House of Testosterone: One Mother's Survival in a Household of Males

by Sharon O'Donnell

Though serious enough to provide thoughtful discussion about male psychology and marital stress, this book makes humor—based on real dialogue scribbled in notebooks over the years by the mother of three boys—the main event. Bewilderment and hilarity slosh together as the author contemplates never-ending bathroom jokes, bemoans her family's persistence in calling intermission at the theater "half time," and shares her tips for surviving unbearable vacations in the RV. In the end, this plucky, lighthearted story of a rowdy household is a lesson in forsaking unrealistic expectations and tackling each day with a sense of adventure.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Parenting

195 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jen Kosegi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't learn much, just an occasional chuckle. Author's cutesy writing style quickly became grating.

[Carolyn S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, especially since I too had three sons. You can relate to a lot of what Sharon struggles with. Luckily I had dogs and cats that were female.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A woman surrounded by males, Sharon’s life has become dominated by sports, laundry and camping. The only woman in her household, this book details some of her daily struggles in getting her boys to talk, to be emotional and cultured. I found this collection of accounts to be realistic, but also a bit unnerving; Ms O’Donnell complains about being the only woman in her household a lot – almost too much. While some of her accounts are amusing nothing was particularly laugh-out-loud funny to me. I think that my favorite part of the whole book was the last chapter where she discusses the importance of children to their parents and the love that it shared. Being a mother of a boy (and the only female in my household), I had imagined more moments of hilarity than there actually were within these pages. I also found that this book lacked detailing of the special bond between mothers and sons. Overall, it was interesting but not a book I would read again or recommend.

[AJ Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have access to a random lending library on this trip, so I’m reading random stuff. I took this off the shelf because I figured as a parent of three I could commiserate, and thank my lucky stars I don’t have three boys.

This one was ok, with some funny stories and some heartwarming stuff, but it was pretty repetitive and pretty cliche as far as gender roles and understanding of gender roles, which I found annoying (though don’t doubt the realism of the stories the author tells). But, admire the author for trying (sometimes) to push back against the roles.

Anyway, easy and fast read that was ok.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a compulsion that obliges me to finish any book I have started, no matter how bad. This book is the exception to that rule. There is no "edge" to this book, nothing that makes it funny or exceptional in any way.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It's important that we Moms fulfill the other parts of who we are in order to be the best people we can be, which also makes us the best mothers we can be.

[Tiffany Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable to any mom of boys. As a mom of 3 boys myself, I have experienced many of the same events with my husband and boys. A must read!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Jessi Koontz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a mother of 4 children, 3 of whom are boys, this book called to me. I was ready for a light read, full of funny anecdotes on life in a houseful of males.

I was disappointed....

While I could relate to a lot of Sharon's stories & have definitely felt the brunt of living in a house so full of testosterone, I just didn't really find this book that amusing. In fact, rather than a quick read, it seemed to drag on & on....

In the end, I feel I gave it a valiant effort, though I only made it about a third of the way through the book.

Full disclosure, I try my darndest to finish each & every book I begin. (True story) *BUT* as a mother of 4, who has an Etsy shop, a part-time job & a husband who is rarely home, my reading time is a hot commodity. I think @ this point, I judge books a bit more harshly. There are so many AMAZING books & in no way enough time to read them all, so I choose not to spend my time reading ones that I ding 'hum-drum'... (Also a true story. )

[Karen (Living Unabridged) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might make a good blog but doesn't really cut it as a book. My library had this shelved in the "humor" section but, while mildly amusing at times, it is never really laugh out loud funny. I suppose I might have felt differently if I had a houseful of sons. I'd call it more of a memoir or blog type book.

One more positive thing about this book: it made me want to go hug my husband and thank him for being the amazing guy he is. This author seems to love her husband but she also talks about him like he's one of the original neanderthals and more like a child than a partner, best-friend, equal, lover, or spouse.

Recommended for: moms who can identify.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by the mom of three stereotypical boys, I could relate to some of this humorous book and not so much to others. I don't really care for humor at the expense of others, and the author is a bit of a martyr and is pretty hard on her husband. It certainly made me happy that my sons are more renaissance types, interested in more than sports!! Not sure I'd recommend it to others--it was fun at first but then the humor grew a bit tiresome after awhile.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a really funny book. i was given it as a gift as i am about to have my second boy, but i think all married women would find this funny. her husband gets the worst beating of all in the book. i think many women could relate to the humor behind this book. she is a little harsh on her husband and the humor starts to get old towards the end, but i was laughing out loud in the beginning. definitely an entertaining read.

[Reesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts are good, and I can empathize with the author on a lot of it, but it starts reading like a list of complaints about males and it's just not amusing enough to distract from the misanthropy. I wanted to be interested, but I ended up giving up. It's mildly amusing but it just never drew me in enough to care what else the author had to say about the guys in her life, and there's no ongoing plot to keep me hooked as I wonder how things are going to conclude.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a mom of three boys, I really thought that this book was going to offer insight and tips. Not so much. It was like talking to a girlfriend and hearing all about her life. It was funny and insightful at some points, but it really was a long series of stories about this woman and her family of three boys. Interesting, but honestly, it was just like reading my own life. Nice to know that there are other moms out there with stories just like mine, but not what i expected.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book since I am outnumbered 3 to 1 by the boys in my house. Unfortunately, it wasn't all that great. It was more a series of short essays thrown together in a loose book format. Though it had a few good laughs, I found it to be very whiny and a bit depressing. It sounds like she just throws her hands up and gives up on a lot of issues with her boys. It sure made me appreciate what a great husband I have!

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just wanted to tell the author to teach her sons to do laundry, make a couple of girlfriends and take control of the remote every once in awhile. A friend gave me this book for the birth of my second son and I thought it would be a fun read. Mostly I just got annoyed (but I kept reading). I know there's prone to be some exaggeration, but it all just seemed really whiny to me.

[Lura Landon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book simply because I could relate! I have three boys...the author has three boys...I have a husband consumed by video games, history channel, and sports, and music, and movies, and she has a husband consumed by sports. I wish I had her mental stability though...she seems so much more together than I am! Hahaha!
Very funny, very real, very relative to me!

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last chapter made me incredibly choked up, but the ones leading up to it were basically a laundry list of male stereotypes -- boys love sports, smell bad, don't show their emotions, etc. I could definitely relate to some of what Sharon O'Donnell wrote, but I guess I was hoping that she'd go a little bit more beyond the stereotypes associated with raising boys.

[Leslie Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon O'Donnell is a writer and mother of three sons. This book is a humorous look at her struggle to remain sane while living in a house of males. She tackles issues like communicating with boys and breaking up fights, and shows the reader how to find joy in the midst of chaos.

[Ariane · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK!!! I would give this book six stars if I could. It made me laugh and then at the end it was really tender and made me cry a little. No matter if you have boys or girls, you will like this book. Some of the stuff in here is pretty universal parenting stuff.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a funny book depicting life for a woman alone in a household of males. I enjoyed reading it and realized halfway through the book that it actually takes place here in Raleigh, so that was cool too.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick read is a sometimes amusing account of a mother in a houseful of males - her 3 sons, husband and even the dog. She loved her role but was wistful for more feminine touches in her life, and, as with all busy households, a bit of peace and quiet.

[Wynnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick read. Made me laugh a few times. But also had some cheesy "advice" that should have been edited out. Would have been better to just stick to the silly stories. Great book to read on a flight for someone who has a house full of boys!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

HILARIOUS! The similarities between my life and Sharon's are uncanny! I laughed through the entire book--out-loud (just ask my husband). Very amusing and a fun, light read. Does it imply anything if my mother gave me this book? Hmmm....;)

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought I'd be able to relate, as I've always lived in housed full of men. Yuck! This book should have been titled "My Husband Has Never Grown Up and Acts Like a Jerk." Her sons would behave much better if they had a better role model.

[Migs Fiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, Sharon, for making me realize how big a headache I am to my mom. I'm a 15-year-old guy and this made me experience motherhood. An easy-read that will make you laugh, cry, and smile (but mostly laugh) at the same time. Everyone can relate.

P.S.: I also like The Wedding.

[Nicole T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm almost finished.. SO, SO, SO FUNNY! Sharon O'Donnell also has a support site: www.mothersofboys.org I recommend this book to all mothers of two or more boyS.

[Karen N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for those of us who can relate. I chuckled throughout - quick read between some heavier picks

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for mothers of boys. Funny.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking I could give it to my sister who has two boys. But this was awfully sophmoric.........all boys love sports! And so do their husbands! Blah blah.