Not only children need a time out!

Synopsis

It’s just a phase,’ they said. ‘These are the happiest years of your life,’ they said…

Mother of one and professional writer Saoirse (pronounced Seersha, not Searcy – thanks a bunch Game of Thrones!) is still adjusting to the demands of motherhood, four years after the birth of her daughter, Anna.

Living in the claustrophobic London suburb of Woodvale, and being surrounded by passive-aggressive mum-wars, isn’t helping. Neither is her increasingly pent-up anger at her once-perfect husband. Her only comrade in arms, best friend Bea, is the one thing keeping her sane.

When Saoirse’s agent asks her to pitch for a book, she is horrified to discover the topic is motherhood. How can she possibly write a ‘warts and all’ account of being a mother without giving away what it’s really like?

Laugh-out-loud funny, painfully well-observed, but with an unmistakable warmth and unforgettable characters, this is the perfect antidote to all those parenting bibles that bear absolutely no relation to real life. The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life…

My review

Saoirse is trying to combine her job as (mostly a ghost) writer and motherhood. She finds herself very possessive towards her daughter of 4, Anna.
Also is she surrounded by other mothers, who all know better and dare to scold anyone who does not follow their instructions. Yes, mum – wars really exists!

Saoirse finds herself feeling alone, as her husband is becoming more a frustrating issue rather than being a help around.
Luckily, she can count on her best friend Bea, always being by her side and being a mum herself, having the opportunity to vent about everything and everyone.

But when Saoirse’s agent ask her about writing a book how motherhood REALLY is, she is afraid. Is she really able to write it, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

So, first things first, I am not a mum myself, so I have absolutely no idea what is really means to be one.  Of course I have a clue about it, but I also know that it’s not all fun and games.
I can only  imagine what parents must go through with a baby/ young child.

This subject is a reality for many people, so it should not be taken lightly. Being a parent is the most important job in the world, and i assume every parent once in a while thinks if they are doing a good job.
And when you have a supporting husband and supporting friends, it can relieve you. But in Saoirse’s case, she is not.
Her husband is cause of many frustrations. And reading on a social media group how know – it – alls can make you mistrust yourself, it not helping.
The fears are real, as nobody wants to be a “victim” of a bunch of perfects mum, all ready to judge every little thing that you do.

But I had so much fun reading it! The way Saoirse is rebelling against the other mums, venting with Bea, it was making me laugh out loud.
And how Saoirse was finding her own way of parenting, not taking in accounts the opinions of the terrible mothers!
She even goes further, offering a helping hand to another mother.

There is no manual for raising a child, answering all your questions. Being a parent is a job you’re learning while you’re at it.
And as each child is different, a different approach is needed.

This  is the purpose of this book. There is no right or wrong way (generally speaking, of course you can be a REAL bad parent, but that’s not what I mean 😁). When you have the right people to rely on, asking for help or even to just vent about without judgements, it’s already a great help.

And just do your utterly best, and love your child, that’s all your child needs!