The perfect Mother’s Day gift
My big sister just published her first book, so I hope you will permit me a bit of boasting on her behalf. My obvious bias won’t prevent me from saying that When Did I Get Like This? by Amy Wilson is funny, insightful, and moving, and the perfect gift for the moms (or dads) in your life.
The book is a collection of essays about Amy’s experiences as a mother striving for perfection, in the face of ever more unreasonable standards (and the special pressures of Manhattan parenthood). I’ve been watching her work on it for the past year, and I was of course around to witness many of the stories contained therein. She’s captured the personalities of my nephews and niece (and the rest of the family) perfectly. I’m even mentioned once or twice. But reading my copy of the finished product, I still found myself laughing as though it were a stranger’s story — something I could identify with apart from my familiarity with the main players (and non-parent status). So I’m very eager to recommend it to all of you. You can read more about Amy and the book here, and check the calendar to see whether she’ll be in your area anytime soon.
Amy also contributed an essay to Babble.com this week you might enjoy, called “All I Really Needed to Know: Life Lessons from My Son’s Pre-K.” A sample:
It’s Not Nice to Say the “S” Word
“I know the ‘S’ word,” my son reported at dinner one night. I almost choked on my hamburger. Then, before I could stop him, he announced, “It’s ‘stupid.’” I was, obviously, rather relieved. But my seven-year-old was horrified. “It’s not nice to say the ‘S’ word!” he hissed, looking at me with wide eyes, wondering if there was any punishment in existence cruel and unusual enough for this extraordinary crime. To me, saying “stupid” was a little deal. But for my two sons, who have not yet become acquainted with the real “S” word, it’s a pretty big one. And they’re right. Words like “stupid” and “dumb” and “lame” are not allowed in pre-K, and they shouldn’t be allowed in my home either. They hurt feelings, plus, they’re… stupid — or at least not very creative. Since then, I have become much more aware of using any sort of put-down words either to or in front of my children. I’ve been surprised by how often they want to spring to my lips.
Mollie, I can attest that we’ve had the “s-word” conversation around our dinner table (and in the mini-van) more than once.
The book looks like the perfect thing for my wife!
Sounds like your sister has written an entertaining book, Mollie.
A very funny (and often razor sharp, unsentimental) book about motherhood is Shirley Jackson’s “Life Among the Savages.” (yes she of “The Lottery” fame).
A co-worker lent me his well-worn copy one time saying, “Whenever you tell stories about your son, I always think you must be this kind of mom.” I read it with some trepidation, but in the end, I felt it was really quite a compliment. I loved the book.
Clearly there is more than one talented writer in your family, Mollie.
Congratulations to your sister, and I look forward to reading this! Love the cover. What a riot.
Congratulations, favorable comments on Amazon too. Your big sister has given you the opportunity to grace her children with your motherly ways.
Sounds like a great book, my mom would love it. I just ordered it from amazon. If anyone else wants to buy it u can just use this link.
nevermind, the link doesn’t work. just got to the site and search