.