"Naptime is the New Happy Hour" book review

Here's an impression of me reading this new book by the gorgeous Stefanie Wilder-Taylor (and this is verbatum):

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!*GASP*HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!*GAAAAAAAAAASP* HAHAHAHHAHAHA! OH MY GOD I'VE SO BEEN THERE! AHAHAHAHAHHAHA! *GASP!* *reach for husband's Primatine Mist* HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA! OH SHE HAS A KID LIKE MINE! HAHAHAHAHHAHA *wipe tears from eyes* *wonders if we could be new BFFs*

That literally continued for the course of the book.

Ms. Wilder-Taylor writes in a manner that makes you feel like you're not reading a book, but rather an email from a good friend. Or a blog by a supremely funny woman. Which of course, she is: Baby on Bored. It's more than a been there, done that sort of book, she's there *now* and she's doing it *now* and for those of us with toddlers, that feels really helpful. Plus it's nice to know that we're not the only ones who see "Dora" more than our own friends and family.

I enjoyed the fact that when she gives advice, it's not lofty, it's commonsensical (which totally isn't a word but I don't care, I like it). Again, she reads like the buddy that we all wish we had. She is the one who is not afraid to tell you that it'd OK for your kid to like Backyardigans instead of Nine Inch Nails and that they're still really hip in toddlerville if Diego is on their shirt instead of Che Guevara. One of the best things she says is "Your time is past, it's your child's turn". (not a verbatum quote). Also I really liked the part about the male flight attendant that got fired for giving a screaming child Xanax in his juice during a long screaming flight.(page 75) 'Cos seriously? I have so thought about spiking the Capri Sun with a little Nyquil a few thousand times myself.

Also? "New Mommy Math". No it's not new algebra that your fourth grader is assigned and about which you know absolutely nothing it's how to figure out how much some smugass superior Mom is lying to you. Example? (direct quote from the book, page 34): "When Smug Mama (and don't we all know one or twelve of these?) tells you straight to your face that she absolutely allows only one hour of mind-enriching educational TV a day, just go ahead and add two hours. If she tells you 'No TV ever!' add six. It's that simple." She goes on to use this procedure for everything from cookies to housecleaning and really, it makes everyone feel so much better.

This book is for all moms who feel overwhelmed (with frustration and love), who feel completely alone in the suburbs (except for Lisa Loeb's questionable company), who just want to be a grownup still, who don't mind a little libation to keep things sane, who also feel like they'll never get their groove back, who also wear Isaac Mizrahi...the Target line, who want a friend that gets it. Basically, she nails it. Something tells me she's going to acquire a whole new slew of stalkers...er... fans with this one because she makes you feel like she's a normal person just like you. Or me.

Here's the link because you do not want to waste any time in getting this book. Just be sure to have your inhaler ready.