STFU, Parents: The Jaw-Dropping, Self-Indulgent, and Occasionally Rage-Inducing World of Parent Overshare

by Blair Koenig

Are you a parent? Do you have friends who are parents? Do you have parents? Then chances are you’ve been exposed to the growing online phenomenon known as overshare.

From posting photos of baby’s first poo and the intricacies of placental crafts to sanctimommies declaring their child the most beautiful kid in the world and criticizing the parenting skills of fellow Facebook “friends,” STFU, Parents collects the most bizarre, hilarious, and horrifying examples of oversharing on the web. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll cringe at detailed descriptions of baby’s first blowout, but one thing’s for You’ll never look at parenting the same again.

Genres: Humor, Parenting, Nonfiction, Comedy

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2013

Reviews

[Jessica Gottlieb]

Absolutely hysterical. I read it mostly in the stand at Little League and ended up passing it around for the other moms to read and enjoy.

No really. She DID announce her pregnancy on Facebook... to her friends... and it surprised her husband.

And before you judge just remember what it's like to function with no sleep.

I only laughed this much because it coulda been me.

[Maggie]

Side-splitting, tear inducing hilarity!! Loved every minute of it. I have been a fan of the blog for a long time and I knew what I was getting into. Koenig takes some of the best parts of the blog and breaks it all down into 33 hilarious chapters, continuing the awesome, smart and funny commentary. I think that's what really makes this book! I "lol'ed" several times and had to mark pages to go back to and read when I need laugh.

I am a parent, and will admit I am probably guilty of some parental oversharing on facebook. But, man, this book made me feel SO good about myself! Some of the things people post for all the world to see, it's so outrageous! I can't even wrap my head around it.

This is great read if you are looking for something funny and entertaining. Perfect for a plane ride, or beach trip! I think it should be required reading for all moms, moms-to-be and people who someday might have kids. And if you don't ever plan on having kids, what could be better than reading

[Kara Prem]

I have been a fan of the STFU, Parents site for years, and this book captures all of the crazy forms of over share that are out there on social media today. It was a quick and easy read, that left me laughing, shrieking and thinking "what were you thinking" all within the space of a chapter! I not only read this book for entertainment, but as a way to remind myself of what I should never ever post on Facebook! I'm glad to say, I've never felt the urge to post a picture of what my children left in the toilet, but it is a little scary that there are people like that out there.

If you want a laugh, or if you're concerned that you may be a candidate for STFU, Parents, please read this book!

[Alison LaMarr]

I think the premise is entertaining and relevant but the delivery was poor. Her personal commentary was crass, vulgar and occasionally mean spirited (edited to add--maybe not mean, but sometimes just ignorant of what motherhood is actually like and therefore too judgemental or shallow). I did laugh out loud several times, mostly because of the examples and not her insights. I credit her with putting names to the types of parent overshare and compiling the submissions but I look forward to a deeper more interesting commentary of the interchange between parenting and social media.

[Terrie]

I'm an avid reader of the blog, but was disappointed in the book. The majority of the material was repeats from blog entries, and there were no photo entries (well, that was a plus in the case of disgusting ones I guess!)

[Alex]

A quick funny read all about parents who overshare online with lots of real examples sent in to the author.

[Grace]

HILARIOUS. dont judge me for being judgy. just this evening a woman was trying to negotiate with her screaming toddler on the floor of Panera. i just wanted some soup. we don't negotiate with terrorists. it's time to go.
in a society that is slowly sinking into the sea of entitlement, it's refreshing that Ms Koenig can say what we are all thinking. motherhood doesn't need to be a sanctimonious martyr filled battle ground. and people can still know about love and pride without having children.
this book is a breath of fresh air in a stifling world of fading worldviews and courtesy

[Sarah]

The website these stories come from is one of my favorite. Parental overshare is a terrible thing, even if I indulge in it a bit myself. Unlike the people featured in this book, nothing I share involves bodily fluids or poop.

Most of the humor comes from the insane things that some people choose to put on the internet about their kids (and pregnancy, and labor, and placentas, and....etc).

I find it hilarious and eyeopening.

[Jeanne]

There are things that happen to you in this world, and then there are the things you'll actually share with your friends. Unfortunately, some parents can't distinguish between the two. For years Koenig has kept parents in check on the web, and now she's taken her lessons to the bookshelves. This should be required pregnancy reading for years to come.

[Alia]

I really enjoy the blog STFU parents and laughing at all the ridiculous things parents share on Facebook and other social media websites. While I enjoyed the book and it made me laugh, I wish that the author had new content in the book. Overall, it's a funny book and makes me glad that I don't act like these parents.

[Alicia]

This book is ok. It's an easy read and is funny, but not laugh out loud funny. I found the childcare/parental quotes relatable, which made it funny, but it was very simple and I didn't feel like I got much out of it. It doesn't play with your emotions, but would be a good beach read. It's a light read. I wasn't left feeling amazed or in awe, but it was ok.

[Susan]

I thought this book was going to be funny, and sometimes it was, but mostly in parts that the author lifted straight from FB/ emails that other people wrote, not her own words. I honestly just was bored by most of this book, which surprised the shit out of me, because the idea of it is right up my alley. Reading it did give me hope that anyone can get a book contract, though. One star.

[Sue-Ellen]

Still laughing after finishing this book! If you have ever had one of those WTF moments when reading a mommy update her FB or Twitter status you need to get this book! It will keep you in stitches!

[Erica]

Just like the blog, Blair's book is hilarious! No cheap shots or muffled insults, she simply shows the readers the ridiculousness that is parental over share on Facebook. How refreshing for someone to actually say what we have all felt at one time or another! Thanks for the solidarity Blair!!

[Lex]

A fun read, with some laugh out loud moments and submissions that really capture the essence of the blog. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't a section on 'yoonique' baby names though! Where were Vadgesty and Vagena?!

[Jaim]

Entertaining as always! I'm always amazed at what parents post on social media. There were a few entries in the book that I have read on her site before. I would have loved to see more examples/excerpts in the book, especially fresh/new content.

[Kristen]

I was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, I found very few of the Facebook posts funny. For the most part, reading this made me very sad, frustrated and confused over the current state of humanity.

[Lenore]

Although I was familiar with most of the material from reading posts on her site, I enjoyed her commentary and the structure of the book. I borrowed this from the library, but I don't know if I would've read it if I couldn't have found a library copy.

[Sarah]

Koenig's commentary is pretty funny. I'd read a non-STFU parents book by her.

[Lindsey]

Hilarious, cringe-worthy, and relatable!

[Kati]

Very funny, quick read.

[Kathelijne]

Zowel om hardop mee te lachen als te kokhalzen. Blij dat ik zo geen vrienden heb!

[Katrina V.]

Hah! Lots of LOLing.

[Marisa Altabet]

Hilarious book, but if you read the blog regularly it was a little redundant. I was hoping for some new material.

[LJ]

Funny, but I think I'd recommend just reading the blog. Not something I'd buy.

[Krista]

As other's have already mentioned, if you read or have read the blog, this book is nothing new. I was expecting more.

[Jessica]

I've been reading the STFU blog for three years and I love it. A lot of material in the book is taken from the blog, but it's still enjoyable in a "greatest hits" way. This was fun.

[Sera]

A quick, funny read about crazy parents who have no filter. A good reminder to parents to fight the urge to say everything about your child online.

[Jana]

Very funny

[Amanda]

Would have been funnier with pictures